What kind of leadership is needed for European societies to achieve more inclusive communities based on civic participation of all its citizens? How to support vulnerable groups in realizing their potential as full citizens? How to train social leaders to facilitate this process? How to teach the required skills to students in higher education?

Leadership for social transformation

Ken Blanchard writes that it is necessary to modify the existing definitions of leadership since they are insufficient. Leadership should not be described only as the process of influencing people. In his definition of leadership he explains, that it is: „an ability to influence people through unlocking their strength and potential in order to enable them to pursue the greater good.” The  notion of „the greater good” refers to what is the best for all involved. Leadership becomes then a contemporary challenge to act for the benefit of other people (K. Blanchard, 2007, p. XIV).

What does it mean to be a leader? What is the best model of leadership for today’s world? How can Ignatian Leadership contribute to create responsible citizens ready for action for the greater good?

Working for a more inclusive society

Europe is characterized by a wide diversity of social groups. Minorities and newcomers often encounter barriers for active participation as citizens in public life. Democratic society depends on the inclusion of all subjects in the social fabric of its community. It is imperative to ease tensions between different groups and prevent negative externalities such as marginalisation, alienation and inactivity

How to shape and foster citizenship and social participation? How to provide the necessary conditions and institutional framework? What is the role of leaders in the process? What can be done from a Church perspective? What formation do we need for teachers, social workers, in social coaching and empowering vulnerable groups?

One of the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus refers to the task of: “Strengthening the leadership of the poor and excluded: What place in our social plans is occupied by the most excluded groups (migrants, women, youth, the vulnerable of our societies)? Are these people only objects of our mission or, on the contrary, are we opening spaces where they are subjects who have leadership of the processes of liberation?”. These questions presented by Father General Arturo Sosa are in line with the notion of “the greater good” mentioned above and it needs to be further explored.

Leadership formation and education

The conference seeks to explore the criteria for, and the processes leading to the realization of full citizenship participation for all groups in society. By offering a forum for sharing thoughts and best practices, it aims to stimulate an exchange between social leaders and facilitators. The lessons learnt should give way to new insights informing leadership education and formation.

How to coach the social leaders of tomorrow? What skills are required to respond to the needs of the marginalized? What pedagogical approaches are suitable for this purpose? What formation practice do they need?

In reference to the most current issues related to leadership, panels may focus on e.g. (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Ignatian Leadership – assumptions, philosophy, practice
• Leadership in contemporary organizations as a challenge in the 21^st century
• Trends in contemporary leadership concepts
• Leadership in a multicultural world – intercultural management
• Education and its impact on shaping leadership competences
• Leadership and socio-cultural problems
• Globalization and challenges arising from it in the context of leadership
• Key values and attitudes of leaders in the 21^st century
• Leadership in the process of social integration

In reference to the most current issues related to leadership, workshops may focus on e.g.:

• Visions of European society
• Policies of reduction of poverty and inequalities
• Fields of action for excluded groups · How to intervene? · What skills to develop?
• Multicultural Educational Environment
• Ignatian leadership in practice of social integration
• Leadership training for social action
• Teachers formation and challenges in education

Scientific Committee
Prof. Eva Ambrozova, Newton College/University of Defence, Czech Republic
Prof. Maciej Bernasiewicz, Univesrity of Silesia, Poland
Dr Krzysztof Biel SJ, Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow, Poland
Prof. Adriano Ciani, University of Perrugia, Italy
Prof. Marek Konopczyński, University in Białystok, Poland
Prof. Caterina de Lucia, University of Foggia, Italy
Prof. David McCallum SJ, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, USA
Prof. dr hab. Andrzej Radziewicz-Winnicki, Społeczna Akademia Nauk
Dr Patrick Riordan SJ, Campion Hall, Oxford
Prof. Krzysztof Rubacha, Nicolas Kopernicus University in Torun, Poland
Prof. Joan Sorribes, Escola Universitaria Formatic, Barcelona, Spain
Prof. Artur Wołek, Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow, Poland

Organizing committee
Dr hab. Anna Królikowska – chair
Dr Marek Liszka – secretary

Members
Dr Agnieszka Knap-Stefaniuk
Dr Ewa Sowa-Behtane

Call for papers/workshops
deadline for submission: 15 April 2020
more info: marek.liszka@ignatianum.edu.pl
Download the application form