For #WorldFriendshipDay I thought what better way to showcase solidarity and the impact of both friendship and partnership across oceans than share Martha’s thoughts on her visit to Ireland in May.

At IJI we warmly welcomed Martha Phiri, advocacy officer & deputy director of @jced_malawi in Malawi. She was one of our keynote speakers at our Anniversary conference marking 80 years of Irish Jesuit missions and development work overseas.

JCED are one of our major partners focused on sustainability and climate justice and Martha spent the month on tour visiting Jesuit schools across Ireland giving talks on the amazing work in combating climate change as well as youth driven advocacy, disaster risk-preparedness and climate justice!

She writes:

Earlier this summer, the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED) joined Irish Jesuit International (IJI) to mark a momentous occasion—their 80th anniversary. As Acting Deputy Director and Advocacy Lead, I was privileged to be one of the keynote contributors at this commemoration, alongside the Irish President, Micheal D. Higgins, Ambassador to Tanzania, Nicola Brennan, Fr. Leonard Chiti SJ, Provincial of the Southern Africa Jesuit Province, IJI’s Director, Fr. John Guiney SJ, Tony O’Riordan and Mrs Rose Goodstadt. Their collective reflections honored a legacy of enduring partnership and challenged all present to forge new paths toward ecological justice and inclusive development.

For JCED, the celebration was more than just a commemoration of years; it was a heartwarming encounter with solidarity, a reaffirmation of shared values, and a testament to the global Jesuit mission of caring for others and our common home.

In my speech I wanted to capture the very heartbeat of IJI’s impact on the ground and share how IJI’s support has empowered rural communities in Malawi to confront the twin crises of food insecurity and environmental degradation. I emphasized that development must always prioritize the dignity and lived experiences of the poor and urged the global community to scale local solutions, uphold climate justice, and reaffirm our collective commitment to building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Throughout my visit, what stood out most was the unmatched hospitality offered by the IJI team and every individual I encountered. This warmth made the experience not only memorable but deeply meaningful. Beyond the anniversary itself, I also engaged in inspiring exchanges with Jesuit schools across Ireland. I was deeply moved by the students’ enthusiasm for climate action and their solidarity with communities in Malawi.

Their generous fundraising has translated into eco-stoves, bicycles, and, most importantly—hope.

These young advocates reminded me that the future of our planet lies in the hands of a generation that is not only informed but impassioned

Martha with Belvedere students

JCED also held strategic engagements with key partners such as Trócaire Ireland and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. In those conversations, I had the opportunity to share JCED’s work of  planting  seeds of hope amid the climate crisis—empowering communities and young people in Malawi to see and create resilience where there is despair.

I made a point to emphasize that real change begins in local communities but must be echoed in global forums.

My interactions with the Laudato Si’ Team and young climate activists reaffirmed a shared call to action: the urgent need for a global fossil fuel phase-out, climate finance, and bold, justice-driven commitments.

As I return home, I carry with me more than notes and photos—I carry renewed purpose, stronger alliances, and a reaffirmed sense that we are not alone.

Our work at JCED is part of a global fabric of compassion and justice, woven through relationships like those nurtured in Ireland. Together, we are sowing the seeds of hope in the face of adversity.

The 80th anniversary of Irish Jesuit International was not just a celebration of the past—it was a reaffirmation of a living, evolving mission. A mission rooted in tradition, lived through solidarity, and driven by the enduring Jesuit value of being “men and women for others.” Across borders, hearts, and hopes, it is a mission that continues to grow.

A shared mission. A common home. One heart!

To find out more about JCED and our climate action projects, click: here