Jesuiten-Flüchtlingsdienst Deutschland

Jesuiten-Flüchtlingsdienst Deutschland (JRS Germany) is the German national office of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), an international Catholic humanitarian organization founded in November 1980 by Pedro Arrupe SJ, then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, in response to the plight of Vietnamese boat refugees. JRS Germany operates as part of this global network, which is present in over 50 countries, and is dedicated to accompanying, serving, and advocating for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. In Germany, JRS focuses on practical support for refugees and migrants. Its activities include legal counseling (Rechtsberatung), hardship case counseling (Härtefallberatung), participation counseling (Partizipationsberatung), and the Accompany project, which pairs young migrants and apprentices with volunteer mentors for one year to help with language, vocational, and social integration. JRS Germany also provides pastoral care (Seelsorge) for refugees in reception centers, supports church asylum (Kirchenasyl), and runs educational and language programs. The organization is based in Berlin and works across several German cities and states, including Brandenburg. JRS Germany is part of the Jesuit Refugee Service, which was founded in 1980 and has since grown into a global humanitarian organization. The German office carries out JRS's mission in the German context, responding to the needs of refugees and advocating for their rights. It is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Society of Jesus and relies on donations and volunteer support. Its work is guided by the values of compassion, justice, and solidarity with the marginalized. Through its programs, JRS Germany aims to accompany refugees on their journey, serve their practical and spiritual needs, and defend their rights in society. The organization publishes an Info-Brief newsletter and an annual report, and engages in lobbying and public advocacy. It also offers a range of events and exhibitions to raise awareness about migration issues. As part of the global JRS network, JRS Germany collaborates with other JRS offices, including JRS Switzerland, and contributes to the international mission of the Jesuit Refugee Service.

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) was founded in November 1980 by Pedro Arrupe SJ, then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, in response to the humanitarian crisis of Vietnamese boat refugees. After the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese fled their homes, many perishing at sea. Moved by media images, Arrupe issued a letter to all Jesuit provinces calling for a coordinated response to the refugees' plight. This marked the beginning of JRS as an international Catholic organization dedicated to accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees. JRS Germany (Jesuiten-Flüchtlingsdienst Deutschland) operates as the German national office of this global network. While the exact founding date of the German office is not specified in the available evidence, it is part of JRS's expansion into national offices worldwide. The German branch has since developed a range of programs tailored to the German context, including legal counseling, hardship case counseling, participation counseling, and the Accompany project for young migrants and apprentices. It also provides pastoral care in reception centers, supports church asylum, and engages in advocacy and lobbying. Over the years, JRS Germany has grown to address the evolving needs of refugees and migrants in Germany, particularly in Berlin and Brandenburg. Its work is rooted in the Jesuit tradition of service and justice, and it collaborates with other JRS offices, such as JRS Switzerland. The organization publishes an Info-Brief newsletter and an annual report, and organizes events and exhibitions to raise awareness about migration issues. As part of the global JRS network, JRS Germany continues to accompany refugees on their journey, serve their needs, and defend their rights.

• 1980

  Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) founded by Pedro Arrupe SJ in November, in response to Vietnamese boat refugees.

• JRS Germany established as the German national office of JRS.

• Accompany project launched to mentor young migrants and apprentices in Berlin.

A faith-based humanitarian organization accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees and migrants in Germany.

• Legal counseling

  Provides legal advice to refugees on asylum and residence issues.

• Hardship case counseling

  Assists refugees with hardship case applications.

• Participation counseling

  Supports refugees in participating in social and political life.

• Accompany project

  Pairs young migrants and apprentices with volunteer mentors for one year to support integration.

• Pastoral care

  Provides spiritual and pastoral support to refugees in reception centers.

• Church asylum support

  Supports church asylum cases and provides information on the practice.

• Education and language programs

  Offers language courses and educational activities for refugees.

• Lobbying and advocacy

  Advocates for refugee rights at political and public levels.

1. 1Flüchtlingsdienstjrs-germany.org
2. 2Accompany Projektjrs-germany.org
3. 3Unsere Geschichtejrs-germany.org
4. 4Informationen für junge Migrant: innenjrs-germany.org
5. 5Wikidatawikidata.org