The JECSE Ignatian Leadership Programme is a formation programme aimed at those in leadership positions in Jesuit and Companion schools in Europe and the Near East. We are also open to welcoming collaborators from other Catholic schools in our region who are interested in discerning leadership
This is a year-long growth and learning experience for a peer group of school leaders committed to promoting Ignatian ways of working. Discernment is the integrating and guiding principle of the whole programme.
Registration is now open!
Please send your registration form to your Education Delegate by 08 January 2026.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: office@jecse.org
Aim
This programme is designed to help Ignatian leaders facilitate Spirit-led change.
A committed peer group of European Ignatian school leaders will develop their skills, understanding, and awareness of styles of leadership together, in an environment of mutual growth, trust, challenge and faith.
Objectives
- To resource people currently leading Jesuit & Ignatian schools.
- To offer not only theories, tools and knowledge, but also quality time away from the workplace, and a peer group in which to be inspired and refreshed.
- To engage with specifically Ignatian perspectives on leadership.
- To build on existing leadership skills, confidence and agility.
Programme Methodology
- The process is experiential, with a careful balance between theoretical input and practical applications. Individual reflection, prayer and group work are core to the modules.
- It is a deep engagement (as participants found on previous Ignatian Leadership Programmes: “This doesn’t feel like just another training course”).
- Discernment is the key theme: exploring the practice of individual and shared Examens, discernment in common and fostering a discerning culture.
- Connections are made between leadership theory, Jesuit education and the Spiritual Exercises and other Ignatian sources.
- There is a movement from “I” to “we”- fostering a spirit led organization with others. It is a personal and a corporate journey in service of the mission and the school community.
Intended impact
That participants, on completing the programme, will be able to:
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- integrate Ignatian leadership and discernment practices into all aspects of their work.
- cultivate Ignatian attitudes in themselves and their organizations: discernment, freedom, humility, consolation.
- feel equipped and skilled to use a wide range of leadership tools and practices.
- ‘lead together’: have a strong awareness of a common mission in Jesuit education in Europe. (The programme will be about growing a network of leaders who can draw on each other for ongoing support).
- be change-makers and catalysts of Spirit-led change.
ILP 2026/2027 Important Dates
08 January 2026 – Sending application forms to Education Delegates/ JECSE Director
January/February 2026 – Individual interviews with ILP Team members
19 February 2026, 16:00 CET – Inauguration – online meeting
09 – 13 March 2027 – Module 1 (Rodizio, Portugal)
between modules activities and online meeting
October 2026 – Module 2
between modules activities and online meeting
March 2027 – Module 3
The programme consists of three weekly training sessions organized in different locations:
Module I. Called as a leader to lead others – 09 – 13 March 2026 (Rodizio, Portugal)
Module II. Fostering a spirit-led organization – October 2026
Module III. Leading into unknown – March 2027
Sessions begin Monday evening and conclude after lunch on Friday. Each session includes time for large group presentations, individual and group exercises, small group conversations and time for personal prayer and reflection. Before and between modules Introductory webinar and small group online sharing sessions are provided.
Participants are also given assignments to carry out in their school communities, allowing them to test the acquired skills in practice. All planned activities foster the building of a learning community centred on Jesuit leadership.
Join Us – Stories From Those Who’ve Been There
Paul Yperman
ILP Coordinator
Former Education Delegate at the ELC and advisor to the Flemish Minister of Education. Served as President of JECSE from 2004 to 2010. An expert in Ignatian leadership, he coordinates formation programmes at the European level.
The content and process have been designed to suit the needs of people leading Catholic schools in Europe and the Near East. As the programme will be run through English a certain proficiency in English is required.
The number of participants is limited to 30.
Participation requires nomination from a School Head and/or Education Delegate (in case of Jesuit& companion schools). Nominees then complete a short registration form.
To register please fill in the application form and send to your Education Delegate no later than 08 January 2026. Representatives of non-Jesuit schools are sending their applications directly to office@jecse.org.
Total cost: €3,150, paid in 3 instalments (€1,050 each):
– 1st payment due by 15 March 2026,
– 2nd payment due by 15 October 2026,
– and 3rd payment due by 15 March 2027.
It includes: tuition, room and board (accomodation in single ensuite rooms), and all materials.
Travel costs are additional.
Online webinar and meetings – free of charge.
All cancellations must be submitted via email to the respective Education Delegate and the JECSE Director at office@jecse.org. Refunds are calculated based on the date the cancellation request is received.
1. Before the Start of the Programme
Before 15 February 2026
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Full refund of any fees paid
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No cancellation fee
2. After the Start of the Programme
A. Cancellation after 15 February 2026
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1st payment: Non-refundable
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2nd & 3rd payment: Not required
B. Cancellation after 15 September 2026
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1st & 2nd payment: Non-refundable
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3rd payment: Not required
C. Cancellation after 15 February 2027
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All rates (full €3,150): Due and non-refundable
3. Replacement Option
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Replacements are possible only before the Programme starts in March 2026.
We believed that limited financial resources should not prevent anyone from having the possibility to learn and grow through participation in various forms of formation.
Therefore, if you are willing and able to cover the cost of training for a person with limited resources – write to us. Any support, even partial, will be greatly appreciated!
Your donation can help those who would be excluded without such help.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: office@jecse.org
Journey Through Past ILP Modules
A Formation Journey to Be and to Act
“Leading into the unknown” a disconcerting slogan for the third module of the JECSE formation program for Ignatian leaders. But reflecting about it, it seems like a beautiful wish that contains the essence of our mission as human beings, as educators, as educators in...
Educators from JECSE schools are growing in their Ignatian leadership
To serve our common mission well together, we need to continually deepen our faith, develop our skills, and inspire and strengthen each other. To this end, 18 leaders of Jesuit and associated schools from Europe gathered for another week of formation in the European...
Called as a leader for and with others
Walk, don’t run. Slow down, breathe deeply, and open your eyes because there’s a whole world right here within this one. The bush doesn’t suddenly catch on fire, it’s been burning the whole time. (R. Bell)With this text as morning prayer, a new edition of the Ignatian...
This place is a happy place, because you’re here Impressions after the JECSE ILP
Silence on the bus after our visit to the JRS Telyani school in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. The group, consisting of 15 participants and the 5-person planning team, was lost in thoughts. The images of smiling children in the dark classrooms with sprayed heating and...