The 2016 Jesuit Task Force Report on “Justice in the Global Economy:” An Alysis, Implications and Actions for Jesuit Business Schools

In early 2016, the Society of Jesus released a Task Force Report titled, “Justice in the Global Economy.” It was issued by the Secretariats for Social Justice & Ecology and for Higher Education. The signatories of the 42 page report, sub-titled “Building Sustainable and Inclusive Communities,” were Michael Garanzini, S.J. (Secretary for Higher Education) and Patxi Alvarez, S.J. (Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology). Much of the Report, however, had been drafted by a committee of seven persons who represented all six Jesuit conferences (i.e., geographic regions of governance of the Society of Jesus) and who drew upon their own insights supplemented by the counsel of dozens of other colleagues with expertise in economics and social sciences. The Report is characterized as a “reflection” (Society of Jesus, 2016, p. 6) to assist the many Jesuit institutions around the world in their quest “for greater justice.” The Report anticipates that “what is said here will be developed more fully by groups linked with the Society of Jesus in light of the challenges arising in different regions and local situations” (Society of Jesus, 2016, p. 6). In the spirit of that appeal, this essay summarizes and analyzes some of the key dimensions of the Report, adds some additional theoretical context, applies its observations to the domain of Jesuit business schools, especially those operating in North America, and provides a series of steps for transformative action.