The Ten-Year Vision of Sankt Ignatios Foundation
Sankt Ignatios Foundation is responsible for Sankt Ignatios College (which consists of both Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola and the Stockholm School of Eastern Christian Studies), offering folkbildning (adult education), academic studies and research. The operations are based on the core values of both Swedish folkbildning and the academic world.
Innovation and optimism for the future
Characterised by innovation and optimism, Sankt Ignatios is an educational institution in Sweden that constantly strives for development. The educational institution contributes to new knowledge, meaning-making and integration in Sweden and Europe.
Our unique and distinctive starting point makes us a world leader in Eastern Christian studies and generates results that benefit society through alternative ways of thinking and deep expertise in the history and development of the Eastern Churches.
Our perspectives help people get a second chance – for those who have fled oppression, violence and poverty, as well as for those who have ended up in unemployment, social exclusion or crime.
This makes the school an attractive partner for both researchers and societal actors.
Cross-border collaboration
Our campus promotes academic and educational encounters, knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration, where several traditions meet in research, studies and personal relationships. Proximity creates a sense of inclusion and fosters a dynamic and open culture where we celebrate each other's successes.
In the relationship between students and teachers, and with the humility that education brings, a mutual respect for each other's traditions is created. In such a community, the art of being many grows forth.
Sankt Ignatios in the Future
Diversity and inclusion as a foundational perspective
Sankt Ignatios has a holistic view of the individual and safeguards everyone's right to education. Therefore, we promote education at all levels and support students from general courses to postgraduate studies.
Diversity is not merely an idea; it is a reality throughout the world today. Diversity without inclusion leads to exclusion, whereas diversity combined with inclusion strengthens civil society and democracy.
Diversity and inclusion require various forms of education and a decentralised structure that broadens recruitment and participation. This in turn leads to a broader view of quality and opportunities – for both civil society and the church.
The diversity within Sankt Ignatios strengthens our own knowledge development while simultaneously creating added value for our partners.
Through our commitment to the region and the municipality, we continue to support Stockholm County and Södertälje as a region where knowledge and diversity are its strength.
Community and diversity in church and society
Sweden and Europe are undergoing major changes, not least as people are displaced from their home countries due to war and persecution. The geographical location of the school in Södertälje provides unique opportunities to bring together the Eastern churches.
The Eastern Churches have not previously had their own educational institution in Sweden, which makes the school a unique and distinct player within theological education. From here, Sankt Ignatios emerges as a new starting point for both education and worldview.
Within the Orthodox world, Sankt Ignatios represents a new starting point in the ongoing work for unity between the Oriental and Byzantine Churches.
Sankt Ignatios invests in creativity, innovation and development. Through meaningful and research-based knowledge, as well as dedication and an ethical approach, we help to better equip our students to meet contemporary and future challenges.
Security, trust and confidence create the conditions for drive and courage, as well as the risk-taking required for breakthroughs in knowledge.
Sankt Ignatios is a new starting point that gives voice to more perspectives and experiences, empowering more people to take responsibility for society and the future.
Culture and dialogue with many truths…
Sankt Ignatios is not a church, but a meeting place for many different churches where they can meet on equal terms. It is also a meeting place for people with different backgrounds. This enables freedom of conversation and stimulates dialogue.
Discussion forums and dialogue are tools that permeate all parts of Sankt Ignatios – including pedagogy, initiatives, the approach to research and the organisational structures. Education involves an increased ability to understand the conversation from the other person's perspective, which creates a trusting dialogue that leads to mutual understanding and new opportunities.
Dialogue without education leads to conflict and division, whereas dialogue with education leads to participation in the other person's circumstances.
Dialogue with education makes Sankt Ignatios a secure meeting place where staff and students are able to participate in a culture of education where listening is just as important as speaking, where understanding the other person is just as important as making oneself understood, and where mutual understanding is just as important as critical scrutiny.
...but with preserved security and courage
Sankt Ignatios works to promote a sustainable and healthy working environment, which helps make the school an attractive employer where good leadership at all levels inspires employees to develop.
The school is characterised by an inclusive culture where equality, diversity and equal opportunities are a matter of course.
Sankt Ignatios' identity and visibility are created jointly by staff, students and alumni. We compete successfully for external funding, are in high demand and take our place on the national and international stage.
The school's staff have good networks and are influential in external bodies where strategic issues are discussed and decisions are made.
Our autonomy gives us the courage to make long-term and strategic decisions.
Students and staff, together with our partners, are realising our vision – by making what we do tomorrow even better than what we do today.
