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"...we must write our new history in the future...the past events are like a teacher to us, teaching us not to have any hatred towards anyone...not to incite violence or new conflict..." said the Chief of Aldeia Mauk, who returned to his village with others from a camp for displaced people in Dili. The regular visits by the JRS Timor Leste team sought the support and welcome of the receiving community in order to ensure a smooth and safe passage towards reintegration. It meant overcoming differences and disputes. "From hostility lead us to hospitality." All across the region, de facto refugees – refugees, asylum seekers, landmine survivors, people displaced due to natural and environmental disasters and by so-called development or investment projects, migrant workers and so on – are looking for a place of welcome. They share the same dreams and hopes as the rest of humanity. Could our immensely resourceful civilisation make a home of hospitality by creating political, economic and socio-cultural development policies that provide for the integral wellbeing or wholeness of millions in the region? We must "write our new history" of humanity so that people will not need to run away anymore.

Bernard Arputhasamy SJ, JRS Asia Pacific Director
(from the JRS 2008 Annual Report)