The Ateneo Center for Environment & Sustainability (ACES) officially commenced the Pre-Deployment Program of IñIGO Batch 2026, marking the beginning of a transformative journey that will prepare participants for a meaningful forthcoming immersion experience.
The opening session brought together members of the new batch in an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared purpose. Through a series of interactive Getting-to-Know-You (GTKY) activities, participants were encouraged to build meaningful connections, cultivate trust, and establish a supportive environment for shared learning and growth.
Following the community-building activities, participants underwent an orientation that provided an overview of the immersion program. Discussions centered on the program’s objectives, expectations, guidelines, and deployment framework, highlighting the importance of community engagement, cultural sensitivity, reflective practice, and personal formation throughout the immersion experience.
The Pre-Deployment Program seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of social realities and strengthen their commitment to the values of service, solidarity, and accompaniment. Rooted in the Jesuit values of forming persons for and with others, the program equips participants with the knowledge necessary to accompany communities with humility, respect, and compassion. Through guided formation sessions, participants will engage critically with the experiences of communities, develop a greater appreciation for diverse perspectives, reflect on their role in promoting social transformation, and cultivate a deeper awareness of the challenges and aspirations faced by those on the margins, while fostering personal growth and leadership development.
As IñIGO Batch 2026 embarks on its formation journey, may their experience become an opportunity for growth in compassion, leadership, and commitment to serving others, especially those on the margins. Through these encounters, participants are called to embody the Atenean mission of service and become persons for and with others.
