Jesuit European Social Centre

Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), formerly known as Catholic Office of Information and Initiative for Europe (OCIPE) is a research and documentation center on ethics and European integration founded in 1956.

History
In 1956, the Jesuits founded the "Catholic Office for Information on European Issues" (OCIPE) in Strasbourg. It was situated on Rue de la Toussaint in the city and its purpose has been to establish a research and documentation centre on European issues. Although centred in Strasbourg, it also had offices in Brussels, Budapest, and Warsaw.

In January 2012, OCIPE underwent a restructuring. Its office in Brussels became the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC). Its offices in Budapest and Warsaw became centres in their own right. Eventually, the office in Strasbourg also closed.

JESC continues the work of OCIPE as well as working with COMECE, CIDSE and the Chapel for Europe. In 2017, with help from the German Bishops' Conference, it began the European Leadership Programme. The programme was inspired by Pope Francis' speech 'Re-thinking Europe' and trains participants from all over the world over 5 months, in Brussels, while working for European organisations.