Pedro Arrupe: Educating Men and Women for Others 

What Is the True Measure of Educational Success?

When we talk about education, success is often measured through grades, skills, and achievements. These are certainly important—but are they enough? Can we truly consider an educational journey successful if it produces capable individuals who are unable to look beyond themselves?

Today, we live in a society that values personal achievement, competition, and performance. Yet the greatest challenges of our time—from sustainability and social inequality to inclusion and peacebuilding—require something more: women and men who are willing to place their knowledge and abilities at the service of others.

More than fifty years ago, this was precisely the question that Pedro Arrupe, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983, sought to answer. His response continues to inspire Jesuit schools around the world today.

A Phrase That Changed the Way We Think About Education

In 1973, during the International Congress of Jesuit Alumni, Arrupe delivered a speech that would profoundly influence the educational tradition of the Society of Jesus. It was there that he introduced the idea of forming “men and women for others.” This was not simply a memorable phrase, but the expression of a profound educational vision.

For Arrupe, knowledge acquires its fullest meaning when it is used to build the common good. Education cannot be limited to preparing competent professionals; it must form individuals who recognize their responsibility toward society and are willing to place their talents at the service of their communities.

This insight has profoundly shaped the development of Ignatian pedagogy and continues to guide the educational mission of Jesuit schools today.

Competence and Responsibility Go Hand in Hand

Becoming “men and women for others” does not mean giving up the pursuit of excellence. On the contrary, within the Ignatian tradition, striving for quality and commitment is essential. The difference lies in the purpose.

Knowledge and skills are not viewed as personal achievements, but as tools through which individuals can contribute to the common good. Studying, developing one’s talents, and cultivating one’s abilities means preparing to place what one has received at the service of others.

For this reason, Ignatian education never separates personal growth from social responsibility. Every new piece of knowledge carries with it an important question: How can I use what I have learned to improve the world around me?

Educating for Citizenship Means Educating for Responsibility

Today, active citizenship, volunteering, and civic engagement are widely discussed. From Arrupe’s perspective, however, these are not extracurricular activities—they are essential dimensions of education itself.

To educate means helping students recognize that they are part of a community, developing their ability to understand reality, recognize the needs of others, and take concrete responsibility.

Even the smallest everyday actions—working together, supporting a classmate, participating in school life, and serving the community—become opportunities to develop a form of leadership rooted in service. It is a leadership that does not seek visibility, but fosters trust, collaboration, and authentic relationships.

A Message That Still Speaks to Young People Today

At a time when personal success is often associated with popularity, recognition, or visibility, Pedro Arrupe’s vision remains remarkably relevant.

Today’s young people face global challenges that no one can solve alone. Climate change, social inequality, peacebuilding, migration, and the rapid development of technology all require individuals who are not only well prepared, but also capable of collaborating, listening, and serving others.

For this reason, the question Arrupe asked more than half a century ago is more relevant than ever: What kind of people do we hope to educate?

A Vision That Lives On in the Schools of Fondazione Gesuiti Educazione 

Throughout the schools of the Fondazione Gesuiti Educazione network, Arrupe’s vision continues to take shape through concrete educational experiences. Learning is never separated from personal growth, care for relationships, and commitment to the wider community.

Every educational initiative—from volunteer programs and citizenship projects to international experiences and pastoral activities—is inspired by the conviction that knowledge reaches its deepest meaning when it becomes service.

Because education is not only about helping students build their own future, but also about encouraging them to ask how they can contribute to the future of others.