At the Roots of Economic Ethics is a two-day international academic conference on the ethical, spiritual, ecological, and social dimensions of economic thought, inspired by Franciscan traditions.

To mark the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s death, The Economy of Francesco Foundation is hosting a two-day academic conference at the Serafico Institute in Assisi. This venue reflects the Franciscan ideals of care, inclusion, and love for the creation. The conference aims to bring together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from economics and related fields, with a special emphasis on approaches inspired by the life, teachings, and charism of St. Francis. He was a man who saw every creature, human and non-human, as a brother or sister sharing the same gift of life.

The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the ethical, spiritual, ecological, and social aspects of economic thought. It examines how Franciscan principles can impact contemporary research and practice across various fields, including economics, social sciences, theology, and others. In the spirit of The Economy of Francesco, the discussion will reflect on an economy of relationships where the poor and the vulnerable, along with the Earth and all living beings, which are often marginalized in mainstream economic theory and practice, share in the same call to dignity and flourishing. 

Key Dates

The following key dates apply to submissions and participation in both the pre-conference workshop and the main conference.

  • Abstract submission deadline: January 28
  • Notification of acceptance: February 18
  • Registration Opens: February 18
  • Registration deadline (for presenters and attendees): March 30
  • Pre-conference: 7 May
  • Conference: 8-9 May

Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process by February 18.
Upon acceptance, at least one author of each accepted paper must register for the conference as a presenter by March 30. Papers whose authors have not completed registration by this date will not be included in the final program.

Participation without Paper

The conference welcomes attendees who are not presenting papers. Researchers, students, and professionals with an interest in the conference themes are encouraged to join.

Participation includes:

  • access to all conference sessions
  • participation in discussions and Q&A sessions
  • certificate of participation

REGISTRATION and PAYMENT

Registration fees and participation conditions apply equally to presenters and attendees participating in both the pre-conference workshop and the main conference.

Conference participation is subject to the following registration fees:

  • Students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers: €150
  • Faculty & Senior Researchers: €250

These differentiated fees reflect our commitment to fostering academic solidarity and supporting the participation of students and early-career researchers.

Participants who wish to further support the conference and its initiatives may opt for the Supporter Fee. This additional support helps uphold the quality of the event and, in a spirit of academic solidarity, facilitates the participation of scholars and attendees with limited financial resources.

  • SUPPORTER Fee: €350

The registration fee includes conference materials, proceedings, coffee breaks, and lunches, and one dinner on May 8.
Please note that accommodation is not included and must be arranged independently by participants. Assisi offers many options, but we recommend booking as early as possible given this time of year.

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To participate, please complete and submit the form below, then proceed with the payment of the registration fee.

Please note that REGISTRATION WILL ONLY BE CONFIRMED AFTER PAYMENT OF THE REGISTRATION FEE.

PAYMENT METHODS:

By Bank Transfer

  • Important: Please indicate the following payment reference:
    First Name Last Name – Conference Registration May 2026
  • Bank Details
    Account Holder: FONDAZIONE THE ECONOMY OF FRANCESCO
    IBAN: IT51N0887138281005000121553
    BIC: CCRTIT2TSBE
    Account Number: 05/000121553
    Bank: Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Spello e del Velino
    Branch Address: Via Sandro Pertini, 109/111, Bastia Umbra, 06083 (PG), Italy

OR

by Credit Card

  • Go to: https://francescoeconomy.org/support-the-community/
  • In the “DONATE BY CARD” section
  • Click “Other” and enter the amount
  • In the field “Reason for the Donation”, enter:
    First Name Last Name – Conference Registration May 2026
  • Proceed with the payment as instructed
  • Send a confirmation screenshot to: [email protected]

Registration Deadline: March 30, 2026

[CLICK HERE FOR THE REGISTRATION FORM]

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CANCELLATION POLICY:
Partial refunds (50% of the total participation fee) will be granted only for cancellations communicated via email to [email protected], with subject: Conference May 2026 – CANCELLATION OF PARTICIPATION, by April 15, 2026.
After this date, refunds cannot be guaranteed, except in exceptional cases, subject to individual evaluation by the organization.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of full or partial scholarships (fee waivers) are available. Priority will be given to authors whose papers are accepted through the Call for Papers.
To proceed with your request, please download the PDF file below and read the instructions carefully. Then access the application form using the link provided in the document.

TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIP

Participation Scholarship: Covers the participation fee only. This scholarship grants free access to the conference; accommodation and any other expenses remain the responsibility of the participant.

Travel Scholarship: Covers part of the travel costs. Reimbursement will be made by bank transfer after the event, upon submission of valid travel receipts.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Application deadline: March 3
  • Successful applicants will be notified via email by March 9

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • If you are unable to travel, please inform us promptly at [email protected]. Generally, in such cases, the scholarship will not be awarded. However, we are open to reviewing each situation individually.
  • No additional financial support or subsidies are available. 
  • Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated. Early application is strongly recommended. Decisions of the selection committee are final and not subject to appeal.

[Download the scholarship document in PDF format]

CONFERENCE

Preliminary Program (coming soon)

Details about sessions, panels, and breaks will be published as they become available.

Pre-Conference Workshop

On May 7, a dedicated pre-conference workshop will be organized for researchers affiliated with the Economy of Francesco Academy. Academy members will present research projects developed as part of their academic journey and in their final year, focusing on their own research themes, which may not necessarily align with the main topic of the conference. The workshop aims to foster scholarly exchange and mentorship. While primarily intended for Academy researchers and supervisors, the session will be open to interested participants wishing to attend as observers.

Participation in the pre-conference workshop is subject to the same registration procedures, fees, and eligibility criteria outlined above.

Keynote Speakers

Helen Alford, Giacomo Todeschini, Luigino Bruni, and others to be confirmed

Scientific Committee

Leonardo Becchetti (Tor Vergata University – Rome); Luigino Bruni (LUMSA); Valentina Erasmo (University of Turin); Maria Jordet (University of Inland Norway); Jennifer Nedelsky (University of Toronto); Matteo Rizzolli (LUMSA); Caren Rodrigues (St. Joseph’s Institute of Management); Valentina Rotondi (SUPSI); Paolo Santori (Tilburg University); Marcello Signorelli (University of Perugia).

Organizing Institutions

EoF Foundation – The Economy of Francesco Foundation 

HEIRS – Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations

Venue

Istituto Serafico Per Sordomuti e Per Ciechi

Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 6, 06081

Assisi PG (Italy)

Information and Contact

For further information regarding submissions, participation, or registration, please contact:
[email protected] 

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[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE]

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The Call for Papers is now closed. We received a high number of submissions and thank all authors for their interest.

CALL FOR PAPERS (Closed)

We invite submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

  • Franciscan perspectives on economic theory, policy, and practice
  • Ethical, spiritual, ecological, and moral dimensions of economic life
  • Historical and contemporary interpretations of Franciscan-inspired economics
  • Interdisciplinary approaches linking Franciscan thought with philosophy, theology, and the social and natural sciences
  • Inclusion, disability, and the economy of care: new paradigms of human and social flourishing
  • Innovative research on the implementation of Franciscan principles in modern economic systems, communities, and institutions
  • The relational economy: fraternity with the poor, with the Earth, and with all creatures
  • Franciscan influences within Catholic Social Teaching and global movements for justice and peace
  • Global and regional economic dynamics and geopolitical instabilities: old and new challenges and perspectives
  • Cultural and contextual reinterpretations of Franciscan-inspired economics in regions with limited Franciscan presence

This conference represents a unique opportunity to engage with a growing community of scholars exploring the intersection of economics, creation, and Franciscan thought, reflecting on the enduring relevance of St. Francis’ vision — a vision of peace, poverty, and fraternity that invites everyone to build an economy where no one is excluded, and all of creation can flourish.

Submission Guidelines

Scholars interested in participating are invited to submit a curriculum and an abstract of no more than 200 words to [email protected] by January 28.  Abstracts should clearly outline the research question, methodology, and relevance to the conference themes.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. Selected contributions will be considered for presentation during the conference sessions, which will take place on-site.
If you wish to participate in the pre-conference workshop, please specify this in your submission email.

The submission guidelines, review process, registration requirements, and participation fees apply to both the pre-conference workshop and the main conference, unless otherwise specified.