Why The Economy of Francesco?
Francesco as the Saint of Assisi, an example par excellence of care for the least of the earth and for an integral ecology, and also as Pope Francis, who since Evangelii Gaudium and then in Laudato Sì, denounced the pathological state of so much of the world’s economy calling for a new economic model.
The Holy Father met with the Bishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino and the economist Luigino Bruni, because of his genuine concern for the world. The idea of addressing the challenges of the economy, starting from the economic thought and action of young people, was supported enthusiastically by the Holy Father. This resulted in a call addressed to young economists and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Therefore, a committee was set up to plan the preparatory stages of the event, both at organizational and practical levels. The Diocese of Assisi, the Municipality of Assisi, the Seraphic Institute and the Economy of Communion participate in this committee, in permanent dialogue with Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Prefect of the Vatican Department for the Service of Integral Human Development, who sponsors the initiative.
During this time of preparation, the organization has been welcoming requests and developing collaborations with the academic world, movements, associations and international institutions that have expressed their desire to be part of this process.
An international group of young economists, entrepreneurs, artists and communication experts is currently working with the participants – who have completed their registration in January 2020 – on the major topics, and also to design of the program of the upcoming event in November.
The President of the Committee is the Bishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino.
With his prophetic gesture, the ‘poor man’ of Assisi did not make an anti-economic act, but rather through his action he laid the foundations of an alternative economy
The diocese, moreover, is home to all those involved in the preparation of the event, starting with the Franciscan families, heirs and custodians of the ideal of Francis.
Luigino Bruni, Professor of Political Economy at Lumsa University and International Coordinator of the Economy of Communion project, is the Scientific Director of the event.
The approach of young people to environmental and economic issues is much more advanced than the one of adults and it must be taken very seriously
The Economy of Communion involves entrepreneurs, workers, scholars and economic activists, committed at various levels to promoting an economic practice and culture based on communion, gratuitousness and reciprocity, offering and living an alternative lifestyle to the dominant one in the capitalist system.
The civic world is represented by the Municipality of Assisi. In the words of the mayor Stefania Proietti,
Assisi can become a city-laboratory […] for new pathways of peace, for new schemes of sustainable and integral human development
Also, on the Committee, the charismatic soul of “excellence” in charity, is the Seraphic Institute, a non-profit Ecclesiastical Body that promotes and carries out rehabilitation, psycho-education and social and health care activities for children and young adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities.
A fairer and more inclusive society can only be built by starting from the most vulnerable
Dr. Francesca Di Maolo, President of the Seraphic Institute.