The Economy of Francesco: La Verna to host the 3rd edition of the International Summer School

For one week, from September 1-6, the Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna will host the activities of the school organized by the Economy of Francesco entitled Homo Mendicans. Companionship, Wandering, and the pursuit of Joy. “Which is the path, then, for those who want to renew the economy from its roots? The pilgrims’ journey  has always been risky, interwoven with trust and vulnerability. Those who undertake it must soon recognize their dependence on others along the way: thus, you understand that economics too is a borrower of other disciplines and knowledge.”
These words of Pope Francis inspired the third edition of the now traditional summer school: an experience of training, reflection and study that this year will welcome about 50 young students, doctoral students, researchers and professionals from various fields

from more than 20 countries around the world (Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, UK, USA, Uzbekistan). They deal with the economy of happiness, human rights, business, innovation, behavioral economics, peace, Franciscan thought, integral development, sustainable finance, common goods, philosophy, theology, and climate change.

“San Francesco wanted his friars to be mendicants, conducting a frugal life but rich in fraternity, wandering, and preaching, in close connection with the poor and poverty. This was his recipe for the perfect joy – the Summer School organizers recount.  The mendicants started their journey with little or nothing, relying on the essential generosity of nature. On their long journeys, they learned to trust strangers and to depend on each other in the spirit of reciprocity and benevolence. How far – the school coordinators continue – the homo oeconomicus – built upon the ideals of individualism, independence, and autonomy – come from this lifestyle, and how distant is our present notion of subjective well-being from San Francesco’s idea of perfect joy!

The five days of the 2024 edition will revolve around five macro-topics deeply related to Franciscan thought to explore the mendicant way and test its suitability in our post-modern times: from the economic history of the mendicant orders to the multiple dimensions of fraternity and sorority and their relevance for contemporary Economics and economic life, from pursuing the Perfect Joy to the ethos of market and profit. The closing day will then be dedicated to the power of collective movement in social transformation and, in particular, to the story of ancient and modern pilgrimages to every day marches for social, economic, and civil issues.

Also planned is a day trip to the city of Sansepolcro in the footsteps of the mathematician and economist Luca Pacioli, as well as a visit to the museum of Aboca, and a meeting with Massimo Mercati (CEO of Aboca).

The lectures will be given by Luigino Bruni (LUMSA University), Helen Alford (ANGELICUM University), Paolo Santori (Tilbrug University), Matteo Rizzolli (LUMSA University), Alessandra Smerilli (Auxilium University and Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development) with the collaboration of young researchers Maria Jordet (Inland Norway University), Stefano Rozzoni (University of Bergamo), Tony Guidotti (Harvard University), Martina Tafuro (Sant’Anna University of Pisa) and Enrico Marcazzan, (Sant’Anna University of Pisa).

The lectures will be alternated with group work, workshops, poster sessions, and moments of personal reflection and silence. Lastly, on September 5th, the young participants will be invited to walk from Chiusi della Verna to the Shrine of La Verna, to conclude the Steps for Peace campaign, a worldwide initiative launched by EoF last May. Thanks to the more than 150 walks organized throughout the world, the campaign has already collected more than 10 million steps to remember all the wars in the world and to carry the message of an economy of peace all the way to Jerusalem.