The Economy of Francesco or the opportunity to lead radical change

"To study and practice a different economy, one that makes people live and does not kill, that includes and does not exclude, that humanizes and does not dehumanize, that cares for creation and does not depredate it.". 

It has been a year since these words. They headed the message with which Pope Francis invited young professionals and entrepreneurs, and leaders and Nobel laureates from all over the world to project together an economy concerned with people and the environment. The meeting will take place from March 24 to 28, 2020. The city of Assisi will host the world event. The Economy of Francesco. 

One year later, on the eve of this meeting, it would not be entirely fair to say that "the moment has arrived", as if that week in March were the end of our concerns about the economy and the sustainability of the planet, a week to meet, share, let off steam and be delighted to have met. The Economy of Francesco is not the end, it is the beginning of a process of discernment on a global scale with which the Church wants to lead the great change that humanity is crying out for, and which, as the Holy Father pointed out in his message, involves, in good measure, the following "giving a soul to the economy of tomorrow".. 

A new economy?

What does this "revival" of the economy consist of? Undoubtedly, one of the fundamental challenges lies in the overhaul of our current system, governed by capitalism. Or what is the same, governed by competition and performance. This is a reductionist way of understanding the person. Defending that human nature does not respond or identify itself in an essential way with these two counter-values, that competition and performance should not be the driving forces of our work, our aspirations or our life, will not be easy. Just as it is not easy to overcome the hackneyed capitalism-communism dichotomy which tends to prevail in the debate, and which confuses the absence of capitalism with the abandonment of the market economy.

But another economy is possible. An economy sustained by reciprocityHe does not turn his back on anyone or anything, not a single person, not a single element of creation. An economy sustained by freethat is capable of sacrificing profit, large or small, for the common good. An economy, as Stefano Zamagni has so often reminded us, that is instrument of civilization and of moral and economic progress at the same time..

Is this way of understanding the economy really new? Work understood as service to a vocation and to others, and not as slavery to a task or to profit, is this not the great message of Benedict of Nursia? Recognizing the dignity of each and every person regardless of their merit and income level, is not the great message of Francis of Assisi? And each and every one of these ideas, aren't they the great human revolution of the Gospels? 

It is significant, to say the least, that the memory of both saints has been recovered by our last two popes. At the same time, they correspond to Pope Francis and Laudato si' the good sense of having put the Church in a position to lead the changeWill we seize the opportunity, or will we let others do it for us?

Towards Francesco's economy

Many of the biggest names in today's economy will gather in Assisi in response to Pope Francis' appeal: Nobel Prize Laureates Amartya Sen and Muhammad Yunusinternational experts and entrepreneurs such as Jeffrey Sachs, Stefano Zamagni, Kate Raworth, Juan Manuel Sinde, Brunello Cucinelli, Anna Meloto, Cécile Renouard, Mauro Magatti, Jennifer Nedelsky... Five hundred young people from all over the world have been selected to work with them during the meeting in a collaborative process and dialoguewhich includes - as can be seen among the above-mentioned - not only those who "have the gift of faith, but to all men of good will, regardless of differences of creed." -I quote again from Francisco.

In a replication of this process, institutions and communities around the world have organized preparatory meetings and working groups. From the Ángel Herrera Oria Cultural Foundation, CEU IAM Business School and the CEU Universities we celebrate the cycle Towards Francesco's Economy. Different experts have passed or will pass through our University: Christian Felberleader of the movement Economy of the Common Good; Pablo SanchezB Corp Spain's chief executive officer; Xavi Roca-CusachsSpanish partner of Conscious Capitalism; Asunción Estesoand president of the Economy of Communion, a businesswoman linked to the Economy of Communion. Association for an Economy of Communion in Spain (AEdC). 

We invite you to play a leading role in the change, to learn about the content of these sessions, to register and to join future meetings, through francescoeconomy.ceu.es