The prophecy of Franciscan economic thought

The global economy of the 21st century, consolidated after the fall of the Berlin Wall, is based on "free" capitalism that is increasingly enriched through the financial markets, and in danger of breaking away and isolating itself in a self-serving loop. In this context, the productive economy, natural resources and people themselves are the objects of continuous devaluation processes. These tend to legitimize every form of inequality and the disregard of the most precious of the common goods: the planet’s climate balance, every worker’s right to civil dignity, the new generations of every continent’s right to the future. The economy understood as the doctrine of human action, is therefore faced with particularly demanding ethical and social challenges. In this framework, the proposal arising from the Franciscan economic school - developed in the Europe of the 13th-16th centuries - can offer a valuable contribution by presenting the development of its reflection on the ethical foundations and objectives of economic activity. Francis' Rule invites us to understand what voluntary poverty and wealth mean, that is, what is the value of poverty chosen as a dimension of life, but also what is the value of the use of goods and resources. It is from this daily challenge, posed by the Rule and lived by every Franciscan, that an economic vision has emerged to look at humanity and the world. A planning and dialoguing thought, measured by the fundamental questions of the economy: the value of goods, the use of money, the ethics of the markets, the dignity of people. The cycle of lectures looking forward to the Assisi event, "The Economy of Francis" on March 26-28, 2020, aims at providing some conceptual frameworks and a series of ideas for reflection. It will address those engaged in a formative journey within the Order of Minors as well as those with different formative experiences, also dialoguing with those who are professionally involved in the world of economics and finance. The seminar cycle, in addition to the presentation of two themes for each meeting, offers a debate that aims to involve the participants, stimulating requests for further study, questions and current experiences.   DATE AND TIME: 12 - 19 - 26 March 2020 15.00 - 17.30 PLACE: Pontifical Antonianum University - Rome INFO: Secretariat: 0670373502 A certificate of participation will be provided for those who apply for it.   Download poster [PDF]