Report on the Economy of Francesco 2022 Global Event, 22-24 September 2022 Assisi, Italy

The Economy of Francesco (EoF)[1] started with the Holy Father’s “call” which was stated in his letter in May 2019 appealing to all young economists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and all changemakers to establish a sustainable and just economy—“one that brings life not death, one that is inclusive and not exclusive, humane and not dehumanizing, one that cares for the environment and does not despoil it.” The EoF is tomorrow’s economy which gives importance to the poorest of the poor and a culture of communion based on fraternity and equality.

The most-awaited personal encounter with like-minded young changemakers from all over the globe was finally pushed through in September 2022.[2] The first day of the global event on September 22 in Assisi kickstarted with the theme, “The encounter, the feast, and the harvest”. The main highlight of the day was the plenary session with the EoF ambassadors including world-renowned scientists and economists, Vandana Shiva, Kate Raworth, and Stephano Zamagni. During the session, the scholars were asked about the batons that they would like to pass on to the young changemakers of the EoF. Kate Raworth would like to pass on her very own Doughnut Economics which seeks to ensure that no human being falls short of life's essentials while protecting the Earth's life-supporting systems. Vandana Shiva emphasized that the term "economia" should be defined as the art of living, sharing, the well-being of everyone, and abundance. She further dwelt on the economy of nature where natural resources will be converted into commodities in the market to derive the so-called "gross national happiness". Further, Stephano Zamagni left the young changemakers with the challenge of generating a new cultural framework and the responsibility of changing the current scenario through the virtue of hope.

The second day of the global event on September 23 started with a walking tour in the town of Assisi. Assisi preserved its importance for its role in the propagation of the Franciscan Order and for becoming a city sanctuary in Italy. The main highlight of the second day was the meeting of the twelve EoF Villages.[3] The Business and Peace (B&P) Village advocates for a peaceful economy that does not include weapons or profit-maximizing businesses. The B&P village believes that peace must be an ongoing process, also in businesses. The development of a sustainable environment includes education, responsibility, awareness, and justice—with a greater focus on condemning wicked investments.

During the last day and the personal encounter with the EoF community, Pope Francis gave three directions to the EoF changemakers as they move forward and return to their respective countries, the first is to look at the world with the eyes of the poorest of the poor. St. Francis went to the lepers to become poor like them. Looking at things from the perspective of the poor allows each one of us to understand the world we are living in and it will be a great opportunity in developing a sustainable and just economy. Second, is to cherish work and workers. He emphasized that our current system wants to help the poor but does not respect them. The current system failed to provide dignified work and just remuneration for the workers. Inequality persists as long as the current system continues to discard people. Lastly, to incarnate ideals, desires, and values into concrete actions. Ideas of young people give life to a community, but these become a trap when not transformed into concrete actions, he emphasized that "reality is always bigger than an idea."

Filled with so much hope and inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, the EoF young changemakers returned to their respective countries—which will serve as "workshops of hope for creating new ways of understanding the economy and progress, for combating the culture of waste, for giving voice to those who have none and for proposing new styles of life." Now is the right time that these ideas to be turned into flesh. Like Jesus Christ who is a prophesized word turned into flesh. The flesh which saved the entire human being, the flesh which embraced the poor and the ill, and the flesh which offered hope and eternal life. The EoF is a community of people who aspires, dreams, and hopes for a brighter and the best future for the next generations of man —a future where no one will be left behind.