The Economy of Francesco, the international event that has as protagonists young economists and entrepreneurs from all over the world, has started. The live streaming can be followed in different languages from the portal francescoeconomy.org. It has been confirmed that, to conclude this three-day event, Pope Francis will virtually participate with a video message to the young participants connected online with the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. For the occasion, on 21 November at 11 pm (Italian time), the monument to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro will be lit up with the symbolic colours of The Economy of Francesco: green, brown and yellow.
The event will begin at 2 pm with “Listen to the cry of the poorest to transform the earth”, a video by the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the message of the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Peter Turkson, and a welcome address from the Organising Committee. The conferences will be opened by the economist Jeffrey Sachs with “Perfecting Joy: three proposals to let life flourish”.
‘Thanks to Saint Francis and Pope Francis, the world’s largest movement of young economists has been founded. This is the kind of news that society and the Church need today,’ said Luigino Bruni, Scientific Director of The Economy of Francesco.
The online version of the event will allow all the young people registered (2,000 from 120 countries) to participate under the same conditions and to share the experiences they have gained over the last few months as well as their work, proposals and thoughts. It will be an innovative, inclusive and global digital event. There will be 4 hours of live streaming per day and a 24-hour marathon, on 20 November, with the contribution of young people connecting from 20 different countries. Assisi will be hosting the directors of the event, with live reports from historic places that played a key role in Saint Francis’ life: Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Church of San Damiano, Sanctuary of Rivotorto, Basilica of Saint Clare, Sanctuary of the Spoliation and Palazzo Monte Frumentario.
It will be organised by an Organising Committee made up of: Diocese of Assisi, Serafico Institute, Municipality of Assisi, Economy of Communion, and with the support, on behalf of the Holy See, of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which sponsors the initiative and the Franciscan Families.
To follow today’s live broadcast