The Economy of Communion (EoC) will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026 and has already begun inviting its entire global network to a distinctive celebration, to be held from 25th-30th May in Latin America.With the theme “A path of regeneration – 35 years of Economy of Communion”, the event will bring together participants from many countries for a unique experience of encounter, celebration and commitment.
Unlike traditional formats, the event will be structured in two complementary phases, with the aim of offering a practical experience of the culture of communion, a hallmark of the EoC since its foundation in 1991.
First phase: encounter with local experiences (25th-27th May)
In the first phase of the event, about 20 Latin American local initiatives will welcome small groups of participants.
These groups will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in communities rich in identity and traditional knowledge that are experiencing the consequences of the current economic system. These initiatives seek to put the culture of the Economy of Communion into practice, with the aim of transforming the local socio-economic context through human development and entrepreneurship.
“Our proposal is that each person becomes part of the daily life of these local initiatives and by looking at the world through this encounter, they experience the potential for regeneration and transformation that arises through communion and reciprocity,” said Isaías Hernando, coordinator of the International Commission of the Economy of Communion.
Participants should arrive in their chosen communities on 24th May.
Seconda fase: celebrazione e impegno a Buenos Aires (29 e 30 maggio)
Second phase: celebration and commitment in Buenos Aires (29th-30th May)
The programme, which will be announced shortly, will have a workshop-style format, encouraging active participation and intensive exchange. Hernando added, “The objective of this day and a half will be not only to celebrate the first 35 years of the EoC, but also to commit ourselves to put in place the next steps to respond more effectively to the challenges of the current economic system and to move ever closer to fulfilling the vocation of the Economy of Communion.”
How to participate
The global Economy of Communion has launched a website with all the information about the event, where it is already possible to register: https://www.edc-online.org/it/argentina-2026
Participation is open to everyone currently in the global EoC network, members of projects, teachers, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, members of organisations, movements and networks with similar aims, as well as anyone interested in the proposal.
Organized by the Irish Council of Churches (ICC) and the Irish Inter-Church Meeting, the significance of the gathering was underlined by the presence of leaders from the Churches in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh), Archbishop John McDowell (Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh), Rev. Dr. John Kirkpatrick (Presbyterian Church in Ireland), Rev. Dr. Heather Morris (General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland) and Bishop Sarah Groves (Moravian Church and President of the ICC).
Prompted specifically by the ecological crisis facing Lough Neagh, the conference opened up a vital conversation about water, justice, and our collective responsibility for the land we share.
A Vision of Integral Ecology
For representatives of the Focolare Movement in Ireland, the conference resonated deeply with the direction set by the Focolare General Assembly 2021. That Assembly called the global Movement to a “conversion to integral ecology“, a change of mindset and lifestyle that recognises the deep interconnection between human relationships, social justice and the natural world.
This vision was clearly reflected in the Newry gathering, which bridged different Christian traditions and urban-rural contexts. Fran Maher, a member of the Focolare’s Laudato Si’ group in Balbriggan, emphasized this aspect: “I was impressed with all the speakers, especially Gail Heffner when she spoke about repairing relationships.” Hilda Killian from the Dublin Archdiocese added: “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and share with other churches. I had conversations that confirmed to me that we are more united than we think”—a timely reflection on the eve of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Expert Perspectives and Moral Urgency
Keynote speakers addressed the ecological crisis through multiple lenses: Minister Andrew Muir, MLA: Political and legislative responsibility; Hilary Marlow: Biblical and theological foundations; Jim McAdam: Scientific and agricultural research; Gail Heffner: Educational and community reconciliation.
Their contributions underlined a shared conviction: ecological damage is inseparable from social injustice. Meaningful change requires both personal conversion and structural transformation. Archbishops Martin and McDowell offered complementary reflections, emphasizing the need to listen to scientific evidence while cooperating across civic and political leadership.
Voices from the Ground
A distinctive strength of the conference was the participation of local groups already engaged in practical action. From restoring habitats and protecting waterways to environmental education, parishes and schools shared experiences rooted in their specific locales.
Participants were reminded that faith calls us to be “doers, not merely hearers.” This was made tangible through personal and communal pledges: Planting native trees and protecting pollinators; conserving water and reducing consumption; working with farmers as stewards of the land; strengthening parish-based prayer and building bridges across communities.
From Castel Gandolfo to Newry
The Newry conference stands in continuity with the Raising Hope Conference held in Castel Gandolfo last October. That international gathering emphasized hope grounded in concrete action and unity, themes that echoed strongly in the Canal Court Hotel. Both events affirm that integral ecology is not an optional extra, but a core dimension of living the charism of unity today.
Looking Ahead: Living Water
Looking to the future, participants were encouraged to support initiatives addressing the roots of the crisis, including advocacy for a Just Transition and engagement with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
There was also a strong call to prepare for the Season of Creation 2026, which will focus on the theme “Living Water.” For the Focolare community in Ireland, this offers a concrete opportunity to deepen education and action around water as a source of life, communion and justice.
Archbishop Eamon Martin recalled the Irish saying: Ní neart go cur le chéile—there is no strength without unity. The Newry conference served as a powerful reminder that when we walk together, listening, learning and acting, even small steps can become a living current of hope.
