The Economy of Communion is not a “done deal,” but a “process.” This idea was repeated often at the 5th meeing of European business owners and promoters of the EoC, held in a Focolare town in Krizevci Croazia (October 17-20, 2014). This year again the meeting was a process, a communion created one day at a time.

A hundred and fifty people from 23 countries took part in the meeting. Besides Europe, they came from Brazil, Argentina, Congo, and India. Forty two young people between the ages of 18 and 30, from 7 countries also took part in the meeting with their “Together we grow: youth towards and inclusive economy” project. Seven European associations (from Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany and Italy) had the idea of organising a simultaneous “exchange” with young people that would be an integral part of the business meeting. That portion of the meeting was titled “Together we grow: youth towards an inclusive economy,” and was supported by the European Commission that co-finances the project.

Where is the EoC today and what are its prospects for the future?

This question was answered by Professor Luigino Bruni, who recalled the beginnings of the Focolare Movement in 1943 when Chiara Lubich and the first focolarine welcomed the poor into their home for lunch. “This is the primary image of the EoC,” he said. “In this scene the poor person is inside the house, and this is fraternity.” Bruni spoke of three challenges for the Economy of Communion, which he gave three titles: offering a great ideal; today’s poor are the young people because they cannot find work; and doing things together with the many people who already share the same values of communion and brotherhood.

The three days in Croatia were filled with the testimonies of business owners. Nico Daenens from Belgium, presented his business which offers domestic help, with 3000 collaborators. Koen and Chris from Belgium, along with Atila and Boglarka from Serbia, told about the collaboration that began thanks to the values they shared values with the EoC, and that a new company has begun in Serbia.

In the afternoons workshops were held dealing with several topics: “What is needed to come up with an EoC business plan and start-up?”, “Paths of inclusion for people at the local level in the life of the EoC business,” “Spreading the EoC project and its culture,” “Management of non-profit associations” and others.

One person who attended the meeting summarised the event: “It was truly a workshop of brotherhood, open to future projects which we hope will lead us beyond old geographic and mental boundries, following the path of communion.”

Source: EoC online