In order to look toward the future, on the last day of the meeting, the Congress turned its gaze on the new generations. With the first engaging words of Anouk Grevin, Professor of Management at the University of Nantes and member of the International Commission of the EoC, everyone broke into applause: “When a baby is born,” he said, “the whole community shows care, the child that was born belongs to everyone.” His words express one of the most important values of the African continent and that is,”You need a village to grow a child”. Grevin went on to say, “We lived such wonderful dreams with the young people at the International EoC School!” With much enthusiasm Anouk moved around the hall. The walls were covered with pictures of the young people’s projects, and their dreams. With unique creativity and a passion that would be difficult to describe, the young people presented those projects: some already underway, others only dreams, although for them that didn’t matter! John Mundell launched an appeal to his friends: open your businesses to introduce these new generations into the work world: “The experience in an EoC business makes you experience a wealth of true relationships along with professionalism!” The real life events of the business people from around the world – especially the young people – gave glimpses of a better future: from Italy to Argentina, to Paraguay, to the presentation of a thesis on the EoC by a young Brazilian woman who is about to finish her studies at Sophia Institute. If today our gaze is pointed towards the future-present, then it is an important moment for making strong and binding commitments: “We should promise ourselves that we will never turn back,” said Luigino Bruni. “ We’ve lived some miracles over the past few days, our stories that need to be told to everyone. The EoC isn’t a consumer good, many people in the world waiting for it. We need to continue to be “producers” of communion, not only its consumers.” The final statement was a powerful appeal. The promise to give one’s life for an economy of communion. Then the business people wished to leave a visible sign of their personal commitment, which materialised in the form of a “pact,” which everyone was free to sign.

Genéviève Sanzé gave the concluding remarks: “They say that all good things come to an end, but I think we need to change that saying. We lived in such a fraternal Congress, so joy-filled that it just can’t end, now we need to really begin the race; it’s the moment to go out, and head towards the world.” “One business is not enough”, recalling Chiara Lubich’s writing “One city is not enough,” was the focus of the reflection on the last day of the congress, and ignited a passion to live for such a great dream, to see the world invaded by EoC businesses. “With a God who comes to visit you each morning, if you wish, one city is too little . . . aim further: towards your country, the world. May your every breath, every action be spent working for this goal….” .