Dr. Luigino Bruni of the International EoC Commission explained the reason for celebrating EoC’s 25th year in Asia: “In fifteen years’ time, the share of Asia’s GDP will double that of the United States and Western Europe.
The future of the world, therefore, depends on the type of economy that will grow in Asia. To celebrate here the 25th anniversary of the Economy of Communion means to recognize that its future presence on the Asian continent is crucial.”
The first part of the week-long program was a two-day International Youth Forum from May 23-24 at the prestigious University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila. It gathered around 200 participants from different countries and several UST Economics and Commerce students. Significant highlights were the presentation by UST Business students of their social enterprises and the signing of a Memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration between EoC and UST.
When Teresa Ganzon, a member of the International EoC Commission, and the main organizer of the event, was asked some years ago if Asia, and in particular the Philippines could host this international event, she was a bit hesitant, considering that Asia particularly the Philippines still had very small EoC projects. However, during this Congress from May 23- 29, it became obvious to all that EoC businesses are actually flourishing.
This reality was confirmed with the presentation of some EoC businesses from Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines during the youth forum and Pan Asian Congress. Dr. Anouk Grevin, one of the main speakers and part of the International EoC Commission, seeing how EoC projects are actually blossoming in Asia, referred to these present times as the “period for harvest”.
At the heart of the celebration
The second part of the EoC Pan Asian congress took place in Mariapolis Peace, Tagaytay city, from May 25- 29, where 300 participants came from various countries in Asia, with a large delegation from Korea. Highlights of the event were several talks given by members of the International EoC Commission and other experts in economy and ecology. Notable was the presence of well-known Filipino Senator Bam Aquino who gave a talk on the government as an enabler of social businesses.
The talk of Dr. Luigino Bruni on the main theme: Economy of Communion, An Economy for All, expounded on EoC as a vocation. Using the biblical character of Noah to illustrate this “call” from God when he built an ark to save humanity in his time, Bruni aptly compared the ark to an EoC enterprise that safeguards all other vocations from “floods” or future disasters.
On Saturday, May 28, after enjoying a typical Filipino Barrio Fiesta with cultural songs and dances, at 9.00pm, Manila time, participants were able to connect to the webinar live streaming which linked up EoC groups from diverse countries: Bolivia, Italy, Mexico, and Slovakia. Many other countries were able to follow the live-streaming.
As Luigino Bruni commented, “In a world that is perhaps bereft of reasons for celebration, the Economy of Communion is a miracle of the celebration of universal brotherhood!”
Impressions and suggestions
Below are some feedbacks: A Korean exclaimed: “I realized that EoC is the only way to liberate modern men and women from modern capitalism.” An Italian suggested: “It is a beautiful occasion for Asia, especially for the Philippines to highlight existing EoC projects, but these need to be linked together so that EoC can spread further in the coming years.” Another from Bangladesh affirmed, “EoC is a solution for a better world.” Dr. Bruni, in formally closing the congress, encouraged everyone to be producers of communion, and to reach out more to the poor by touching their lives.
