Experience of Carlos López Lizárraga, an EoC entrepreneur

Why I chose Sophia

I am Carlos López Lizárraga, an entrepreneur, and I come from Northern Mexico. I have a degree in electronic systems engineering, and I worked four years in the field of direction and business administration. While studying in my country, I had the chance to spend a year in Japan. It was an experience that made me understand the importance of cultural diversity. My respect of the other as a person grew, and I rediscovered the value of nature. 

After this experience, three years ago, I started my first business. I felt that it had to be a model for others, to the poin that its way of operating could show respect towards the other and his diversity. But, under the laws of the market, my businesses was transformed into one in which profits were more important than service to the society. Profits had become the supreme good, at the expense of the workers..

The "G.Lazzati" Cultural Center for Development of the Catholic University of Milano, Taranto, together with the Economy of Communion, is organizing the first:

Summer School of Civil Economy in Puglia

Civil Economy: Theory, Business and Lifestyles

July 7-11, 2010
"Villa Specchia"
C.da Scopinaro, 11
72017 Ostuni (BR)

The first Summer School of Civil Economy is open to youth who wants to know more about a different way of living economy and business, in the light of the best Italian and European tradition. The Summer School is residential and is limited to 30 participants. It is aimed towards youth from 20 to 30 years old who are seriously motivated in delving into the course´s topics and sharing in its goals. The following topics will be addressed during the school: The civil entrepreneur, The economy of communion, Social economy, Business and social cooperation, Critical and responsible consumption, Ethical finance, Governance and management of civil and social businesses.

See brochure

Youth and EoC

Study with us!

A very strong relationship binds EoC with the young people since its inception in 1991, when Chiara Lubich invited the new generations to "spend their energies for this program." Chiara gave them in particular the "cultural study," that passage of EoC’s life experience of a "theory" to be spread in the economic, theological, sociological and philosophical sector. In these remarkable years, thanks to the contributions of the young people, especially in the early years through EoC’s choice of thesis argument given to the Economy of Communion, the project became known in the Universities around the world. Today there are many resources one can offer to young people wishing to deepen their knowledge on Economy of Communion and make it a subject of study. Below are available proposals and experiences of young people who have received them.

Sophia University Institute

Masters and PhD Fundamentals and Perspectives in a Culture of Unity

(Economics)

Sophia is proposed as a formation and research laboratory in which deep bonds between life and thought,  study and experience are reconnected. It is a university institute that looks to the future, attentive to the needs that our time offers so that man of today and tomorrow - as Chiara Lubich liked to repeat – may become ever more "man-world." Sophia offers open education to all on embodied knowledge that can become distinct competencies in the world of economy and in particular of the business. Sophia is a training tool for those "new men" immersed and educated in the "culture of giving" and in reciprocity, without which is not possible to create an Economy of Communion. And that is why a substantial portion of EoC profits financially support Sophia.

go to the website of Sophia

Why I chose Sophia

My name is Carlos López Lizárraga, I am an entrepreneur from Northern Mexico. I graduated in Electronic Engineering and for four years I worked in the field of Management and Business Administration. While studying in my country, I had the opportunity to spend a year in Japan. This experience made me realize the importance of cultural diversity: the respect for the other as a person grew in me and I rediscovered the value of nature.

After this experience, three years ago I started my first company which I felt had to be a model for the others, so that, in its way of operating, it would show diversity and respect for others. But, subject to the laws of the market, I had become a company in which profits were more important than service to society. Profits had become the supreme good, to the detriment of the workers themselves.

Read more

Youth Internship program

La proposta di un periodo di stage in una azienda di Edc viene posta in maniera accattivante:"Hai considerato il programma di stage per giovani di Economia di Comunione?" E' dal 2004 che la Mundell & Associates sponsorizza il programma di stage su Economia di comunione, rivolto a giovani di almeno 21 anni, interessati ad una esperienza lavorativa in una delle 800 aziende dell'Economia di Comunione. In questi ultimi 5 anni 19 giovani vi hanno aderito dagli Stati Uniti, Brasile, Spagna, Venezuela, Argentina, Italia. Scopo dello stage è offrire ai giovani una esperienza reale della vita lavorativa in una azienda dell'Economia di Comunione che permetta sia una formazione tecnica nella propria area di interesse, che una formazione spirituale e culturale sugli ideali e gli scopi dell'Edc, come vengono vissuti in una azienda.

Una impressione da chi ha fatto questa esperienza: dice Julie Johnstone di Indianapolis (USA): "mi sono sentita parte di un qualcosa di più grande di tutti noi. C'era un clima di amicizia tale fra gli impiegati, che non guardava a chi era in azienda da più tempo, aveva più esperienza o era più avanti con l'età...".
Ci racconta invece Antonella Perlari di Pavova (Italia), un tirocinio alla Mundell nel 2009: "L’atmosfera è diversa… la cosa che più mi ha colpita e che mi porto a casa dall’esperienza fatta alla “Mundell&Associates” è il clima che si respirava in azienda. L’ambiente oltre ad essere giovanile è molto spontaneo e informale e questo rende più facile il dialogo e la conoscenza reciproca. Il “di più” che mi ha dato questa esperienza è stato vedere realizzato quello che fino a poco tempo prima avevo solo letto nei libri e cioè come il posto di lavoro può essere il luogo della realizzazione della persona in tutti i suoi aspetti."

Per richiedere le modalità di adesione occorre visitare il sito www.edc-info.org o scrivere a: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Masters and Advanced Courses in Civil Economics, Non-profit, and Economic Ethics

It has been several years the University of Milan Bicocca organizes Masters and advanced courses entitled "Engaging in non-profit" for young graduates who wish to be formed to operate in the Third Sector and for workers who want to improve their management skills in nonprofit organizations, in particular social cooperatives, NGOs, associations.

From July 11 to 24, 2011 the Intensive Course of the Economy of Communion, was held in Nairobi, the result of the "pact and project" between the International EoC and the CUEA (Catholic University of Eastern Africa) to spread the theory and EoC practice in Africa. This course is the first step of a five-year commitment and will then be repeated every year.

go to Masters

EoC International Summer School

The first International Summer School of Economy of Communion, entitled: "The Economy of Communion: Theory and Practice," was held in Rocca di Papa on September 3-6, 2009. The project was designed initially for a small group of young people, students of economics profession, but was also accepted by all university students, workers, managers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and not just under 35.

The program was intense: after each presentation there was room for questions and answers and a time was devoted to group work.  What marked the four days of school was the proposal to live together in mutual love. This proposal, accepted and taken seriously, has created a fraternal and joyful atmosphere throughout the day, from those spent in the classroom, at meals and during free time. The success of this first experiment made us understand the importance of giving continuity to this initiative, making an appointment for the young people, set on a regular basis on the first week of September. In 2010 and 2011, the proximity in time of the Loppianolab event in mid-September has not made it possible to have the Summer School, but in 2011 it is the intention of the organizers to replicate the experience of an EoC International Summer School.

Danilo Cerelli tells us his Summer School experience: "Dear Friends, if I were to sum up the meaning of the days spent in Rocca di Papa, between 3 and 6 September, I would say that for me, more than an “Economy of Communion School," it was a “school of communion."  Read more

Meanwhile, from 17 to 22 January 2011, the first EoC Escuela de Verano was held at Mariapolis Lia in O'Higgins (Argentina), intended for young Spanish-speaking Latin Americans whose aim was to develop entrepreneurial skills of young participants. The Escuela de Verano has been documented not only by several articles on the Summer School web page, and from a blog, but also full-service reports and videos of the main events, available at Video:Escuela del Verano 2011

Also in January 2011, in Kenya, the first major EoC Pan African School was held at Mariapolis Piero (Nairobi). 160 people from 12 countries kicked off the event, a time for EoC also in Africa! There is also a blog for this school with a lot of content and a series of videos available at Video:Speciale Africa 2011.

go to Summer School

Italy EoC Schools

Between 2010 and 2011, on the encyclical Caritas in Veritate, the EoC Schools in Italy have multiplied: organized in collaboration with the diocese (as in the case of the Mediterranean School of Civil Economy and Communion of Crotone or the Economy of Communion Higher Education of Lamezia Terme) or cultural associations and category (as in the case of the Civil Economics Academy of Taranto), these schools are intended primarily (but not exclusively) to young people and have among their objectives to promote self-employment of participants.

Located mainly in Southern Italy, EoC Schools collect memberships from other regions of Italy which goes to show the interest it arouses. The first EoC business, fruit of the EoC Schools, was inaugurated in Cariati, Calabria, in early July 2011, and will soon be followed by a second company. A sign that interest is accompanied by the effectiveness…

go to Italy EoC Schools

Thesis

The first thesis of the Economy of Communion brings us back to June 1992, barely a year after the launch of the Economy of Communion… Since then hundreds of young people have embarked on this adventure with great generosity, "risking" something important such as their own thesis to study and introduce the Economy of Communion. Since 1994 there has been an electronic archive of thesis on EoC and in 1996 it slowly began to appear on the web. Today the thesis listed on the web archive are over 300 in 14 different languages from all continents. The archive is available at: http://www.ecodicom.net

go to the Thesis website: you will find descriptions of the theses submitted on the archive in the last 4 years.

The Philosophy Department of the Salesian University is promoting the first:
Course in Economy, Ethics and Finance

Course in Economy, Ethics and Finance

Thursday, February 18, 2010, corresponding to the beginning of the second semester of 2009/2010 academic year, the first course in Economy Ethics and Finance (FA0333, 5 ECTS) will officially begin, held at the Pontifical Salesian University of Rome. Lessons will be held on Thursday afternoons from 15:00 - 17:30.

Professors are: Mons. Mario Toso (Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace); Prof. Alessandra Smerilli (Professor of Political Economy at the Pontifical Department of Educational Science, "Auxilium" of Rome); Prof. Luigino Bruni (Professor of Political Science at the University of Studies Milano-Bicocca and at Sophia University Institute in Loppiano, Florence); Dr. Antonio Fazio (already Governor of the Bank of Italy and honorary doctorate in Moral and Social Theology at the Pontifical Salesian University of Rome).

Every year, a good part of the profits allocated to "formation of new men and women" goes towards Sophia University Institute (around €200,000)

A thank-you from Sophia to the EoC

The thank-you letter written by the Dean of Sophia University Institute (IUS), Piero Coda, is dated June 15, 2010. Through the international commission, it is addressed to all the actors of the EoC project.

Piero Coda writes: "While the second year of our academic life at Sophia University Institute is now concluding, a sincere gratitude has made me want to write a big thank you to the members of the international commission and all of the EoC for the decisive contribution made to the birth and beginning of our journey. I send this in the name of the entire academic community: professors, staff and students.

The enormous sum that you have given to us, starting from 2007 (the year the institute was erected), €600,000, has built the foundation of revenue that, together with the initial financing of the Focolare Movement and a consistent contribution by private donors, has made it possible to face the costs of decorating the spaces and the essential instruments for carrying ahead academic life here as a whole (classrooms, library, offices, student residences, etc.).

Besides, the great majority of our students, coming from Latin America, Africa and Asia, are not able to count on adequate financial coverage for their studies, more than that of food and lodging. A part of your contribution was, therefore, given to the supply of the necessary scholarships to these students.

Specialized Course in Civil Economy and Non Profit: Registration Deadline Extended until February 5, 2010

Embark in the world of non-profit

University of Milano-Bicocca - 2009-2010 Academic Year

Objectives: This specialization is geared towards young graduates who want to prepare themselves to work in the Third Sector and to workers who want to deepen their competence in management of non-profits, particularly social cooperatives, NGOs and associations.

The specialization course hopes to offer specific training with respect to civil economy and the management aspects related to NGOs (administration and management, juridical administration, project development and human resources). Candidates will find themselves in an economic science that incorporates ethical and social values.

Download announcement (soon in English)

Caelison Lima de Andrade: the first student of Sophia University Institute to reach the finish line with a Degree, with a thesis on the EoC

An historical day at Sophia

By Daniel Fassa

There is celebration at Sophia University Institute. On June 28, 2010, the Brazilian Caelison Lima de Andrade was the first graduate in the history of the institution. Not only that. He reached this success overcoming the challenge of being blind. In front of the great hall filled with classmates and members of the academic community and staff, Caelison presented the results of his research on the theme "The Relationship between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation in Contemporary Economic Theory: the contributions of the theory and praxis of the Economy of Communion in Freedom project". Professors Luigino Bruni and Vittorio Pelligra were respectively thesis chair and co-chair.

Piero Coda, Dean of the University, was present at the graduation, and he wanted to renew the pact of reciprocal love with everyone present - an essential part of the formative project of life and study at Sophia. He added, "The emotions today are not only those of the candidate but of everyone in the academic community. It is a simple moment in its solemnity and a solemn moment in its simplicity". Luigino Bruni, thesis chair, thanked Caelison for the "serious, rigorous work done with much commitment and in a heroic timeframe". Benedetto Gui and Vittorio Pelligra, not being able to be present, sent a beautiful letter presenting Caelison.

The specialization course in Civil Economics and Non Profit will begin on November 2011

Engaging in non profit

University of Milan Bicocca - Academic Year 2011-2012

The Specialization Course in Civil Economics and Non Profit will again be offered by the University of Milan Bicocca this year. The director of the said program is Luigino Bruni.

The course will be held from November 2011 until July 2012. A big part of the course will cover studies on the Civil Economy and Communion. Among the resource people are  Pierluigi Porta, Stefano Zamagni, Luigino Bruni, Marco Aquini, Giampietro Parolin, Alberto Frassineti and many others. Application can be made online by presenting an admission request. Detailed instructions can be found on the announcement. The deadline of application is on September 15, 2011.

download announcement (deadline 15/09/2011)

see course brochure 
see course link on the website of Bicocca

Promoted by the Archdiocese of Crotone - St. Severina, in collaboration with the Economy of Communion and the support of the Review and Organization Committee of Settimana Sociali dei Cattolici Italiani

The Mediterranean School of Civil Economy and Economy of Communion is Underway

With the convention, "Good wins - Forming oneself through signs that make dreams come true", held last June 5, 2010, in conference hall of Crotone´s Chamber of Commerce, the Mediterranean School of Civil Economy and Economy of Communion became a reality. Around 150 people coming from different parts of Calabria and Sicily took part in the meeting.

The school was strongly encouraged by His Excellency, Mgsr. Domenico Graziani, Archbishop of Crotone - Santa. Severina. It aims at contributing to people´s formation in the culture and governance of businesses and idealistically motivated organizations - those organizations, associations, NGOs, businesses in which the inspiring motive (or that which inspired its creation) is neither primarily profit nor exclusively instrumental elements but an ideal motive, a mission or a "vocation" that, in various ways, arises from the intrinsic motivations of its promoters. It´s a project that considers profit "and instrument for bringing about human and social goals" (Benedict XVI, CIV n.46) and promoting the business as protagonist in creating the common good.

Danile Cerelli participated in the first EoC Summer School last September in Rocca di Papa. He shares his experience with his friends and with us of EoC Online.

A School of Communion

Right away, I was touched by the school´s international characteristic. We came from pretty much all over the world and were people of all types: students, entrepreneurs, professors, workers from all of Europe (Italy, France, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic to name a few) and from various other continents (Argentina, Brazil, the Philippines).