The online course, which will start on April 1 and will be held in English, is organized in collaboration with Economy of Communion Korea. Registration is open until March 25.
The Sophia University Institute offers offers an online course entitled “Social, Civil, and Communion Enterprises”, with the collaboration and the support of “Economy of Communion - Korea”. The course is part of Sophia’s licentiate program in the “Culture of Unity”, but can also be attended by guest students, up to a maximum of 25 attendees. The fee is 300 €. Reductions and waivers are available.
The course is an introduction to private business organizations which have aims that look beyond profit, with a special focus on those participating in the “Economy of Communion” initiative.
Topics include:
The various forms of enterprises with ideal aims- The role of intrinsic, other-regarding and relational motivations
- Sharing profits for the common good
- Countering inequality and the various forms of poverty with a culture of encounter
- How businesses can be inclusive
- Promoting entrepreneurship with ideal aims
- Financing for social impact
The course comprises 11 sessions held on Wednesdays, from 1.30 to 3.15 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+02), from April 1 to June 10, 2026.
Lecturers are:
Benedetto Gui, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Sophia University Institute and former Professor at various Italian State Universities; past member of the International Economy of Communion Commission
Giampietro Parolin Lecturer in Business Strategy at the Sophia University Institute, and on the Theology of Political and Economic Practice at the Institute of Religious Sciences, Trent (Italy), Financial Manager at the Student Service Body for the University of Padua (Italy).
Qualified guest speakers will also be invited to participate in some sessions (see incomplete list below).
Guest students can earn 3 ECTS (credits) by attending regularly, doing the assignments and passing an exam conducted in person at Sophia, based on a written essay. Those who do not obtain credits will be sent a Certificate of Participation.
Applications, including personal data, an updated CV, a passport-type photo and a brief statement of motivation (150 words maximum) are to be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than Wednesday March 25. They will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.
Applicants will be notified as to acceptance within ten days. Those requesting reduction or waivers are invited to apply soon and add a justification.
The list of guest speakers includes:
- Elizabeth Garlow, co-founder of Francesco Collaborative Impact Investing (Detroit, Michigan) and fellow of New America's New Practice Lab (Washington DC).
- Lorna Gold, PhD in Economic Geography at the University of Glasgow (UK), Executive Director of the Laudato Sì Movement
- Andrew Gustafson, Professor of Business Ethics at Creighton University, Omaha (Nebraska), and Principal of Communion Property Real Estate
- Isaias Hernando Chicote, Manager and Entrepreneur based in Logroño (Spain), Coordinator of the Economy of Communion International Commission
- Gregorio Pellegrino, Chief Officer at Effatà Publishing (Turin, Italy) and member of the International EoC Commission
- Francesco Tortorella, Expert in Development Cooperation, Executive Director of the International Association for an Economy of Communion (Rome, Italy)
Download the pdf flyer (236 KB)