杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

According to Jeffrey Sachs, it all starts with the need for global awareness. People require an education and an understanding of 鈥渢he need for a moral framework for our economy鈥�. Speaking to Vatican Radio鈥檚 Fausta Speranza, the Columbia University professor mentions that 杏MAP导航 Francis has called hundreds of young economists to Assisi at the end of March for an event entitled 鈥榯he economy of Francis鈥�. This, he says, 鈥渨ill be a major opportunity to establish a new moral foundation to the science in teaching economics鈥�, something which he adds we need 鈥渧ery much鈥�.  

The Vatican is currently hosting a one-day workshop entitled 鈥淣ew forms of solidarity towards fraternal inclusion, integration and innovation鈥�. There, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs gave a keynote speech entitled 鈥楻estoring the ethical foundations of economics鈥�.

Mr Sachs mentions that, through events hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Science, 杏MAP导航 Francis has spoken to many industry leaders before 鈥� such as leaders of the oil industry. There, says Jeffrey Sachs, he reminded them of their responsibility to the Creation, and to the protection of humanity. 鈥淚 know that many of them listen鈥�, he adds, but 鈥渦nfortunately not all of them sufficiently鈥�.

Presenting new ideas

鈥淚deas are extremely important鈥�, says Mr Sachs, 鈥渂ecause we are shaped by our education鈥�. He recalls that now, 鈥渁s an adult who has been practicing economics for 40 years鈥�, he understands that some of what he was taught 鈥渁bout basic questions of human nature, and basic questions of ethics鈥� were 鈥渏ust incorrect鈥�. So, he continues, it is so important that new ideas be 鈥渟ound鈥�, in order for them to form part of the education of young people.

鈥淭he Church calls it discernment and Aristotle called it the cultivation of virtues鈥�, he says. Ideas play an important role, but 鈥渃oncretely. What can we do?鈥�

The aim

鈥淭he aim is what the Church calls integral human development and what the UN calls sustainable development鈥�. This, he explains, means that our economies 鈥渟hould not only be productive but also socially inclusive鈥�. As the UN says, 鈥榣eave no one behind鈥�, as the Church says 鈥榓 dignity for all people and environmentally safe鈥�.

The 鈥渧ery important agenda鈥� which, Mr Sachs says, includes the Paris Climate Agreement that 杏MAP导航 Francis 鈥渉as so strongly supported鈥� could 鈥済uide us very practically to what we need to do鈥�.

An economy based on Laudato Sí

Finally, Mr Sachs says that the panel discussion is deeply informed by the Church's social teachings. 鈥淚t's inspired by 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥�, he says, as a reflection of his Laudato Sí because, as the 杏MAP导航 expresses in his encyclical, this issue is not only for believers and for those who follow the Church. 鈥淭his is for a global dialogue鈥�, because 鈥渋nterdependence obliges us to think of a common plan and this is in the service of that Global dialogue鈥�.