D.C. 2015: New Horizons of the EoC in North America
On July 17-19, over 5
0 participants gathered from all over the US and Canada to attend the annual meeting of the Economy of Communion (EoC), which was hosted by the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C.
The varied audience of entrepreneurs, academics, students and business professionals engaged in 3 days of rich and intense dialogue around an economy based on a culture of communion. The program featured exchanges about business practices and experiences of EoC members, alongside interactive workshops.
The experience of the EoC over the past few years has revealed how poverty and wealth can be seen through a richer lens when lived from the perspective of communion. Meeting participants explored the many facets of need (not just material), and how wealth can turn into ‘super-abundance’ when shared as part of relationships grounded in reciprocity.
The question and answer sessions by Prof. Gallagher (Maryville College) and Prof. Buckeye (St. Thomas), authors of the recent book on the EoC in North America called “Structures of Grace”, as well as a presentation led by Prof. Zuniga (CUA) on recent analysis of a social project supported by the EoC, provided examples of how the EoC can help generate true integral development of individuals and communities. These research contributions have helped to measure the impact of the EoC with new rigor, and more clearly articulate its activities and culture.
Experiences shared by EoC members and interactive sessions animated by Amy Uelmen (Georgetown University), Prof. Cloutier (Mount St Mary’s), Prof. Miguel Garcia-Cestona (Univ. Autonoma) and Claude Blanc (CHB Associates) highlighted the transformational role that each one of us can have in fostering a culture of communion in the workplace and in our communities, and how this often manifests itself in small everyday choices that we face.
The workshops were very hands-on and helped kick-start 3 new projects that were identified as priorities for the upcoming year:
- Form a strong EoC network in North America.
- Articulate the EoC principles in terms best suited for a North American audience.
- Identify the criteria for selecting a social development project in North America that the EoC can support, beyond current support of projects overseas.
Feedback from new and repeat participants point to a luminous discovery and re-discovery of the EoC, and of a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to the continued development of the EoC in North America.
For more information about the North American Association of the EoC and to register to the blog, go to www.eocnoam.org.
Economy of Communion 