The international Economy of Communion (EoC) Business Network brings existing businesses, interns, and interested supporters together to collaborate and discuss business practices, to report yearly information on business activities, and to share experiences of living communion in the company, community, and worldwide.
Each of the 800 businesses follows EoC guidelines, including profit sharing to help those in need and to foster structures and training programs that promote a culture of giving. The International Economy of Communion website provides details on EoC business guidelines, the latest news and events, plus research and scholarly articles devoted to understanding the values of the EoC.
The beginnings of the Economy of Communion
… An Idea that no one among us would be in need
When The Focolare’s founder, Chiara Lubich, visited the community in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1991, she was touched by the ardent desire of many to have a more effective impact in addressing the social problems of their country. As Lubich reflected with them, they began to see new possibilities.
… The Inspiration to unite worker, owner, work and the world
Why not start businesses –normal, for-profit businesses–which could employ and create profits? These profits could be divided into three parts: for aid for the poor, for education and formation that could help foster a culture of giving, and for the development of the businesses themselves.
… The Economy of Communion is born.
From this project’s inception, a new way of doing business developed, a way through unity, toward which the future could tend–a way of Communion in Freedom.