Taking care of work for a new economy: The experience of The Economy of Francesco

Abstract

This paper presents a summary of the experience of the “Work and Care” thematic village of The Economy of Francesco, which reflected on a wide range of topics related to the future of work, both as a means for sustainment and as personal and professional fulfillment, in close relationship with care for others and creation. In the first part, we outline a conceptual framework based on the social teachings of the Church; we highlight insights from economics and personal experiences, according to which work has an essentially relational nature and requires care itself in the face of current global and moral threats. Then we explore three possible applications (care for the disregarded, a “part-time for all” proposal, and a “flexicurity” approach to the labor market), highlighting potential economic and social benefits as well as discussing their limitations, mostly due to limited immediate feasibility