“There is a lot of distrust vis-à-vis the economy today,” says Prof. Benedetto Gui, economist and professor of political economy at the Sophia University Institute, and promoter of the multimedia exhibition. “Many see it as a machine that crushes people and benefits only a few. This is a part of reality but there is another part that this exhibition wants to make known and bring to light.”

A different economy well described by the acronym “SCiC”. And Gui continues: “This ‘SCiC’ acronym wants to put together the Social Economy, the cooperative tradition and the ferment of new initiatives – the so-called ‘Civil Economy’, which also involves companies as partners in fostering the public interest -, and the ‘Economy of Communion,’ created to respond to poverty and put the person in the center. The outcome is a vision of economic relations and well-being that can offer ways to find a solution to the problems of inequality, conflict, and poverty of meaning.”

In short, it is about an economy capable of acting for a greater good – the common good of cities, communities, and whole nations.

This multimedia exhibition was implemented thanks to the creativity of Chiara Ronconi and Massimo Innocenti, project-makers and visual designers, who have created a path that allows the visitor to undertake a journey to discover the reality of economic development, along with the progress it has generated and to which it is strictly connected. The path continues with the inequalities and problems that still remain, suggesting some stories of economic players who are trying to fight some of these social conflicts.

A task which was a bit of a challenge for them. They told us, “Reflecting about an event that is based on the economy is hard in itself, and exhibiting figures is perhaps even harder. This is why we have devised an experiential path aimed mainly at young people where we introduce conceptually different scenarios and economies. Through video contributions, graphics, and images we wanted to give voice to the protagonists. By getting directly in touch with the sources, visitors can acquire a wealth of information, knowledge, and non-mediated ideas. A first step for future projects as well as for sharing ideas and innovative proposals.”

The inauguration, which is scheduled on May 13, starting at 2.30 pm, at the Polo Lionello Bonfanti, will be attended by: economists Carlo Borzaga, president of the Social Economy Center in Trento (EURICSE) and Luigino Bruni, coordinator of the Economy of Communion Project; Massimo Toschi, former councilor for international cooperation in the Tuscany Region Government; Eva Gullo, entrepreneur and president of EdiC spa; and exhibitors Chiara Ronconi and Massimo Innocenti. It will also be attended by Giulia Mugnai, Mayor of the Municipality of Figline and Incisa Valdarno. The meeting will be moderated by journalist Carlo Cefaloni.

The Polo Lionello Bonfanti, where the exhibition was set up, is the first European Center and convergence point for over 200 Italian companies that are inspired by the Economy of Communion project, a civil economy project that aims to help promoting globall, a more equitable society, with no more destitute. At present, the Polo houses over 20 businesses in various industries: shops, workshops, manufacturing and service companies, professional consulting and training firms. This recently constructed infrastructure includes premises for events of various types. The Polo is part of the international permanent mariapolis of Loppiano.