Top speakers headline conference to help churches rewrite economic witness.

With Pope Francis calling for limits to growth in his Encyclical (Laudato Si’ 193) Christians from around the UK are gathering on 7 November to rethink the churches’ witness on economic justice.

‘Joy in Enough’ (JiE) is an invitation to all people to join in building an economy which is not only just but also respects the ecological limits of the Earth. Launched last year by Green Christian (formerly Christian Ecology Link) and already backed by a number of other faith and environmental organisations from A Rocha to Speak – this year’s ‘Joy in Enough’ 2015 conference, entitled ‘The Economics of Hope’ will feature two world-class speakers.

Molly Scott-Cato MEP speaks on finance for the Green Party and was formerly a professor of economics at Roehampton University whilst Jonathan Rowson is Director of the Social Brain Centre at the Royal Society of Arts where he is conducting research on spirituality, social change and the environment. They will be helping activists, academics and church leaders to update the churches’ teaching and action on economic justice in light of the ecological crisis facing us today.

In addition to these prominent speakers there will be seven workshops ranging from ‘de-marketing’ with the Mothers’ Union, to ‘economic education’ with Rethinking Economics, who since the financial crash have been working to transform how the subject is taught in universities.

The conference takes place on 7 November 2015 at St Michael’s Centre, Stoke Gifford, Bristol.

Paul Bodenham, chair of Green Christian, is due to speak at a meeting of the National Justice and Peace Network this Saturday, 19 September on ‘Francisconomics: the saint, the pope and the economy of enough’.  He says, “The churches have a centuries-long tradition of standing up for economic justice, and have much to be proud of, but the environmental crisis changes everything, from social teaching to campaigning.  At The Economics of Hope we will see that change happening.”

“Even the Pope is saying that some countries may need to retrace their steps if others are to have the healthy growth they need.  In the UK we have reached the point where simply growing our way out of poverty would cost our children dear.  There are serious economists offering an alternative, positive model of prosperity which serves both people and planet.  They deserve far more airtime than they currently get in the media and academia.  We want to help the churches to work alongside them to build a spirited movement for economic change, and plan to publish a declaration next year to rally that movement”.

You are invited to join them and have your say. For tickets (priced between £5 – £20) and more information on the ‘Joy in Enough’ project visit www.greenchristian.org.uk/joy.