The course, which will start next 13 February and will be held in English, is being run in collaboration with Economy of Communion. Registration open until 7 February
Sophia University Institute offers the course in mixed mode to all those interested ECO 107 «Social, Civil, and Communion Enterprises», as part of the curriculum «Economia, sostenibilità, comunione» of its Licence program on “Culture of Unity”. Guest participants are also admitted to the course, who can attend both face-to-face and online.
The course is structured over 11 lessons of 1h 45' each and will run from 13 February to 28 May 2024, with a break over the Easter period. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 11.30 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. Central European Time (CEST+1) until 31 March and Central European Summer Time (CEST+2) from 1 April 2024.
The course is an introduction to the rich world of private business initiatives having a purpose different from profit, with a special focus on the Economy of Communion. Topics are:
- The place of solidarity, inclusion, and communion in economic life
- Forms of Social and Civil Enterprises: Co-operatives, Non-profit organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations in Development Aid, Social Enterprises, Fair Trade Organizations
- The Economy of Communion in practice: intrinsic motivations, human resource management, sustainable strategies, decision-making, entrepreneurship, business parks, supporting people in economic hardship
Most lectures will feature the dialogue with a qualified guest, scholar or practitioner, in person or online. 
Participants will receive a certificate of attendance and can obtain 3 ECTS credits by passing an examination based on a written essay and an in-person interview.
The participation fee is 300 € (reductions are available). Applications, accompanied by personal details, curriculum vitae and motivational statement of no more than 200 words, must be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 7 February. Participants wishing to apply for financial support are invited to apply as soon as possible and to justify their request.
Course lecturers:
- Benedetto Gui, is a former Professor of Economics in Italian Universities and at Sophia University Institute; he is a past member of the International Economy of Communion Commission
- Annette Balaoing Pelkmans is Senior Research Associate at the Rotterdam School of Management and Visiting Professor at the University of the Philippines.
- Giampietro Parolin is an adjunct professor of Strategic Management at Sophia University Institute and financial manager of the Student Service at the University of Padua.
Some of the guest speakers
- Steve Azeumo, Management Consultant and Coordinator of Action for Economy of Communion in Central Africa (AECAC), Yaounde (Cameroon).
- Alberto Ferrucci, President of Prometheus, Genoa (Italy); former coordinator of the International Commission Economy of Communion
- Andrew Gustafson, professor of business ethics at Creighton University, Omaha (Nebraska, USA), and director of Communion Property Real Estate
- Florencia Locascio, Coordinator of start-up projects at Business Entrepreneurs' SF500 Life Science Fund, Rosario (Argentina), formerly Project Manager of the Prophetic Economy International Event
- Pier Angelo Mori, professor of Economics, University of Florence (Italy); scholar of community economic organizations
- Paolo Rossi PhD, president of Promos SB (Social Business Consulting) 
and COL'OR (Development Cooperation), Brescia (Italy)
- Francesco Tortorella, Head of Development Cooperation at Azione Mondo Unito (Rome, Italy) and NGO Consultant
