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Kemm hu faċli li wieħed jiddiskuti l-ekonomija u x-xogħol bl-għajnuna ta’ esperti fil-qasam iżda mingħajr xkiel kummerċjali, politiku jew personali? Din kienet l-esperjenza ta’ dawk li ħadu sehem fis-seminar bit-tema “Liema Profitt għandu l-akbar valur?” organizzat mill-Moviment tal-Fokolari fis-7 ta’ April.
Is-Seminar beda bi preżentazzjoni qasira li ntroduċiet it-tema lill-udjenza kbira preżenti. Ġie spjegat kif il-perspettiva dominanti fl-istudju tal-Business Studies u fil-prattika tan-negozju hija li l-għan aħħari ta’ kwalunkwe negozju huwa li tagħmel profitt. Missirijietna kienu tal-istess ħsieb meta wieħed jikkunsidra diversi qwiel bħal, per eżempju, li “Fin-negozju m’għandux ikun hemm ħbieb”, jew “L-ebda negozju mal-ħbieb ”. L-isforz kontinwu biex jitnaqqsu l-ispejjeż jista’ jwassal lill-kumpaniji biex jimpjegaw ħaddiema li jkunu lesti jitħallsu inqas, li jisfruttaw ċertu provvedimenti leġislattivi u anke xi drabi jinjoraw regolamenti dwar is-Saħħa u s-Sigurta. Xi negozji jaslu sal-punt li jirrilokaw il-post tan-negozju sabiex isibu pagi dejjem aktar baxxi, infurzar fjakk tal-istandards tax-xogħol u nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn l-ambjent.
L-istruttura ekonomika attwali wasslet biex 26 individwu akkumulaw ġid li huwa ekwivalenti għal dak tal-ifqar nofs tal-popolazzjoni tad-dinja. Fi kliem ieħor, 26 persuna għandhom ġid daqs 3.2 biljun persuna. Fil-fatt l-istatistiċi juru li 10.9% tal-popolazzjoni tad-dinja issa tgħix fuq inqas minn 2 dollari Amerikani kuljum.
Il-parteċipanti fis-Seminar imbagħad intalbu jistaqsu jekk il-profitt fin-negozju jew it-tkabbir ekonomiku ta’ nazzjon għandhomx jibqgħu l-indikaturi ideali ta’ suċċess, jew humiex biss indikaturi parzjali. Il-bilanċ pożittiv għadu joffri l-aqwa garanzija għal kwalità ta’ ħajja aħjar għal kull individwu? Kull persuna fl-ekonomiji tad-dinja qegħda timxi ‘l quddiem bl-istess ritmu?
Dawn it-temi ġew diskussi b’mod estensiv minn bord ta’ esperti inkluż il-Professur Simone Borg, Kap tad-Dipartiment tal-Liġi Ambjentali u tar-Riżorsi fl-Università, Joseph F. X. Zahra, ekonomista u konsulent korporattiv maħtur mill-Papa Franġisku biex imexxi l-kummissjoni ta’ riforma ekonomika u amministrattiva tal-Vatikan, Dr. Arthur Galea Salomone, avukat u eks-President tal-Borża ta’ Malta u direttur ta’ bank, is-Sinjura Vivienne Attard, eks-president tal-iskola The Voice English Language School u s-Sinjura Giulia Pace, Konsulent fl-Ekonomija mad-ditta EY.
Huwa evidenti li s-sistemi ekonomiċi mhumiex qed iwasslu distribuzzjoni ġusta tal-ġid. Il-Papa Franġisku jfakkarna li l-kelma “solidarjetà” hija nieqsa minn bosta proposti ta’ proġetti ġodda. Liema mudell ġdid ta’ negozju jista’ jiggarantixxi “solidarjetà”?
Il-kelliema saħqu fuq il-ħtieġa għal edukazzjoni akbar fl-imġieba morali u fl-etika u kontra l-indifferenza, l-ipokrisija u nuqqas ta’ koerenza. Hemm għarfien akbar li mhux biss l-azzjonist tal-kumpanija li għandu leħen li għandu jinstema’, imma l-partijiet kollha li għandhom interess fl-azjenda, inklużi l-ħaddiema u l-komunità fejn jopera n-negozju.
Is-sensibilizzazzjoni tal-konsumaturi permezz tal-edukazzjoni qed ikollha wkoll impatt fuq kif persuni jixtru u jikkunsmaw. Kull konsumatur jista’ jagħmel differenza fil-ħajja tagħna ta’ kuljum, billi jippromwovi ekonomija li tiżgura li kull min ibiegħ qed jieħu ħsieb li jiddisponi sewwa mill-iskart li jkun iġġenerat mill-prodott tiegħu.
L-iktar bilanċ pożittiv fin-negozju għandu jkun id-dinjità tal-persuna umana. Il-profitt huwa meħtieġ, iżda kull negozju għandu jimmira li jkun komunità ta’ persuni li jagħtu servizz lis-soċjetà.
In-numru ikbar ta’ nisa fil-qasam tax-xogħol jista’ jkun li qed jikkontribwixxi għal perspettiva aktar umana u għal għarfien akbar li, b’metodi aktar integrati, l-aspett finanzjarju tan-negozju għandu jagħti każ aktar mhux biss tal-profitt iżda wkoll tal-istaff u tal-komunità. Il-gvernijiet u l-kumpanniji madwar id-dinja għandhom ukoll jiftiehmu dwar kif jirrikonoxxu l-kontribut siewi ħafna ta’ dawk il-persuni li jagħżlu li jieqfu jaħdmu għal xi żmien sabiex irabbu t-tfal tagħhom.
Il-Professur Simone Borg enfasizzat l-ħtieġa li jitħares l-ambjent. Il-kliem “Ekoloġija” u “Ekonomija” it-tnejn oriġinaw mill-kelma Griega għal “ambjent familjari”, imma kemm tassew l-ekonomiji dinjija qed jieħdu ħsieb l-ambjent familjari tal-pjaneta tagħna? Qegħdin infittxu l-ġid veru tal-individwu?
Is-Sinjura Vivienne Attard imbagħad spjegat xi tfisser l-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni, inizjattiva tal-Moviment tal-Fokolari u mpenn konkret biex jindirizza problemi soċjali serji billi joħloq negozji li huma partijiet integrali tal-komunitajiet ta’ madwarhom. Il-proġett jitlob li n-negozji li jipparteċipaw jagħtu impenn, wara li jkun sar investiment xieraq fis-sostenibbiltà tan-negozju, li parti mill-profitti tagħhom jingħataw bħala għajnuna għal dawk fil-bżonn u parti oħra tmur sabiex titrawwem ‘“kultura ta’ għotja”.
L-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni tgħin lil dawk fil-bżonn permezz ta’ profitti ġġenerati min-negozji, iżda tqis ukoll bħala aktar importanti li l-impjegati, l-klijenti u l-pubbliku ġenerali jkunu rispettati b’mod ġust u uman.
Is-Sinjura Attard kienet waħda mill-fundaturi ta’ skola tal-Ingliż f’Malta li twaqqfet 25 sena ilu bħala negozju tal-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni. Hija bdiet il-preżentazzjoni tagħha billi kkwotat silta qasira mill-Ittra Appostolika tal-Papa Franġisku ‘Evangelii Gaudium’:
“Huwa veru …. li ħafna drabi naraw inġustizzji, ħażen, indifferenza ….. imma t-tajjeb dejjem jiffjorixxi u jixtered. Kuljum fid-dinja, is-sbuħija terġa’ titfaċċa, u tinfirex fuq it-taqlib tal-istorja.”
Proposta bħal din f’dinja li tagħmel il-flus bħala l-idolu tagħha tista’ faċilment twassal biex wieħed jaħseb li din hija sempliċement utopika jew jistaqsi: imma dan jista’ fil-fatt iseħħ? Fl-1992, sena biss wara, diġà kien hemm 230 negozju lesti li jħaddnu din il-proposta. Illum hemm aktar minn 700 negozju u hemm ukoll Industrial Estates fejn in-negozji kollha jħaddnu l-ispirtu tal-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni.
Chiara kienet saħqet li l-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni m’għandhiex twassal biss għat-tkattir ta’ negozji ġodda, iżda għandha tiżviluppa bħala xjenza. Il-websajt tagħha: http://www.ecodicom.net/tesi.php tinkludi għexieren ta’ teżijiet dwar is-suġġett li tfasslu minn studenti mill-kontinenti kollha.
Din il-proposta rnexxielha tlaqqa’ flimkien żewġ realtajiet – dawk tal-Ekonomija u tal-Komunjoni – li l-kultura kontemporanja żżomm il-bogħod minn xulxin, jekk mhux addirittura tikkonfronta. Għalhekk mhux biss tħaddan il-prinċipji tradizzjonali tal-etika soċjali bħall-onestà u t-trasparenza, iżda tkattar ukoll prinċipji oħra bħal dawk tal-għotja, ir-reċiproċità u l-fraternità.
F’din l-Ekonomija, is-sid tan-negozju huwa aġent ta’ komunjoni, mhux biss minħabba li s-sid ikun lest jagħti parti mill-profitt fl-aħħar tas-sena, iżda iktar u aktar minħabba li jkun lest jibdel l-imġieba tiegħu mal-oħrajn, billi ma jħallix il-poter jegħleb fil-bini ta’ relazzjonijiet ġenwini, u fil-ħolqien ta’ ambjent ta’ tmexxija li hu moralment sod.
L-Ekonomija tat-Komunjoni hija ekonomija ta’ fraternità, li mhux biss tpoġġi lill-bniedem fiċ-ċentru tagħha biex tħeġġeġ li wieħed iħobb lil ħaddieħor bħalu nnifsu, imma wkoll biex wieħed iħobb in-negozji l-oħra bħallikieku kienu tiegħu. Hija tirrispetta r-responsabbiltà soċjali u għalhekk taħdem fl-interess ta’ dawk kollha involuti fin-negozju. Mhux biss tfittex li tegħleb il-faqar billi taqsam il-ġid, iżda wkoll tippromwovi attitudnijiet ġodda lejn il-foqra, u tikkunsidra lil dawk fil-bżonn bħala msieħba li jistgħu jagħtu s-sehem tagħhom f’dan il-proġett.
L-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni hija vuċi f’dinja li qed tinbidel: vuċi żgħira meta mqabbla mal-vuċijiet b’saħħithom tal-ekonomija tad-dinja. Iżda l-għeruq tagħha jinsabu fi “bżonn imnaqqax fil-qalb tal-bniedem maħluq xbieha ta’ Alla li hu Mħabba u li jsib il-milja meta jħobb u jagħti minn dak li hu tiegħu” – dan huwa kif spjegatha Chiara Lubich, u għaldaqstant aħna nemmnu li fiha tinsab qawwa – dik il-qawwa ta’ “żewġ ħutiet u ħames ħobżiet li jistgħu jitimgħu il-folol” kif qalilna l-Papa Franġisku.
L-Ekonomija tal-Komunjoni hija realtà dinamika li wasslet għall-Ekonomija Profetika (http://www.propheticeconomy.org/). Fi kliem l-ekonomista Amerikan Jeffrey Sachs hija ‘ekonomija li topera …… fil-viżjoni tal-ġustizzja u l-paċi, li tissodisfa l-ħtiġijiet tal-ifqar u tipproteġi l-kreazzjoni ‘.
Dawn l-idejali sbieħ twasslu aktar qrib tal-parteċipanti fl-aħħar parti tas-seminar meta industrijalist, tekniku li ilu jaħdem f’Malta għal dawn l-aħħar tliet snin u intraprenditur żagħżugħ qasmu kif jgħixu l-etika u l-prattiċi tax-xogħol fil-ħajja tax-xogħol tagħhom. Ir-rispett tal-liġi u l-apprezzament ta’ kull individwu, kemm jekk kollega, klijent jew xi ħadd li qed ifittex ix-xogħol, huma l-mod normali ta’ kif isir in-negozju imma wasslu biex iġġeneraw relazzjonijiet li damu tul ħajjithom u żiedu l-profitti tagħhom f’aktar modi milli wieħed kien jistenna.
Iż-żgħażagħ ukoll kellhom ħafna x’jagħtu u Lea Ungaro u Joanne Ciantar ma ddiżappuntawx. Lea qasmet il-fehmiet tagħha dwar inċentivi tax-xogħol għaż-żgħażagħ, żvilupp sostenibbli, xogħol prekarju u edukazzjoni li jimmassimizza l-abilitajiet tal-istudenti. Dawn kienu ftit mill-proposti li hija kienet ressqet fil-Parlament taż-żgħażagħ.
Joanne spjegat b’mod ċar ir-rabta bejn l-ekonomija u l-ambjent u qasmet mal-parteċipanti fis-seminar dawk id-deċiżjonijiet li ħadet u li biddlu l-mod kif kienet tgħix fl-isforz tagħha biex tgħin fl-ambjent waqt li taħdem ma’ attivisti oħra biex iġġib bidla tassew fejn hi meħtieġa.
Kien Seminar li pprovda ħafna fuqiex wieħed jixtarr iżda li kabbar wkoll it-tama, partikolarment meta rajna biċ-ċar li l-Ekonomija Profetika qed taħdem sew fuq il-livell lokali kif ukoll fuq dak globali.
Sonia & André Camilleri
See published article in New City Magazine: https://www.newcity.co.uk/july-2019-n-535/[:en]
How often does one get to discuss the economy and work with the help of experts in the field and yet free from any commercial, political or personal constraints? Not very often. Yet this was the experience of those who participated in the seminar entitled “Which Profit has the greatest Value?” organized by the Focolare Movement on 7th April.
A brief presentation introduced the topic to the large audience present. It highlighted the prevalent view in Business Studies and practice that the ultimate goal of any business is to make a profit. Our forefathers were clearly on the same wavelength considering various sayings such as ‘In business there should be no friends’, or ‘No business with friends’. The relentless drive to cut costs may lead companies to employ workers who are ready to be paid less, use legislative loop-holes and at times disregard Health and Safety regulations. Some businesses may go to the extent of relocating in search of ever lower wages, weaker enforcement of work standards and total disregard for the environment.
The current economic set up has resulted in 26 individuals accumulating wealth that is equivalent to that of the poorest half of the world’s population. In other words, 26 persons own as much wealth as 3.2 billion persons. In fact statistics show that 10.9 % of the world’s population now lives on less than 2 US dollars.
The audience was then challenged to ask whether profit in business or the economic growth of a nation are still the ideal or only partial indicators of success. Are positive bottom lines still offering the best guarantee to a better quality of life for each individual. Are all the people in the world’s economies advancing at an equal pace?
The issues were then discussed extensively by a panel of experts including Professor Simone Borg, Head of the Department of Environmental and Resources Law at the University, Joseph F. X. Zahra an economist and corporate consultant appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican’s economic and administrative reform commission, Dr Arthur Galea Salomone, a lawyer and former Malta Stock Exchange Chairman and bank director, Mrs Vivienne Attard, former chairperson of The Voice English Language School and Ms Giulia Pace, Consultant in Economics at EY.
It is evident that economic systems are not delivering a fair distribution of wealth. Pope Francis reminds us that the word “solidarity” is missing from many project proposals. Which new business model can guarantee “solidarity”?
The speakers highlighted the need for a greater education in moral behaviour and ethics and against indifference, hypocrisy and double standards. There is a greater awareness that it is not just the shareholder of the company that has a voice which must be heard, but all stakeholders including the workers and the community where the business operates. Consumer awareness through education is also having an impact on buying and consumption habits. Every consumer can make a difference in our daily life, promoting a circular economy that ensures whoever sells is also taking care of properly disposing of the waste generated by its product.
The most valid bottom line ought to be the dignity of the human person. Profit is necessary, but every business should aim to be a community of persons giving a service to society.
The greater number of women in the work environment may be contributing to a more humane approach and a greater awareness that, in a more integrated approach, the business financials have to take account not only of profit but of staff and the community. Governments and the corporate community worldwide also need to agree on how to recognise the highly valuable contribution of those persons who opt to quit work for some time in order to raise their children.
Professor Simone Borg underlined the need to protect the environment. The words “Ecology” and “Economy” both derive from the Greek word for “household”, but are world economies truly managing our earth home? Are we seeking the general well-being of the individual?
Mrs Vivienne Attard then gave a presentation on The Economy of Communion, an initiative of the Focolare Movement and a concrete attempt to address acute social problems by creating businesses that are integral parts of their communities. The project requires member businesses to commit, after an appropriate investment in the sustainability of the business, a part of their profits to direct aid for those in need and another part toward nurturing a “culture of giving”.
The Economy of Communion is able to help those in need through profits generated by the businesses, but also considers as paramount its fair and humane treatment of employees, clients, and the general public.
Mrs Attard was a founder member of a language school in Malta incorporated 25 years ago as an Economy of Communion business. She kicked off her presentation by quoting a short excerpt from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter ‘Evangelii Gaudium’:
“It is true (…) that very often we see injustices, evil, indifference (…) but good always blossoms and spreads. Everyday in the world, beauty sprouts up again, and spreads over the upheaval of history.”
Such a proposal in a world which makes money as its idol might easily lead one to think that this is merely utopic or to ask: but can this actually take place? In 1992, just a year later, there were already 230 businesses ready to adhere to this proposal. Today they number more than 700 and there are also Industrial Estates where all businesses embrace the spirit of the Economy of Communion. Chiara Lubich had stressed that the Economy of Communion should not limit itself to spawning new businesses, but should become a science. This website links to scores of theses on the topic submitted by students from all continents.
This proposal managed to bring together two realities – those of Economy and Communion – that contemporary culture keeps apart, if not even puts at loggerheads. So it does not only embrace the traditional principles of social ethics such as honesty and transparency, but also enhances other principles such as those of gratuity, reciprocity and fraternity.
In this Economy, the owner of the business is an agent of communion, not merely because she/he is ready to give part of the profit at the end of the year, but more so because she/he is ready to change one’s behaviour with others, in not letting power overcome, in building genuine relationships, in creating an environment of morally sound leadership.
The Economy of Communion is an economy of fraternity, that not only puts the human being at its centre spurring one to love others as oneself, but also to love other businesses as one’s own. It upholds social responsibility and therefore works in the interest of all those involved in the business. Not only does it seek to overcome poverty by sharing goods, but also promotes new attitudes towards the poor, and considers those in need as partners who can give their share in this project.
The Economy of Communion is a voice in a changing world: a small voice compared to the strong voices of the economy of the world. But its roots lie in “a need etched in the heart of man who was created in the image of God who is Love and who finds fulfilment when he loves and gives of what is his” – this is how Chiara Lubich explained it, so we believe that in it lies a strength – that strength of “two fishes and five loaves that can feed the multitudes” as Pope Frances told us.
The Economy of Communion is a dynamic reality and has lead to the Prophetic Economy. In the words of the American Economist Jeffrey Sachs it is “an economy that operates (…) in the vision of justice and peace, satisfying the needs of the poorest and protecting creation”.
The final part of the seminar brought the high ideals spoken of within our reach as an industrialist, a technician working in Malta for the past three years and a young entrepreneur shared the work ethics and practices in their working lives. Respect for the law and appreciation of each individual, be it a colleague, a client or someone asking for a job, were normal ways of doing business but generated relationships that lasted a lifetime and enhanced their profits in more ways than one would expect.
The young also had a lot to contribute and Lea Ungaro and Joanne Ciantar did not disappoint. Lea shared her views on work incentives for young people, sustainable development, precarious work and education that maximizes students’ abilities, among other opinions that she had presented at the Young People’s Parliament.
Joanne clearly explained the link between the economy and the environment and shared her life-changing decisions in her effort to do her bit for the planet while working with other activists to bring real change where it matters.
It was a Seminar that provided a lot of food for thought but also a great deal of hope especially as we saw evidence of the Prophetic Economy taking off both on the micro and the macro level.
Sonia & André Camilleri
See published article in New City Magazine: https://www.newcity.co.uk/july-2019-n-535/[:]
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