Here is a list of initiatives to which I take part (apart from my participation to CERAS):
1) I give lectures in various places :
1-a) Mathematical economics at the Sorbonne in Master 2 (Paris-1 university)
1-b) The economic crisis for non-specialists at the Centre Sèvres (jesuit Center, Paris).
1-c) Micro-economics in a warming planet in the 3rd year of ESCP-Europe (Business school in Paris).
2) lead a Parliamentarian club (together with Sister Cécile Renouard, ra) “Oikonomia” : we gather French members of Parliament and senators from every party and give them lectures in economics and finance during the lunch (but not recto tono!).
3) am the supervisor of 5 Ph.D students (a first one defended his thesis a couple of months ago) in mathematical economics and finance.
4) take part to a research program at Essec (another business school) lead by Cécile Renouard on the corporate social responsibility of multinationals in Southern countries : Total in the Niger Delta (Nigeria) ; Danone (water distribution) in Indonesia ; Veolia (water distribution) in India (Nagpur). We run surveys on the field in order to assess the social impact of the activity of these companies and of the development projects they (try to) put into practice. For this purpose, we have developed various indices: a poverty exit index and a relational capability index.
5) I also organize a research seminar at the Centre Sèvres (still together with Cécile Renouard) on anthropology and social justice.
6) My research field in theoretical economics deals with general equilibrium theory and game theory (probably the most “orthodox” core of economic theory), trying to show that, even within this framework, one can prove that market capitalism does not work and need to be changed. For instance, I’m currently finishing a theoretical paper proving that, in the current context of deregulated markets, we have actually 3, and only 3, global scenarii : a) either a reduction of the inefficient distribution of resources with low unemployment but high inflation ; b) or deflation (with high unemployment) ; else c) financial bubbles that, sooner or later, lead to a big collapse. Since euroliberalism has succeeded in convincing so many people that inflation is akin to the “original sin”, our economies are now hesitating between deflation and collapse (unless we completely change our economic rules).
7) belong to the committee of “founders’” of Finance watch, a European organization, connected with the European Parliament, and devoted to observing and analyzing the attempts (not) to regulate financial industry in Europe.
8) publish papers in academic journals, in “our” journals (Etudes, Projet, Recherches de sciences religieuses, Fomento social…), in newspapers. Conferences in academic circles, for NGOs, perishes, think tanks, the French bishops’conference… Participation to some “brainstorming” of the COMECE.
For the academic year 2011-2012 the Institute of Political Education “Pedro Arrupe” (Palermo, Italy) will organize two high education post graduates courses:
1. “Fund raising and Europroject Management” which enables participants to use the funding opportunities offered by the European Commission and to manage European projects.
In particular, participants will acquire the following skills:
• Correct comprehension of calls for proposal for funding
• Knowledge of the funding opportunities granted by the European Union
• Bringing together all necessary documents for the application’s submission
• Building an appropriate transnational partnership
• Planning of budgeting of the application
• Studying of the procedures necessary for the presentation of the application.
2. “Enhancement of immigrants Human Resources and vulnerable groups” whose objective is to specialize professionals with appropriate skills for efficient and effective management of issues concerning the migration phenomenon in a ethical dimension with particular emphasis on protecting migrants and specific target groups (women victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, refugees and asylum seekers).
- Opening up: A Path Beyond Fear. The aim of this book is to help place the fears that Maltese have for foreigners today.
- L-Edukazzjoni F’Malta f’salib it-toroq: This publication is a response to the document which the government had published on the reforms in education. This booklet has now been distributed to all the government schools. A seminar discussing this paper was held on the 9th of February 2011 in collaboration with St Aloysius College and Paulo Freire Institute.
You will always have the poor among you: This publication aims at raising an awareness of the different types of poverty which exist but which are not being acknowledged or addressed
Voices of Hope: Africa and its Future: This publication includes a translation in Maltese and a CD. It includes a public lecture which was given by Ms. Marguerite Barankitse in Malta in May 2010 at the invitation of the Centre. We hope that Maggy’s powerful message would help all of us to see our brother and sister in each person we meet.
FRANET: The Centre has been awarded the tender ‘Provision of data collection and research services in fundamental rights issues’. A contract for a year and renewable for three years has been signed and a team of around twelve experts will write reports on different aspects of Fundamental Rights in Malta for the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU. These reports will be integrated in the FRA’s EU wide reports.
Catholic Social Teachings Course
The Centre, with the collaboration of the Pastoral Formation Institute is offering a two year Catholic Social Teachings Course. The course is aimed at persons who have an important influence in Society.
The setting up of CFJ Youths.
A reflection group called CFJ youths has been set up. Some of these youths had gone for a conference on the role of Christians in Politics organised by European Jesuits in Venice These youths brought over some of their friends. The reflection group has met once a month this year to reflect together on some topical social issue in the light of the Catholic Social teaching.
I do my work through the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Dublin. Two main foci for this coming year: a) theological reflection on the economic situation in Ireland and our world – giving a paper at a seminar organized by the Irish School of Ecumenics in October on this topic. b) Church renewal – am involved with the Episcopal Conference on Justice and Peace, with a lay group called Omega, with the Association of Catholic Priests (in Ireland) and on a Jesuit Provincial Advisory Board, as well as some other groups/individuals, all of whom are exercised by this issue. Will giving a series of lectures with theologians Jim Corkery SJ and Sue Mulligan in our Dublin Manresa Retreat House after Christmas.
Our Centre will host the Scribani Conference on prison reform next September in Dublin.
In the ear future we will be preoccupied with the structural changes connoted with becoming the office of social coordination of the CEP in relation to social ministries and social centres – while trying to preserve the most important of our present work.
In my own case I am occupied with two main examples of how Catholic Social Teaching bears on current affairs: the financial crisis and the functioning of the economy; and the relation between magisterial authority and professional competence in the case of Catholic development agencies
In the near future we at the Jesuit European Office will be preoccupied with the structural changes connoted with our becoming the office of social coordination of the CEP in relation to social ministries and social centres – while continuing to develop the most important of our present work: some quite difficult tasks of prioritising.
In my personal work I am occupied with two main examples of how Catholic Social Teaching bears on current affairs: the financial crisis and the functioning of the economy; and the relation between magisterial authority and professional competence in the case of Catholic development agencies: I am doing this through pubic speaking and consultancy.
Institute for Social and Development Studies at the Munich School of Philosophy
Our actually most dynamic field of activities is the thematic area called “World economy, justice and sustainable of resources”. Just to name some “project lines”:
1. The interdisciplinary project “Climate change and justice. Climate policy as a component of fair globalisation and sustainable poverty reduction” has been finished. An extented English publication of the final report by Springer publishing house will soon be published. Additionally, the institute is part of the international climate ethics network ENRI-future (2011-2015). Martin Kowarsch , member of the institute, is intensively involved in scientific exchange on energy and climate economics scenarios, focussing on epistemological and ethical aspects and the issue of scientific consultancy in the area of climate politics.
2. By order and account of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the institute takes part (2010-2013) in the ethical-interdisciplinary research project “Sustainable Water Management in a Globalized World”, together with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Humboldt University. Additionally to the assessment of the scarcity of fresh (blue, green and virtual) water, an economically-ethically integrated evaluation or regional options of regional options for the water manegement should be achieved. For a brief description in English see From February to May 2012, a case study on water manegement in Sudan will be achieved.
3. The institute is also preparing a study of the new challenges to food security, where issues like food speculation, climate change, scarcity of cultivable land, changes of nutrition patterns are analysed and ethically reflected, and then suggestions for action formulated. This study is done in the name of the group of experts “World Economy and Social Ethics” of the German Bishops’ Conference and will be publicly presented in February 2012.
4. On 25 November 2011, the “Sixth Round Table Bavaria. Social and Environment Standards” takes place i.a. with arch bishop Ludwig Schick (Bamberg) and in cooperation with the “One World Network Bavaria e.V.”
Also in our two other thematic areas “Political philosophy in a global context” and “Religions, cultures and socio-cultural analysis” a considerable amount of activities is actually being done or in preparation, e.g. a Polish and a German volume on the first Polish-German scientific conference of sociologists of religions of both countries and a new project on multi-cultural paradigms of development.
Here is a list of initiatives to which I take part (apart from my participation to CERAS):
1) I give lectures in various places :
1-a) Mathematical economics at the Sorbonne in Master 2 (Paris-1 university)
1-b) The economic crisis for non-specialists at the Centre Sèvres (jesuit Center, Paris).
1-c) Micro-economics in a warming planet in the 3rd year of ESCP-Europe (Business school in Paris).
2) lead a Parliamentarian club (together with Sister Cécile Renouard, ra) “Oikonomia” : we gather French members of Parliament and senators from every party and give them lectures in economics and finance during the lunch (but not recto tono!).
3) am the supervisor of 5 Ph.D students (a first one defended his thesis a couple of months ago) in mathematical economics and finance.
4) take part to a research program at Essec (another business school) lead by Cécile Renouard on the corporate social responsibility of multinationals in Southern countries : Total in the Niger Delta (Nigeria) ; Danone (water distribution) in Indonesia ; Veolia (water distribution) in India (Nagpur). We run surveys on the field in order to assess the social impact of the activity of these companies and of the development projects they (try to) put into practice. For this purpose, we have developed various indices: a poverty exit index and a relational capability index.
5) I also organize a research seminar at the Centre Sèvres (still together with Cécile Renouard) on anthropology and social justice.
6) My research field in theoretical economics deals with general equilibrium theory and game theory (probably the most “orthodox” core of economic theory), trying to show that, even within this framework, one can prove that market capitalism does not work and need to be changed. For instance, I’m currently finishing a theoretical paper proving that, in the current context of deregulated markets, we have actually 3, and only 3, global scenarii : a) either a reduction of the inefficient distribution of resources with low unemployment but high inflation ; b) or deflation (with high unemployment) ; else c) financial bubbles that, sooner or later, lead to a big collapse. Since euroliberalism has succeeded in convincing so many people that inflation is akin to the “original sin”, our economies are now hesitating between deflation and collapse (unless we completely change our economic rules).
7) belong to the committee of “founders’” of Finance watch, a European organization, connected with the European Parliament, and devoted to observing and analyzing the attempts (not) to regulate financial industry in Europe.
8) publish papers in academic journals, in “our” journals (Etudes, Projet, Recherches de sciences religieuses, Fomento social…), in newspapers. Conferences in academic circles, for NGOs, perishes, think tanks, the French bishops’conference… Participation to some “brainstorming” of the COMECE.
Gaël sj
For the academic year 2011-2012 the Institute of Political Education “Pedro Arrupe” (Palermo, Italy) will organize two high education post graduates courses:
1. “Fund raising and Europroject Management” which enables participants to use the funding opportunities offered by the European Commission and to manage European projects.
In particular, participants will acquire the following skills:
• Correct comprehension of calls for proposal for funding
• Knowledge of the funding opportunities granted by the European Union
• Bringing together all necessary documents for the application’s submission
• Building an appropriate transnational partnership
• Planning of budgeting of the application
• Studying of the procedures necessary for the presentation of the application.
2. “Enhancement of immigrants Human Resources and vulnerable groups” whose objective is to specialize professionals with appropriate skills for efficient and effective management of issues concerning the migration phenomenon in a ethical dimension with particular emphasis on protecting migrants and specific target groups (women victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, refugees and asylum seekers).
JESUIT CENTRE FOR FAITH AND JUSTICE MALTA
Recent Publications
- Opening up: A Path Beyond Fear. The aim of this book is to help place the fears that Maltese have for foreigners today.
- L-Edukazzjoni F’Malta f’salib it-toroq: This publication is a response to the document which the government had published on the reforms in education. This booklet has now been distributed to all the government schools. A seminar discussing this paper was held on the 9th of February 2011 in collaboration with St Aloysius College and Paulo Freire Institute.
You will always have the poor among you: This publication aims at raising an awareness of the different types of poverty which exist but which are not being acknowledged or addressed
Voices of Hope: Africa and its Future: This publication includes a translation in Maltese and a CD. It includes a public lecture which was given by Ms. Marguerite Barankitse in Malta in May 2010 at the invitation of the Centre. We hope that Maggy’s powerful message would help all of us to see our brother and sister in each person we meet.
FRANET: The Centre has been awarded the tender ‘Provision of data collection and research services in fundamental rights issues’. A contract for a year and renewable for three years has been signed and a team of around twelve experts will write reports on different aspects of Fundamental Rights in Malta for the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU. These reports will be integrated in the FRA’s EU wide reports.
Catholic Social Teachings Course
The Centre, with the collaboration of the Pastoral Formation Institute is offering a two year Catholic Social Teachings Course. The course is aimed at persons who have an important influence in Society.
The setting up of CFJ Youths.
A reflection group called CFJ youths has been set up. Some of these youths had gone for a conference on the role of Christians in Politics organised by European Jesuits in Venice These youths brought over some of their friends. The reflection group has met once a month this year to reflect together on some topical social issue in the light of the Catholic Social teaching.
I do my work through the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Dublin. Two main foci for this coming year: a) theological reflection on the economic situation in Ireland and our world – giving a paper at a seminar organized by the Irish School of Ecumenics in October on this topic. b) Church renewal – am involved with the Episcopal Conference on Justice and Peace, with a lay group called Omega, with the Association of Catholic Priests (in Ireland) and on a Jesuit Provincial Advisory Board, as well as some other groups/individuals, all of whom are exercised by this issue. Will giving a series of lectures with theologians Jim Corkery SJ and Sue Mulligan in our Dublin Manresa Retreat House after Christmas.
Our Centre will host the Scribani Conference on prison reform next September in Dublin.
In the ear future we will be preoccupied with the structural changes connoted with becoming the office of social coordination of the CEP in relation to social ministries and social centres – while trying to preserve the most important of our present work.
In my own case I am occupied with two main examples of how Catholic Social Teaching bears on current affairs: the financial crisis and the functioning of the economy; and the relation between magisterial authority and professional competence in the case of Catholic development agencies
In the near future we at the Jesuit European Office will be preoccupied with the structural changes connoted with our becoming the office of social coordination of the CEP in relation to social ministries and social centres – while continuing to develop the most important of our present work: some quite difficult tasks of prioritising.
In my personal work I am occupied with two main examples of how Catholic Social Teaching bears on current affairs: the financial crisis and the functioning of the economy; and the relation between magisterial authority and professional competence in the case of Catholic development agencies: I am doing this through pubic speaking and consultancy.
Institute for Social and Development Studies at the Munich School of Philosophy
Our actually most dynamic field of activities is the thematic area called “World economy, justice and sustainable of resources”. Just to name some “project lines”:
1. The interdisciplinary project “Climate change and justice. Climate policy as a component of fair globalisation and sustainable poverty reduction” has been finished. An extented English publication of the final report by Springer publishing house will soon be published. Additionally, the institute is part of the international climate ethics network ENRI-future (2011-2015). Martin Kowarsch , member of the institute, is intensively involved in scientific exchange on energy and climate economics scenarios, focussing on epistemological and ethical aspects and the issue of scientific consultancy in the area of climate politics.
2. By order and account of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the institute takes part (2010-2013) in the ethical-interdisciplinary research project “Sustainable Water Management in a Globalized World”, together with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Humboldt University. Additionally to the assessment of the scarcity of fresh (blue, green and virtual) water, an economically-ethically integrated evaluation or regional options of regional options for the water manegement should be achieved. For a brief description in English see From February to May 2012, a case study on water manegement in Sudan will be achieved.
3. The institute is also preparing a study of the new challenges to food security, where issues like food speculation, climate change, scarcity of cultivable land, changes of nutrition patterns are analysed and ethically reflected, and then suggestions for action formulated. This study is done in the name of the group of experts “World Economy and Social Ethics” of the German Bishops’ Conference and will be publicly presented in February 2012.
4. On 25 November 2011, the “Sixth Round Table Bavaria. Social and Environment Standards” takes place i.a. with arch bishop Ludwig Schick (Bamberg) and in cooperation with the “One World Network Bavaria e.V.”
Also in our two other thematic areas “Political philosophy in a global context” and “Religions, cultures and socio-cultural analysis” a considerable amount of activities is actually being done or in preparation, e.g. a Polish and a German volume on the first Polish-German scientific conference of sociologists of religions of both countries and a new project on multi-cultural paradigms of development.