‘Jubilee Now’ webinar: ancient wisdom for the new economy

Green Christian and Caritas Diocese of Nottingham are teaming up to offer a landmark event to mark the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si and the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.  ‘Jubilee Now: A festival of economic justice’ takes place on Wednesday 18 June 2025, ten years to the day after the late Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment was published.  The evening brings together seven organisations which are leading the struggle for a just and sustainable economic system, free of debt and slavery.  

The biblical Jubilee was first announced to Moses.  For Christians it is renewed in the ministry of Jesus, and the world’s Catholics celebrate it every 25 years.  Sixteen centuries after its first proclamation its principles of liberation, forgiveness and renewal still inspire people of faith to work together for a better world - not least Green Christian’s Joy in Enough project promoting just and sustainable economics.  

The keynote speaker at Jubilee Now will be Prof Luigino Bruni, economist, historian and Scripture scholar.  He is vice-president of the ‘Economy of Francesco’ project, a global community of young researchers, entrepreneurs and changemakers inspired by Laudato Si.  He will be joined by Henrique Sengès, the foundation’s Coordinator for Education and Culture.

After them six further speakers will share their perspectives on the call of Jubilee today.  They will represent Surrey University’s Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity; the Santa Marta Group which works to eradicate modern slavery; CAFOD’s campaign for the cancellation of unjust debt; Christians Against Poverty, which partners with local churches to provide professional debt help; Journey to 2030, which supports Catholic parishes to become hubs of transformational change; and Green Christian’s food project.

Paul Bodenham, Programme Manager for Social Action at the Diocese of Nottingham, said ‘The 2025 Jubilee challenges us to become people of Jubilee for our moment in history, and to rethink the economic systems that are harming people and planet.  This event will be a fitting tribute to Pope Francis, who will always be remembered for his teaching that love for the Earth and its most vulnerable inhabitants are intertwined at the heart of our faith’.

Further details, a complete programme and a link to register for Jubilee Now can be found here.