A creative thought ” “

“Reinventing work” is an imperative of many countries in Europe, overcome by a turbulence that goes beyond the crisis. It is a challenge to which, after initial disorientation, the first answers start to be given.Civil society, research and innovation centres, socially sensitive environments of business and of the economy in particular, have taken concrete action. Politics is present with appropriate emergency measures, but in terms of a comprehensive strategy it is still is ailing, committed as it is to remedy the overspill of economics and finance.”Reinventing work”, the theme of the 88th Social Week of France recently concluded, is thus the great adventure that opens up to Europe. But solid foundations must be given to a new culture of work to avoid illusions and delusions. And here the Christians have something to say, to propose, and to bear witness to in concrete terms.The stakes are high, as Pope Francis has reiterated on several occasions: the dignity of the human person is jeopardized by the lack of employment and multifarious difficulties faced by businesses in dire conditions.This gloomy picture leaves no room for wishful thinking. Indeed, it is a time in which Christians are called to give a reason of the hope they cherish and tell the world how hope can become concrete action.An active workshop of thoughts and projects was inaugurated with the Social Weeks of France, the Festival of social doctrine in Italy, with the initiatives of the Church of Moldova for small enterprises, and with the preparation by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) of the “European Social Days”, scheduled to take place in Spain next year. These initiatives signal the resurgence of the social question in the consciences of the Christian community faced with globalisation and the technological developments that brought about radical changes within the working environment.”Are all of these transformations negative ones?” was the question raised by the President of the Social Weeks in France Jérôme Vignon. “Could they instead be seen and experienced as an opportunity for the renewal of the culture of labour? Could the Christian realm introduce in the basket of possible solutions those found within the social thinking of the Church?” he added.On the same wavelength a few days ago Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) declared: “Neither statesmen, politicians nor civil servants really know how to move out of the crisis. There is little creative thinking which takes account of the ethical principles which need to be at the basis of a free, open, democratic, prosperous society which is open and just. We must reflect on whether this is an area for a contribution from the Church”.There are already some answers, such as social economy based on solidarity, a renewed relationship between vocational training, education and business environments, a different way of addressing the career paths of the young, new forms of cooperation and solidarity at local level, changes in lifestyle…Perhaps the answers are too small and partial compared to the excessive power of the market and finance, however, Vignon said, “they can trigger a virtuous cycle of change”, boosting the participation of the protagonists of the labour market, of entrepreneurship, social forces and young people alike.This should be done together, with the purpose of achieving creative thought and re-inventing work, whose major thrust and guidelines for the implementation of solidarity and hope lie in the social doctrine of the Church. Whilst proclaiming the Gospel we are also called to undertake this difficult paths across Europe.