The World Communion of Reformed Churches, together with the World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, Council for World Mission and United Society Partners in the Gospel, has opened applications for the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics, and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM School). The program is scheduled for Aug. 17–28, 2026, in Panama City, Panama (location to be confirmed).
The program will bring together 20–25 current and emerging church leaders for intensive training to strengthen the collective voice of churches on global economic issues.
Program Overview
Participants will study topics ranging from eco-feminist economics to international finance, debt, and tax justice, using Bible studies, lectures, and group work. They will develop projects for an Economy of Life—an economic model that prioritizes people and the planet over financial gain. The curriculum includes a consultation on building an Economy of Peace and a full-day immersion in Panama’s local context.
GEM School responds to the Sao Paulo Statement and the action plan Economy of Life for All Now, which emphasized the need to build economic skills within churches.
Program Objectives
Over 10 days, participants will explore intersections of theology, ethics, and economics through a curriculum designed to:
- Identify theological foundations for economic justice
- Provide a basic understanding of mainstream economic thinking
- Contextualize economic methodologies and normative assumptions
- Introduce ecological, feminist, and other alternative economic approaches
- Develop interdisciplinary approaches connecting theology and economics
- Equip churches with political and strategic tools for advocacy toward an Economy of Life
Nomination Criteria & Scholarship Information
For detailed nomination criteria and scholarship information, read here.
All selected participants will receive a full scholarship, covering flights, accommodation, and full board. A USD 100 contribution is requested from each participant.
The deadline for applications is March 1, 2026. Selected participants will be notified by March 31, 2026.
