Finance and integral ecology. Reflections one year after the CEI Guidelines

Sustainable and responsible finance, or SRI finance, is now a global phenomenon. Investors, both private and institutional, are increasingly careful to integrate ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) factors into their investment choices. At the same time, a growing number of companies are setting their business strategies in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals set out in the UN 2030 Agenda.

This process of change does not only involve tools and methodologies, but is also linked to values and aspects of a social, environmental, political, economic, cultural and, finally, human nature. In the Encyclical Laudato si', Pope Francis summarizes the balance between these dimensions with the concept of "integral ecology". In line with his thinking, the Catholic Church has initiated a process of cultural awareness of these issues and is equipping itself so that its organizations manage their finances in a transparent and accountable manner.

To this end, in 2020 the Italian Bishops' Conference prepared guidelines that can be a reference both for the economic managers of its various religious organizations and orders (dioceses, parishes, foundations of religion and charity, congregations, associations and other religious bodies) and for the financial intermediaries who manage their assets.

One year after the publication of the CEI Guidelines, ALTIS Università Cattolica and Nummus.Info invite ten of the main operators to discuss the state of the art and to identify the next steps, in the short and medium term.

 The event anticipates the themes of a new Executive Course, offered by ALTIS, Nummus.Info, IMPact SIM SpA and 8a+ Sgr, entitled Finance and integral ecology. The sustainable management of ecclesiastical and religious heritage, starting in September 2021. 

PROGRAM

4.30 pm - 4.35  pm |  Introductory greetings

Alessia Coeli, Head of the Training Area, ALTIS Università Cattolica

4.35 pm - 4.45  pm |  The objectives of the guidelines for Catholic investments

Livio Gualerzi, Head of Financial Resources and Special Projects of the Italian Bishops' Conference

4.45 pm - 5.10  pm |  Round table: The effects of the guidelines on the portfolios of ecclesiastical entities: complexity or opportunity

Moderator:

Andrea di Turi, journalist and expert in sustainable finance

Participants:

• Nicolao De Nobili, Managing Director, JPMorgan
• Massimiliano Cagliero, Chief Executive Officer, Banor
• Corrado Gaudenzi, Head of Long-Term Sustainable Strategies, Eurizon Capital
• Donato Giannico, Country Head Italy, Raiffeisen
• Stefano Mach, Co-founder and CEO, Impact SIM

5.10 pm - 5.35  pm |  Round table: Pandemic, integral ecology and CEI guidelines: a virtuous    resilience        

Moderator:

Alessandra Viscovi, Scientific Coordinator and lecturer of the Master in Sustainable Finance at ALTIS

Participants:

• Michele Bovenzi, Director, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management Italy, Deutsche Bank
• Mario Baronci, Senior Portfolio Manager Head of Multi Asset, Quaestio
• Pasquale Ingino, Cross Asset Investment Solutions Sales, Head of Italy & Ticino, Exane
• Alessandro Masatti, Director of Finance and Technical Area Savings and Investment, Assimoco
• Francesco Piraino, Head of Business Development Retail, Nordea

5.35 pm - 5.40  pm |   Report one year after the CEI guidelines

Erica Cis, Senior Consultant, Nummus.Info

5.40 pm - 5.45  pm |  Conclusions