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GEM School shows 21 leaders that another economy is possible

August 27, 2026 · 1 min read

valter

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:36

Churches have been telling stories that address inequality not only on big stages and at global negotiation tables. Investing in formation and a joint ecumenical approach has been one tactic to strengthen local communities and connect them to the spaces where their voices can influence policy decisions. In Panama City, from 17-25 August, that tactic took the shape of nine days, 21 church leaders, and a keynote that opened with a question.

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Discussion among participants of the GEM school 2026

Photo: Robyn Sekula/Presbyterian Foundation

"How can 12 people possess more wealth than 4.1 billion people, and how does such an obscenity become normality?"

Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, asked it on 18 August, opening a keynote titled "Inequality: Bridging Economics and Theology" that he shared with Jocabed Solano. It set the terms for GEM School, formally the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics, and Management for an Economy of Life, an economy built on justice,…

Source: World Council of Churches · Read the full story →

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Emma Parker

That opening question from Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock really stuck with me. Twelve people holding more than 4.1 billion is hard to wrap your head around, and it makes you wonder what small thing our own parish could do differently with its budget or investments. Good to see churches digging into this together instead of just talking about it.