Care is work, work is care – An explanatory note (14 September 2023, Global)

This note presents a practical explanation of the expression “care is work, work is care”, which emerged as one of the main conclusions of the Phase 1 of the FOWLS Project.

Care is work, work is care – An explanatory note

The purpose of this note is to propose a simple and practical explanation of the expression “care is work, work is care”, which emerged from the “The Future of Work – Labour after Laudato si’” Project. The latter initiative was a multi-pronged effort that included research, consultations and dialogues among various Catholic-inspired and other Faith Based organisations, from Employers’ and Workers’ organisations as well as Academia. The methodology utilized for the initiative was that of “common social discernment”. These efforts were motivated by the profound changes taking place in our communities as we try to respond to environmental challenges (climatic and even more general issues), injustice and inequality, violence, demographic and migratory changes, and increased use of, and access to, new digital technologies. The inspiration and foundation for the initiative was rooted in an close reading of the Encyclical Laudato si’, the central axis of which Pope Francis’ call for care, (“soin” in French language and “cuidado” in Spanish language) of which our common home must be the object.