 With the fall of Allende, Assman went to Costa Rica, where along with Franz Hinkelammert, developed his theological reflections on the relationship between theology and economics in the Department of Ecumenical Investigaciones (DEI), founded by both.This center would be one of the leading producers and trainers of liberation theology.Assmann also helped found the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians and the Brazilian Society of Theology and Religious Studies.