Liberty Markets Series

These three-day, intellectually rigorous colloquia offer a deeper look into the core issues at the intersection of truth, liberty, and economics through guided, text-based Socratic discussion. This program seeks to further engage Acton’s graduate-level alumni. Typically utilizing a format of six guided roundtable discussion sessions, each colloquium provides an environment of intense dialogue and exploration. To ensure active engagement with both the ideas and faculty, participation is capped at 15 attendees per colloquium. The program is intellectually demanding; participants are required to do advanced reading of selected primary texts (approximately 250 pages) and should be prepared to offer comments and defend their views while referencing the texts throughout the weekend.

The application for each colloquium will be available at least three months prior to the event and will remain open until the program has been filled. Colloquia can fill up very quickly.

There is no registration fee for these colloquia. Each accepted participant will receive a conference package to include required reading materials, lodging, food, and a travel stipend. Travel assistance is limited and may not cover all travel costs; accepted participants may need to contribute to their travel.

Intended Audience

Graduate Student Colloquium:These colloquia are intended for Acton alumni—people who have fully participated in at least one Acton University (AU), Toward a Free and Virtuous Society (FAVS), and/or City FAVS conference—who are currently enrolled in or have recently completed graduate-level studies.
Professional Colloquium:These graduate-level colloquia are intended for seminarians, clergy, professionals in religious/nonprofit contexts (para-church workers, social workers, etc.).

Testimonials

“Because of attending an Acton Institute Liberty Market Series event, I was inspired to pioneer an inaugural bioethics symposium under the auspices of Canadian Physicians for Life. I devised the event description and application process, selected all of the texts for our 130-page reader on “Conscience in the Culture and the Professions,” and served as the discussion leader for seven 75-minute Socratic discussions between 15 medical students, residents, and early-career professionals from across Canada. All of this was expressly possible because of my experience as a participant at Acton/Liberty Fund colloquia. I am tremendously grateful to Acton for enabling me to bring this standard of excellence to my home country for the good of Canadians … I am a more dynamic student and a more ambitious contributor in the public square because of the convivial and robust discussions on topics of liberty, markets, and morality. The intensity of these events is irresistible. Thank you so [much] for your work in making these incredible events a reality!”

Amanda Achtman

“I was very surprised by the format of the Liberty Market Series, as it provided a good and beautiful space with time for thoughtful and engaging conversation in an unrushed and appreciative environment. The limited number of participants provided interaction that went deeper relationally and intellectually, and has produced post-series interactions that are ongoing and enriching in nature. The guided reading has introduced me to authors that I had not previously read but whose contributions I deeply appreciate. The environment, the discussion guides, the advanced reading, and curating participants in the room have all been a fantastic gift … I appreciate Acton’s work to curate a broad swath of leaders/learners [of different] ages, geography, educational experiences, vocational work. This adds to the robustness of the conversations.”

Jason Aaron Leininger, D.Min.

“Very satisfied overall with the series … the Liberty & Markets Series have provided me with educational supplements that I am not currently receiving in my master’s degree. It has impacted me by creating more hunger to know and apply the truths and lessons gleaned from the readings and series. I anticipate it will lead to more research on my end in an attempt to glean from lessons learned in the past and then figure out how to apply them to our present situation. Acton shares some overlapping interests with Claremont Review of Books and Hillsdale types, and this may be a way to attract some of those students and professionals.”

William Nicholson

Stats

426

Number of Participants since 2008

Number of Countries represented

75 (18%)

Number of International Participants

Number of Conferences Held

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