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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
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Stats

426

Number of Participants since 2008

33

Number of Countries represented

75 (18%)

Number of International Participants

51

Number of Conferences Held

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Liberty Markets Series

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P2P Campaign FAQ

Start a Peer-to-Peer Campaign to Support the Acton Institute

You are probably considering a peer-to-peer campaign to support the Acton Institute because you have seen the impact of our programs, whether directly or indirectly. We believe that your personal connection to the cause is your best fundraising tool. Take some time to think about your reasons for supporting the Acton Institute and use your personal story (or stories from attending an Acton event, volunteering for Acton, donating to Acton, advocating for Acton, etc.) for fundraising through emails, social media, phone calls, and conversations.

Kick Off Your Peer-to-Peer with These Helpful Tips! 

  • Set an attainable fundraising goal (e.g., $100­–$1,000 or higher!). A fundraising goal encourages your friends, family, and acquaintances to give the most they feel comfortable giving.
  • Personalize your peer-to-peer page. Let the world know why you are fundraising for the Acton Institute and why the cause is so important to you. Potential donors are much more likely to help you reach your goal if they understand the powerful reasons behind your decision to support the Acton Institute and our programs.
  • Explore your network. We recommend making sure you ask everyone you know for support, not just close friends and family. Think about all the people you interact with on a regular basis who might be willing to support your fundraising—neighbors, co-workers, doctors/dentists, classmates, teammates, and people in organizations or groups you belong to like a church, mosque, or synagogue.
  • Time your peer-to-peer campaign. Start your campaign early (or at your earliest convenience) and often for the support of your entire network. With everyone’s unpredictable schedules, it is easy to forget to make a donation. By giving potential donors a deadline, you make it easier for your network to remember to give to such an amazing cause.
  • Post on social media. Research shows that people who fundraise online raise 3x more than people who don’t. Post a status or email your friends! Insert the link to your personal fundraising page to the signature line of your emails.

Your peer-to-peer campaign will help the Acton Institute reach more people and continue to provide life-changing programs throughout the country and around the world.

For more information, please reach out to the Development Team at the Acton Institute.