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Acton University 2024 is an immersion into the ideas of freedom, faith and market economy. Discover the key lessons of this exceptional edition and why the Acton Institute is an essential reference for thinking about a free and virtuous society.
What is Acton Institute ?
The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty is a think tank founded in 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Father Robert A. Sirico and Kris Alan Mauren. Its goal is to explore and promote the relationship between individual liberty, moral responsibility, and the market economy.
The Institute is named after Lord John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1834-1902), a British historian of liberty, famous for his maxim: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton believed that political freedom was an essential condition for religious freedom and that the moral and economic order should be conceived in tandem.
The Acton Institute is founded on the idea that economic freedom is inseparable from a virtuous society, because a free market cannot function without a strong moral framework. It is therefore aimed at a wide audience including religious leaders, academics, entrepreneurs and policy makers.
Acton University : An international meeting of excellence
Acton University is so much more than just a conference. It is a four-day intellectual immersion exploring the intersection of theology, philosophy, market economics and entrepreneurship.
The 2024 edition, held from June 24 to 27 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, brought together more than 990 participants from 79 countries, offering a unique experience of learning and dialogue between actors committed to a free and virtuous society. The event was held at the DeVos Place Convention Center, providing an ideal setting for conferences, roundtables and informal meetings.
A High-Quality Academic Program
One of Acton University’s strengths is the depth and breadth of its curriculum, comprised of over 80 courses taught by 60 professors from prestigious universities.
Each participant designs their own program around the four core courses, which form the intellectual foundation of the Acton experience:
Christian Anthropology: An exploration of human nature and the dignity of the person.
Natural Law: Fundamentals of natural law and the moral framework.
Basic Economics: An introduction to the fundamentals of market economics.
Good Governance: The role and limits of the state in a free society.
In addition, participants choose from a diverse selection of courses covering topics such as the ethics of capitalism, the social doctrine of the Church, comparative economic systems, and political philosophy.
A unique experience of meetings and exchanges
Acton University is also a great opportunity for networking. Breaks, meals and discussion sessions allow you to meet academics, business leaders, intellectuals and activists committed to promoting the ideals of freedom and moral responsibility.
I had the chance to exchange with influential thinkers, debate different economic and political models, and deepen my understanding of the current challenges of conservatism and liberalism in France and internationally.
Why should you be interested in the work of the Acton Institute?
The Acton Institute is not just an annual conference. It is also an influential research center that publishes books, organizes seminars, and offers many online resources: https://www.acton.org/
For anyone interested in the articulation between economic freedom, moral values, and Christian teaching, the Institute offers a wealth of analysis and comparative studies.
I strongly encourage all those who share these interests to follow the publications of the Acton Institute and to apply for future editions of Acton University. This experience was much more than a simple training: it was an intellectual, spiritual, and human encounter that allowed me to deepen my convictions and strengthen my commitment to a free and virtuous society.
A strengthened commitment
Returning from Acton University 2024 is an enriching and transformative experience. The ideas and encounters of this edition will continue to nourish my thinking and my commitment. If you have an interest in these questions, I can only encourage you to immerse yourself in the work of the Acton Institute and to join this exceptional intellectual adventure.