The Atlas Economic Research Foundation hosted its global network of free market think tank leaders, policy experts, and allies for its 7th Atlas Liberty Forum on April 24-26, 2007 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The Liberty Forum had over 270 participants from 52 countries and 26 U.S. states, representing over 120 public policy organizations.
Atlas kicked-off the Liberty Forum with special meetings on April 24th & 25th. On April 24th, members of the Atlas Club, supporters who give Atlas $1,000 or more each year, heard from Boris Begovic of the Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies (Serbia) and Franklin Cudjoe of Imani: The Centre for Humane Education (Ghana).
Following the Atlas Club Briefing, Atlas hosted a special reception in honor of the 2007 Templeton Freedom Awards winners. All 16 winning institutes took part in the celebration of their accomplishments as well as many winners from the past fours years of the Templeton Freedom Awards program. Stephen Klimczuk, Vice President of Strategy and Evaluation at the John Templeton Foundation, and Ricardo Lopez Murphy, Argentine presidential candidate, gave brief remarks. On the morning of April 25th, Atlas’s Coalition Relations team organized a special breakfast meeting for new intellectual entrepreneurs where they could learn about strategic planning, running a think tank on a limited budget, and corporate fundraising. These presentations were designed to help individuals as they grow their fledgling institutes.
The Liberty Forum officially began with the luncheon on April 25th. Jaroslav Romanchuk, founder and president of the Scientific Research Mises Center (Belarus), spoke at the opening luncheon of the Liberty Forum. Romanchuk is devoted to creating a “nationwide network of freedom lovers and freedom fighters” in one of the most autocratic countries in Europe. He shared his thoughts on the true meaning of freedom, why it is worth fighting for, and how he is embracing that challenge. [ VIEW a PDF of his PRESENTATION ]
The afternoon included sessions on think tank management and current policy challenges and solutions.
Concurrent Session 1A: Think Tank Essentials
Concurrent Session 1B: Environmental Policy, Natural Resources, & Property Rights
Concurrent Session 2A: Fundraising Essentials in the International Context
Concurrent Session 2B: Education Reform & Initiatives
John Allison, Chairman & CEO of BB&T Corporation, was the forum’s keynote speaker at the Sir Antony Fisher Memorial Awards Dinner. Earlier this year, Allison announced that his company would refuse loans to developers that made use of eminent domain, the practice in which the government can seize private property. Allison, a leading champion of private property rights, said, “The idea that a citizen’s property can be taken by the government solely for private use is extremely misguided — in fact, it’s just plain wrong.” In his speech, Allison discussed how Ayn Rand’s ideas of “rational self-interest” animate his approach to business and life in general. He also spoke of his involvement in establishing programs that educate young people about the morality of free enterprise. [ LISTEN TO HIS SPEECH ]
During the dinner, Atlas President Alex Chafuen, Atlas Chairman Bill Sumner, and Atlas Trustee Linda Whetstone paid tribute to Dorian Fisher Adams. Dorian D. Adams, a hidden hero of the freedom movement, passed away in early April. While she maybe remembered as the wife of Atlas’s late founder, Sir Antony Fisher, the contributions she made enabled Atlas to become a reality.
Atlas Director of Coalition Relations Colleen Dyble announced the winners of the 18th Annual Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Awards : The TaxPayers’ Alliance, Institute of Economic Affairs, and the Polish Society of Economists.
On the morning of April 26th, Atlas and the State Policy Network co-hosted a special Leadership Development Breakfast on Media & Communications Strategies.
ATLAS-SPN Leadership Development Breakfast: Media & Communications Strategies
The Liberty Forum concluded with two final panel sessions:
Concurrent Session 4A: Advancing Freedom in the Academy
Concurrent Session 4B: Voices of Freedom in the Muslim World
Please join Atlas next April for the 8th Annual Liberty Forum in Atlanta, Georgia.
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