Event Report- International Thursdays 2007

December 13th, 2007

Featured Speakers

  • Bican Sahin, vice president of the Association for Liberal Thinking (Turkey)
    • Sahin spoke on the state of liberal democracy in Turkey. Turkey is both a secular and a nationalistic country. One clear example of this secularism is that the mosque is controlled by the state because it is believed that freedom of conscience and liberty would lead to Islamic rule, and this is too dangerous.
    • Although the spread of freedom and liberty does not seem very promising, Sahin outlined some positive developments in Turkish society.  First, the attitude of the population supports democratic ideals. Second, the EU candidacy will force institutionalization of liberal democracy by way of the Copenhagen Criteria.  The third notable development is the emerging civil society with groups such as the Association for Liberal Thinking who actively seek to promote hope and freedom.
  • Bijan Sepasy, Iran Analytical Report (Washington DC)
    • Iran today faces numerous problems, both internal and external. The failures at almost every level of government have led many outside observers to believe that the Iranian regime is weak and the country is susceptible to foreign intervention. One should not, however, mistake these challenges as weaknesses that can be exploited.
    • Despite its problems, the regime is far from internal collapse. As of now, there is no viable internal opposition in the country. The fractures among Iran’s often polarized leaders should not be interpreted as signs of serious internal division, especially when the regime is threatened.
    • Despite vocal disagreements at times, almost all Iranian politicians share a common agenda: defend the Islamic revolution and the integrity of the Republic. The few who do challenge the principles of the revolution are sidelined or eliminated.
  • Norman Bailey, Chairman of Global Resources & Solutions, LLC and president of Institute for Global Economic Growth (Washington, D.C.)
    • Bailey posed the question, “Is there a Consensus in the Americas?” The answer is, until recently, been no. But current developments have made it clear that a consensu is coming together.  These developments include: the failure of  Hugo Chavez’s Constitutional Referendum in Venezuela;  Bolivia’s turmoil as the people oppose Evo Morales’ administration; Daniel Ortega’s direct conflict with congress in Nicaragua; and Ecuador’s president and his presidential Constituent Assembly are in conflict. Largely the people of Latin America are discontented by the complete lack of justice prevalent in their countries.
  • Rafael Bardaji, director of Strategic Studies Group (Madrid, Spain) and senior advisor to Former President José Maria Aznar.
    • Bardaji presented the European perspective on the recent study released by the National Intelligence Estimate regarding the lack of nuclear activity taking place in Iran. There is some skepticism regarding the legitimacy of this document. This appears to be more of a policy advocacy document as opposed to a solidly research document. This document does not address the topic of Uranium enrichment or plutonium activity.
    • According to Bardaji, the administration has three options.  First, they can fire the entire agency.  Second, they can choose to ignore the report. Third, they can ask the CIA to share the information with International allies, so that they can personally judge its credibility.

Norman Bailey suggested that for further information on this issue, you read Henry Kissinger’s article in the Dec. 13, 2007 Washington Post, Misreading the Iran Report, and the book, Shadow Warriors by Kenneth Timmerman of the New York Times.

Announcements

Atlas:

    • SAVE THE DATE- Atlas Liberty Forum-April 25-27, 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Online registration will be available in January§  President Flores’ Speech at the Atlas Freedom Dinner- Available Online! www.atlasusa.org

Other:

    • Patrick Mendis- The Osgood Center for International Studies, author of the book Glocalization.
    • Matt Robbins- the Leadership Institute, Management Time Seminar at Leadership Institute December 17th-18th please contact mrobbins@LIMail.us for more information

October 18th, 2007

Featured Speakers:

  • Miguel Moreno, Leadership Institute (Arlington, VA, United States)
    • Miguel Moreno is the director of International Programs at the Leadership Institute. Leadership Institute and the International Program focus on training conservative leaders in the areas of fundraising, public relations, political technology and political activism.
    • The Leadership Institute has trained 58,0000 students since its founding in 1975. The International program, since its founding last year, has trained over 1,500 students from 49 countries.
    • In addition to holding training sessions in their offices, the Leadership Institute also travels to local think tanks world-wide to provide hands-on training. Their next two major programs are: January 20-27th, 2008 in Arlington, VA, which will feature 5 separate specialty programs; and March 25-29th, 2008 (on the subject of fundraising) in the United Kingdom.
  • Katrin Michael, Iraqi Institute for Strategic Studies (Iraq)
    • Katrin currently focuses her work on the rights of women in Iraq. Under the current Iraqi Constitution the rights of women fall under religious (Sharia, Islamia) Family Law. In Article 102 it is stated that the guardian of a woman must be her father or a relative of her father. Article 1.1 of the Constitution allows husbands to discipline their wives (i.e. Beating)
    • The current constitution is in the process of amendment, but women face an uphill battle as even men within the drafting committee and the current government believe that the right of a woman to speak out, or to hold leadership positions is taboo “ ‘awra”.
    • Katrin is hoping to have these issues be considered as the Iraqi Constitution is amended: 1. Women’s rights must be respected above tradition and custom. 2. Women need support under Human Rights Laws, 3. International Human Right’s support is needed to amend the constitution, 4. An International meeting should be held in Kurdistan to discuss women’s rights issues.
    • The Iraqi Institute for Strategic Studies is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon but they also have branch offices in the United States, and in Iraq. They translate books regarding Democracy and hold training seminars with young people, were they are taught researching skills in an effort to expose them to Academic Research.
  • Juan Fernando Carpio, Instituto para Libertad (Quito, Ecuador)
    • Juan works for both the Movimiento Libertario and the think tank Instituto para la Libertad in Ecuador. The think tank focuses on winning the battle of ideas in Ecuador. The political movement is able to garner a good amount of popularity and funding, as it will benefit business to have fewer regulations and taxes. Juan expressed the fact that while the libertarian movement is more popular he makes it clear that a portion of the proceeds from that movement must go towards the ideas, that form the foundation of a free society. He expressed the fact that without ideas the movement could not exist.
    • Juan also discussed the current political situation in Ecuador where within the administration there is tension between the Old Left, who are in favor of industrialization, and the New Left who are more interested in molding society to its will.
    • Instituto para la Libertad is focused upon improving the lives of the people of Ecuador, especially the poor who would benefit so much from a freer market.
  • Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House (Washington, DC, United States)
    • Ms. Windsor is the Executive Director for Freedom House.
    • Freedom House  was foundation in 1941 and was established during the war in an effort to combat the negative feelings of isolationism within many Americans at that time. It is made up of “a diverse coalition of Americans” whose goal is to stress the importance of individual freedom.
    • Their model for bring about enhanced freedom in the world is to create measures of Freedom in countries, and to encourage competition among these countries to earn higher standing in their rankings.
    • Ms. Windsor expressed the fact that freedom is under attack and it is worse than ever. She urged all freedom fighters to coordinate strong freedom campaigns in order to achieve greater success against our opponents.

Announcements-

Atlas:

Other:

September 13th, 2007

Featured Speakers:

  • Hugo Alconada- Correspondent for La Nación ( Argentina)
    • Mr. Alconada spoke about the upcoming election in Argentina (October 28, 2007) in which he suspects Mrs. Kirchner will be elected. She has promised to maintain the current economic policies and make only gradual changes.
    • Described how the economic policy in Argentina is populist and pragmatic and how every 6-8 years, Argentina cycles through one form or economic policy and then switches to another.
    • The current president, Mr. Kirchner, is now negotiating different price controls for various produce commodities, providing the necessary government subsidies.
    • Mr. Alconada expressed the need for increased transparency in Argentina.
  • Tanja Stumberger – Research Associate for Cato Institute and Free Society Institute (Slovenia)
    • Miss. Stumberger spoke about the Free Society Institute (FSI) in Slovenia, which was founded in 2006. It was developed because of a drastic drop in Slovenia’s economic performance (according to Fraser’s Economic  Freedom Index) which was due to the size of the government and its ownership of key sectors.
    • Discussed how there needs to be a shift in peoples’ thinking, one that will move away from the current belief that the government is there to protect and take care of the citizens.
    • Compared to other similar countries, like Estonia and Slovakia, Slovenia is falling behind in its Economic Growth.
  • Richard Tren – Director of Africa Fighting Malaria (Washington, DC)
    • Africa Fighting Malaria was founded in 2000 and focuses on sound science particularly on the issue of DDT use to fight Malaria.
    • Mr. Tren spoke about the successes they’ve seen in the fight with Malaria, mentioning the World Health Organizations change of policy to endorse the use of DDT in appropriate quantities.
    • Mentioned the lack of measurement by donor agencies in seeing if the projects they are funding are more-or-less effective and how this problem is improving USAID and other institutes.
    • Noted that Malaria is only a concern in wealthier countries, showing how economic freedom and growth is directly related to the decline of deaths by Malaria.
    • Brought up the issue of the quality of medications coming into Africa. While competition from different pharmaceutical companies is ideal, no one is testing the quality, so AFM stepped in and is doing so now.
  • Alan Manwaring – Executive Director for the “Consensus of the Americas” (Washington, DC)
    • Mr. Manwaring is in the very preliminary stages of forming “The Consensus of the Americas”
    • This developing institute, will focus on networking private foundations and think tanks with corporations and publications in the business sector.
    • His organization’s goal is to show corporations how good governance policies, supported by these private institutions, are in their best interest in the long run. The Consensus of the Americas, will encourage these corporations to support these types of interests.

Announcements-

ATLAS:

OTHER:

August 16, 2007

Featured Speakers

  • Alberto Mingardi, Istituto Bruno Leoni (Torino, Italy)
    • Alberto touched briefly on the current Italian political situation. Essentially, the Center Right government refused to cut taxes, and the Left government wants to increase taxes.
    • The true focus of Alberto’s speech was a new product from Istituto Bruno Leoni, the Liberalization Index.
    • This index gives a measure of where Italy is, with regards to liberalized industries, compared to the rest of the world
    • IBL measured liberalization levels in the energy, post, telecommunications, and labor markets
    • It was found that on the whole, Italy is 52% liberalized.
    • The goal of this index is to present the Italian government with solid facts regarding the level of liberalization in these sectors, and to offer solutions to the negative effects these regulations have.
    • There are plans to continually push for further open markets, and a second edition, for next year is in the works. They plan to study the banking and financial markets as well as the markets studied previously.
  • Kertu Ruus – Aripaev – Estonian Business Daily (Estonia)
    • Kertu discussed the “cyber-war” that took place last April against the electronic systems in Estonia
    • On April 26th, 2007 the Estonian government chose to relocate a Soviet “liberation” statue from the Tallinn city center, to a cemetery outside the city.
    • This move sparked riots and protests amongst the Russian-speaking communities within Estonia. In fact, Estonians were urged to stay indoors, and out of harms way through nationwide text messages to individual mobile phones.
    • Soon after these events the Estonian internet system was bombarded with traffic; flooding, and nearly shutting down their entire system. Millions of innocent computers from around the world were used in the attack. Attacks were made on government offices, the prime minister’s office, Parliament, the financial minister, as well as banks and newspapers.  These attacks resulted in the temporary shutdown of email and banking capabilities for a few hours that day.
    • There was a fast response by the technology experts in Estonia. Nato, and experts abroad were flown in, in an effort to defend against this attack.
    • Consequences: Relations with Russia are now quite strained (while there is no solid proof that the Russian government was behind this attack, much of the activity was traced to a Putin administration e-mail address.) Railway cargo shipped from Russia is down 13%. Economic growth has slowed to 7.3%. In addition, Estonian goods were banned or boycotted by the Russian people. On the bright side this attack served as a major wake up call for the rest of the world, to see the true nature and potential of Russia.  NATO is moving to set up a cyber defense mechanism. Finally, Estonians have established themselves as champions and as a force to be reckoned with, they are now viewed as experts in the realm of cyber defense.
  • Sulkhan Khalvashi – New Economic School (Georgia)
    • NES- Georgia is the reason Sulkan is a libertarian today. NES focuses a great deal on educating students and youth about free market economic principles. Sulkhan is an example of one of those students.
    • To this date NES has held 200-220 events, reaching 7,400 people, 5,800 of whom are students. They view young people as the best place to focus on their efforts because they are eager to learn. Politicians are difficult to sway.
    • Future plans for NES Georgia include: a training series for journalists, Young Leaders Seminars, the establishment of a Center to cover issues faced by all countries in the region, seminars for government officials and a new strategy in which individuals are sent abroad to learn how to train young people in free market ideas, leadership and personal responsibility.
  • Sara ait Lmoudden – Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Morocco)
    • Currently attending an American/Moroccan private university where she is working towards her masters in Diplomacy. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development.
    • Sara was introduced to Atlas, and to our Middle Eastern Program through Hands Across Middle East. She worked with Atlas’s Sajid Anani, and Gabriel Sanchez-Zinny to put on a conference in Morocco with students from around the Middle East. This conference acted as a workshop, discussing the benefits and idea of a think tank, and coming up with plans and ways to impact current issues in the region.
    • Sara was inspired to begin to work on plans for starting a think tank relating to the issue of education in Morocco.

Announcements-

Atlas:

Other:

July 12, 2007

Featured Speakers

    • Damian Merlo, Otto Reich Associates (Washington D.C.)
      • Otto Reich Associates is a Washington, DC-based international business consultancy. ORA provides advice and on-site assistance to US and multinational business and non-profit firms in areas such as government relations, trade and investment financing, anti-corruption activities, political risk analysis and non-litigious dispute settlement.
      • Otto Reich Associates cares very much about promoting democracy and encourages transparency in their clients, they work from the private, for-profit sector to fight corruption between corporations and governments.
      • The most corrupt country in Latin America is probably Mexico, while the least is probably Chile, although they have their issues as well.
    • Anna Nadgrodkiewicz, Center for International Private Enterprise (Washington D.C.)
      • The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. CIPE has supported more than 1,000 local initiatives in over 100 developing countries, involving the private sector in policy advocacy and institutional reform, improving governance, and building understanding of market-based democratic systems.
      • Poland shares the same problem with other EU nations, the issue of a lack of proper governance and a constitution.
      • Poland has fulfilled its market economy obligations, all corporations have been privatized. They have experienced GDP growth of 10%, and many companies and investments are coming into the country.
    • Metin Toprak, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency ( Ankara, Turkey)
      • Turkey has adopted all EU directives of its own volition.  Toprak emphasizes that Turkey is politically and economically ready to join the EU. Accession is consistent with Muslim views. Institutionally, Turkey has modeled itself after Europe, and therefore feels as though it will have no problem assimilating into the Union.
      • Turkey, according to Toprak, is a bridge between East and West, the religious and the secular.
      • They view entering the EU as a serious benchmark for democracy; it will encourage a respect for civil society, and will solidify against some of the secularists’ anti-privatization and international investment messages.
    • Alexandre Pesey, Institut du Formation Politique (Paris, France)
      • Each year Pesey and Institut du Formation Politique bring the Tocqueville Fellows from France to learn about the American free-market movement, in an effort to educate them in skills and tactics for building a similar movement in France.
      • The Sarkozy presidential election shows a definite shift in the attitudes of the French.  Discussions and best-selling books question the ability of the state to solve problems. It is becoming evident that the state has failed in the obligations it has taken on.
      • France is in quite a mess since:  the public debt is 1.2 trillion EURO, which rises to 2.7 trillion EURO when taking into account the costs of the services provided; unemployment is steady at 10% while the rest of Europe’s rates are much lower; regulations are numerous; and taxes are excessively high. In addition, immigration is another important issue that Sarkozy will have to deal with.
      • All of these issues are causing the French people to look for new and better options, including school choice, fewer regulations etc. Sarkozy has promised reform, but has yet to deliver any. Making reforms is difficult as a.) Special interests are incredibly strong in France, and b.) Any reforms must be approved by the EU.

Announcements-

Atlas:

Other:

June 14, 2007

Featured Speakers

    • Jorge O’Reilly, Eidico S.A. (Argentina)
      • O’Reilly and other businessmen in Argentina plan to create an organization to respond to the ethical and cultural decline in Argentina. It is an organization aimed at reclaiming the traditional values of the country.
      • O’Reilly explained that this new organization will seek to educate parents, and all Argentineans, about the need for returning to traditional values.
    • Marcela Prieto, Instituto Ciencia Politica (Colombia)
      • Prieto discussed the current delegation from Colombia that is visiting the U.S. in order to encourage the passage of a Free Trade Agreement with the United States.
      • This delegation is made up of individuals from non-profit organizations representing the economic, sociological, human rights, private sector and education communities.
      • The Free Trade Agreement would greatly assist Colombia’s economy, and lead to further liberalization of their country. In addition, such an agreement would serve as a bulwark for Columbia, allowing them to stand up in some degree to the encroaching influence of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez.
      • This issue has become quite politicized as the Republicans in the U.S. Congress are interested in signing the agreement, but the Democrats need to be further encouraged, as they are worried over potential human rights issues. Panama and Peru are also currently in Free Trade Agreement discussions with the U.S. and both are expected to pass.
    • Mark Frazier, Openworld Institute (Washington D.C.)
      • Frazier described the success of Economic “Free Zones” that have sprouted up across the globe. These Zones have been small sections of a country that are relieved of most tariffs, taxes and government regulation in an effort to encourage rapid growth. These Zones have been successful in countries such as Ireland, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia and China. Often these Zones have served as a jumping off point for further liberalization of these countries.
      • Openworld Institute and Inc. are both working to facilitate the further spread of these economic free zones, as a means of liberalizing governments, and creating economic growth. They hope to use the momentum of the successes of these economic free zones to introduce rapid government reforms.
      • The goal is to use the Openworld Institute (which was just recently launched) to encourage the use of micro- vouchers, and micro-scholarships in order to further spread the benefits of liberalization.
      • Openworld Institute and FLOW Inc. are currently collaborating on creating Women’s Empowerment Free Zones  (FLOW Idealism)
    • Nathalie Liautaud, Caribbean-Central American Action (Washington D.C.)
      • Caribbean-Central American Action is an organization that seeks to expand the knowledge and understanding of Free Trade Agreements between the islands of the Caribbean and the United States. Their goal is to assist in the integration process, allowing for increased economic development in this region.
      • CCAA works with groups like USAID to facilitate a single market economy from within the private sector. Their aim is to encourage growth and trade. Their main focus is on the issues of energy, poverty reduction and disaster relief management.
      • Liautaud explained that CCAA works closely with the private sector and the U.S. Chambers of Commerce in these regions in order to assist them in taking full advantage of the opportunities within trade agreements. CCAA works to facilitate discussion and cooperation between the public and private sector; to that end they hold conferences and events in Washington D.C. that provide these groups with a space to interact.
      • Their most recent project involves maritime security issues in Haiti. They are working to build up, and increase port security in order to allow for increased economic growth. In addition to the project in Haiti CCAA is currently new alternative energy options, such as ethanol, in an effort to find viable alternatives.

Announcements

Atlas:

Other:

May 17, 2007

Featured Speakers

    • Scott LaGanga, Property Rights Alliance (Washington D.C.)
      • The Property Rights Alliance put together the International Property Rights Index which covered 70 nations and 95% of the world’s GDP. Alexandra Horst, the first Hernando de Soto Fellow at PRA, did the majority of the work on the index.
      • LaGanga explained that this index uses three main factors to define property rights: intellectual property rights, physical property rights, and the Rule of Law.
      • This new annual index creates a measurement by which governments and non-profit organizations can gauge the level of rights in their countries, in addition to finding ways to encourage policies that will improve respect for property rights.
      • The new De Soto Fellow will begin to work on the 2008 Index late this summer, and the new edition will be timed to release shortly after The Heritage Foundation’s next Index of Economic Freedom.
    • Hamid Dalglijli, Free Minds Association (Azerbaijan)
      • Dalglijli gave a brief history and description of the current political situation in Azerbaijan, a former Soviet nation that achieved independence in 1991. [ Backgrounder on Azerbaijan ]
      • Azerbaijan is judged mostly un-free in the Economic Freedom Index, not free in the political freedom index, and in the top 20% of countries with the highest corruption.
      • Azerbaijan is a country rich in oil, whose exports are controlled primarily through government with the profits staying within government.
      • Due to the intense conflict with Armenia there is a strong police state in Azerbaijan.
      • Dalglijli spoke about the work that his organization, the Free Minds Association, is doing to usher in new conversation about the role of government. The Association works primarily with students, youth and young professionals teaching them about free market economics, rule of law, and the proper role of government through seminars and conferences.  In addition, they translate books, like Bastiat’s The Law.  This year they are starting a National Debate School, where participants will debate the proper role of government, as well as a summer school for Turkish-speaking countries, which they will host in collaboration with the Association for Liberal Thinking in Turkey.
    • Lee Edwards, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (Washington D.C.)
      • Edwards described the fact that many people know the human cost of the Holocaust and Nazi Occupation, but many have no idea about the vast sums of casualties caused by Communist dictatorships since the Bolshevik revolution. More than 100 million lives have been lost over a span of 25 countries, due to communist oppression.
      • On June 12th a memorial will be dedicated to the victims of communism on Capitol Hill. The statue will be a bronze replica of the “Goddess of Democracy” statue which was erected by protesting students in Tiananmen Square; it has become a global symbol of freedom.
      • In addition to this memorial the Foundation plans to create a virtual museum, which will connect museums documenting communist oppression from around the world.
    • Varney Yengbeh, Liberia Institute for Strategic Policy and International Relations (U.S. and Liberia)
      • Yengbeh discussed a brief history, and gave a description of current Liberia. [ Backgrounder on Liberia ]
      • Their constitution is closely modeled after the United States Constitution, and was written at Harvard University. Unfortunately, the restraints put in place by this constitution are not put into political practice.
      • In addition Liberia was engaged in a civil war for 15 years, which only came to an end in 2003. Currently Liberia has the highest level of unemployment in the world, 85%. The illiteracy rate is about 87% the life expectancy is only late 40s, and the infant mortality rate is 1 in 5.
      • Yengbeh is hoping to encourage individuals to work and provide for themselves.  In addition, he hopes to encourage the government to create policies, and institutions that would encourage entrepreneurial behavior. The LISPIR’s goal is to be a lone, yet ever-present voice encouraging personal responsibility. They intend to work with high school and university students who lack real education yet are open-minded.

Announcements

Atlas:

Other:

April 12, 2007

Featured Speakers

    • Ken Hagerty, Global Venture Investors Foundation (Virginia)
      • Hagerty discussed his new proposal, Free Cities, which would set up small cities, within developing nations, putting in place the institutions and policies necessary to creating a free society. He sees this as bringing tremendous growth to that developing nation, and serving as an undeniable example of the viability of free market policies.
      • Hagerty believes that such organizations could attract the attention of major corporations, and could serve as a powerful force against corruption.
      • He hopes to get this initiative passed through  Congress with several groups he believes would be most interested in such a project – freedom-loving expatriates of developing nations, global corporations, advocates of religious freedom, groups worried about the spread of militant Islam.
    • Fadi Haddadin, Misbah Al Hurriyya Project, Cato Institute (Washington D.C.)
      • Haddadin discussed a project that he and Tom Palmer at the Cato Institute spearheaded about three years ago. This project began as an Arabic website through which classic works of liberal thought were translated into Arabic.
      • Demand lead them to expand their operations to include the translation of policy studies and more further classical liberal literature. Op-eds have been syndicated in newspapers throughout the Middle East.  Documentaries on successful entrepreneurs shown on the Al- Jazeera Network.
      • Their next steps are to prepare daily Arabic podcasts, and to further book translations and documentaries highlighting the impact of political and economic policies.
    • Denf ord Madenyika, activist and think tank entrepreneur (Zimbabwe)
      • Madenyika, who recently returned to the United States from Zimbabwe, discussed the current situation there, and what has inspired his work.
      • Madenyika discussed the deep seeded roots of terror ever present in Zimbabwean culture. During the war for liberation Mugabe used torture, rape and pillage as a means of securing a following. People are so afraid of a return to those conditions.
      • In addition to fear, the ruling regime in Zimbabwe has set up moles, throughout every village and town that report back to the government, therefore, nothing can happen in Zimbabwe without the government knowing.
      • Madenyika’s plan had been to educate the youth of the nation about the ideas of freedom, in an attempt to change the course for Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, an MP in the region attached himself to the project, and made it nearly impossible for Denford to spread his ideas, without the initiative being viewed as connected to the government.
      • His hope, in returning to the United States, is to continue to raise international support for the plight of Zimbabwe, and to one day return, when a regime change has finally been accomplished.
    • Bill Stokes, Atlantic Initiative (US, and Germany)
      • Stokes discussed Atlantic Initiative, a German-based organization, that seeks to increase transatlantic cooperation and increase dialogue and understanding of transatlantic issues.
      • The Atlantic Initiative site takes the most relevant articles, op-eds and reviews covering transatlantic issues, and creates a German-language digest , allowing the business community access to the most relevant information. They currently have 15,000 subscribers, and 50,000 unique visitors a month.
      • Their aim is to create a platform of young intelligent advocates interested in transatlantic business and issues who can effect pertinent policy changes.
      • To continue to develop their membership and influence, the Atlantic Initiative is launching the Atlantic Community, a social networking website, to connect business people across borders, and to move into policy education on transatlantic issues.

Announcements

Atlas:

      • EVENT: 7th Atlas Liberty Forum, April 24-26, Loews Philadelphia Hotel.
      • SAVE-the-DATE: The Atlas Experience, Aug 5-7, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

Other:

March 15, 2007

Featured Speakers

    • Paul Driessen, Congress of Racial Equality (New York) and Atlas (Virginia))
      • Driessen discussed climate change.  He is not a skeptic of climate warming; he believes it is happening, as it has happened at different times throughout the earth’s history.
      • He is a skeptic of the view of catastrophic climate change which he believes are a result of the following of bad science and bad economics.
      • Driessen also briefly mentioned a new film entitled, The Great Global Warming Swindle, by Martin Darkin.
    • Juliana Geron Pilon, Institute for World Politics (Washington, DC)
      • Spoke about the motivation and issues behind her recent book Why America is such a Hard Sell- Beyond Pride and Prejudice
      • People of the United States have no idea about the work that their government is doing in Foreign Assistance and democratization.
      • Pilon would like to encourage a new look at the concept of foreign assistance.
      • Pilon believes the United States should not hide the fact that it engages with other countries, working to bring about freedom.  This assistance not only helps those they work with but us as well. This approach then is more of an outreach, as opposed to an education effort.
    • Krishna Neupane, think tank entrepreneur (Nepal)
      • Plans to start a think tank in Nepal allying with The Boss magazine (a free market magazine in Nepal).
      • Krishna came to the United States to learn about Classical Liberalism and the conservative movement.
      • He discussed how Nepal is currently in crisis as the Maoists have now taken seats in parliament, and on March 16th they will take positions in the Cabinet as well.
      • The next two years are a critical period in Nepali history as a Constitutional Assembly will be taking place.
        • Since the Maoists have a voice, this can go badly
        • Has the potential to influence the future of Nepal for the next 50-100 years
      • Nepal used to be a symbol of freedom in S.E. Asia.  Reagan used to refer to Nepal as a partner in the fight, with a common political understanding.
    • Akbar Atri – Human Rights advocate, Iran
      • There is a struggle in Iran for democracy and human rights.  Yet Iranians are still oppressed.
      • The government has shut out all opposition.
        • A tyrannical minority has taken the people hostage.
        • Religious leaders enjoy control over the people.
      • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad  is increasingly subject to resistance within civil society and within the Regime
        • Last year students, teachers and labor all protested.
        • A women’s equality movement is starting grassroots advocacy.
      • Ideas on how the world can help
        • The preoccupation with the nuclear issue shadows the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom.
        • Students should put pressure on their governments to make respect for human rights a condition for further dialogue.
        • Investigate into Human Rights violations in Iran.
        • Publicize the struggle of the people to end censorship.
    • Thor Halvorssen, Human Rights Foundation (New York)
      • Halvorssen discussed the role and plans for the Human Rights Foundation.  HRF focuses on the ideals of:
        • Speech
        • Worship
        • Association
        • Property rights
        • Free movement
      • Halvorssen previously worked with F.I.R.E. where he was fighting for the rights of students on campus.
      • Halvorssen contrasted HRF’s work with other larger “human rights” organizations, which he contends are essentially anti-United States organizations.
      • Also discussed some of the troubling political trends occurring in South America.  He specifically spoke about Chavez, and how his strategy for consolidating power is being followed in Bolivia and Ecuador.

Announcements

Atlas:

      • EVENT: 7th Atlas Liberty Forum, April 24-26, Loews Philadelphia Hotel.
      • EVENT: The Atlas Experience, Aug 5-7, Niagara on the Lake, Canada.
      • EVENT: Student Leadership Conference, April 10-15, Alakhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco.
      • PROGRAM: Winners of the 2007 TFA f inalized.

Other:

      • EVENT: International Leadership Institute Training Seminar, Leadership Institute, Arlington, VA, April 15 – 22.
      • PAPER: Property Rights Alliance just released the International Property Rights Index (IPRI) on Tuesday, with its 37 international partners from 6 continents (many of them Atlas members).
      • PROGRAM: Peter Schaefer has launched a new legal effort which will create new titles and provide liquidity based on those titles

January 18, 2007

Featured Speakers

    • JD von Pischke, Frontier Finance International (Maryland)
        • JD discussed microfinance, microcredit, and his organization, F.F.I.  JD believes FFI is the only group which sees as their objective making financial markets more efficient through competitive forces
        • JD also discussed the types of Microfinance Institutions, specifically their stereotypical features, values, and behaviors.
        • A short explanation on microfinance by JD can be found at http://www.quaker.org/clq/2004/TQE108-EN-Microfinance.html
        • Also of interest – Muhammad Yunnus received the Nobel Peace Prize for the work of the Grameen Bank, a micro-lending institution
        • Koshin discussed recent changes in Somalia, including the recent peace conference which was the first convening of the parliament inside of Somalia
        • Koshin is a business man, and is the current Ambassador Designate to the United States for the Somalia government.  He is here seeking the support of the United States government for the current Somalia government.
        • ARTICLE:  Somalis Must Reach Out for Unity, US Official Says by Karen DeYoung (Washington Post, 1/18/07)
    • Anthony Kim – Center for International Trade & Economics, Heritage Foundation (Somalia)
    • Yves Savain – Keybridge International
        • Yves spoke on Haiti and the Haitian HOPE Act.
        • The Haitian Hope Act is a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Haiti which seeks to reduce trade restrictions on the Haitian textile industry.
        • A paper on the act by the Congressional Research Service can be found at http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/40967.pdf

Announcements

Atlas:

Other:

      • EVENT: Tonight – Institute for World Politics is having its Open House from 5:30 to 8:00PM (1521 16th St NW, Washington, DC).
      • EVENT: Minaret of Freedom Institute will be hosting a commemoration of Milton Friedman Day.  The event will be a brown bag lunch presentation on  ” Free to Choose Madrassas ” at 12 noon on January 29th at Minaret of Freedom Institute’s offices (4641 Montgomery Avenue, Bethesda, MD in Suite #30).
      • Event: Milton Friedman Day on January 29th – PBS will air a documentary about Milton Friedman on January 29th, called ‘The Power of Choice: the Life and Ideas of Milton Friedman.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2007 at 4:36 PM. It is filed under @ Atlas, Events and tagged with . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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