Antrum Platonicum

Tom Palmer is a true heavyweight of libertarian activism. He has carried the ideas of liberty to some of the most oppressed and dangerous parts of the planet, smuggling books into the Soviet Union and has overseen the translation of the great works of Bastiat and Hayek into regional languages to fight the dogma that state control employs.

Antrum Platonicum

Following the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession in the western world, capitalism seemed to have been undermined, discredited and rejected in the eyes of too many voters. Are we seeing a return to liberal values? Or are we fighting a losing fight?

Atrium

The most polemical issue in recent Spanish history has attracted widespread international attention. With tensions high, how should we proceed from here? Two young Spanish activists have been working tirelessly in Catalonia, and will discuss their opposing views over the future of Spain.

Scholasticus

Feminism, as it has grown, has come into conflict with fundamental liberal ideas. Is it possible to reconcile the equality of outcome demanded by modern feminism with a sensible, liberal perspective? Which is desirable for a society, if these who ideologies cannot coexist, and what must change?

Anglia

Could localism provide a convincing answer to the deficit, both fiscal and democratic, suffered by central government? Does localism make the nation as a whole wealthier, freer, happier and more efficient? We will hear from the experts from the ECR’s Committee of Regions.

Populus Libertatis

The political formation of young people is an issue that cuts deep into the fabric of our culture and our society. How do we come to form the opinions we hold? Are we justified in holding these beliefs, or do we hold them due to a misconception, a bias, or a fallacious argument prevalent accross society? The discussion, to be moderated by Dr Javier Hurtado Mira, will centre on how liberals ought to see the world of the political youth.

Forum Libertati

Miguel Bastos and Jesus Huerta de Soto are going into the crucible. Both men are renowned professors and the top of their fields, both political economists belonging to the Austrian school and both will stop at nothing to lay down the truth about socialism and its effects on the life, prosperity and liberty of those living under it.

Atrium

In the heart of the convention, join our most talented speakers and debators discuss an issue central to liberal thought since the days of Smith and Ricardo. Daniel Hannan MEP, the "Brexit Architect", Tom Palmer, renowned scholar, author and activist and former President of Madrid Esperanza Aguirre, will make the intellectual and moral case for free trade.

Antrum Platonicum

Europe stands at the crossroads of two competing futures. Ahead of the 2019 elections, Europe must choose between a future of cooperation of distinct free trading nation states, or a protectionist bloc.

Atrium

Two academics and fellow activists will discuss the feat of a lifetime out in the field supporting libertarian organisations. Alejandro Chafuen, former president and CEO of Atlas Economic Research Foundation, and Gabriel Calzada President of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, are staging an open debate.

Populus Libertatis

As Libertad Digital celebrates their 18-year anniversary in the business of promoting liberal values in the press, they also reflect on the past, present and future successes that will shape the way liberalism evolves over the coming decades.

Scholasticus

The School of Salamanca is of the most important institutions of our civilisation, which guided us through the age of discovery and the renaissance, and now we turn again to Salamanca to challenge the very ideas which many of us take for granted.

Anglia

The Leadership institute leads the charge for training a new generation of conservative leaders. Having trained nearly 200,000 leaders and activists since its foundation, the institute will share its insight and expertise on a subject that has plagued conservatives at the ballot box. How do we connect Free Market Ideas to voters’ values?

Forum Libertati

Worldwide, liberal students are standing up for fundamental freedoms in Universities. The difference between opinion and incitement is under assault, and our institutions wilfully censor mainstream beliefs in an attempt to avoid offence. Students for Liberty is leading the charge internationally for campus freedom, and take centre stage in the Convention.

Perfugium

The perfugium is a place of refuge. Cicero, a Roman statesman, spoke of how the Roman home is the “common refuge of all”. As Consul, he had no authority there, and each man was to find there a safe haven, free from the unwelcome interference of his State.

Atrium

An open debate at the centre of the convention. Daniel Martinez is the leader of Spain's Libertarian party, and will discuss the doctrine as well as the strategy with José Augusto Dominguez, a student of law and master of Economics, belonging to the Austrian School. How can libertarians approach the coming decades?

Populus Libertatis

An ominous presence of the last few years of both domestic and international affairs alike, the issue of state-sponsored cyber-attacks is opening a new front for rival nations. The targets have often been our democracies themselves, sowing doubt and discontent. How best we understand these attacks and their motives? How will this frontline develop over the coming years?

Atrium

Are we fighting a losing battle, one which will spell the end of freedom? An open debate led by two expert communicators on how we as liberals need to wage the war of ideas in a world which has been shifted to the left.

Atrium

Those two Greek experts will give us a brief history of the Greek debt saga as well as practical examples on how protectionism, over-regulation, a bloated public sector and crony capitalism can bring a country to its knees. They will also explain why expectations for a "quiet summer" - or a "clean exit" from its third bailout programme this coming August - may prove to be nothing more nothing less than wishful thinking.

Anglia

Epicenter's Adam Bartha and the IEA's Kate Andrews are here at The Convention to finally put to rest some of the subtle misconceptions, insidious fallacies and downright myths that are perpetuated in public discourse.

Scholasticus

Inequality has been a mainstay of political discussion for many decades. But is inequality really threatening to undermine the integrity of our nations? Does inequality in our societies risk driving us to an economic or political crisis, or are our worries misdirected?

Populus Libertatis

What does it mean to have electoral freedom? Will the approaching upheaval in technology inevitably come at the cost of our democratic freedom, or can we capitalise on these improvements to return more decision making to the people?

Forum Libertati

Ideas of hostility to technological progress has existed in many forms for hundreds of years. Technological liberalism offers us a pragmatic, optimistic ambition. To embrace new institutions, new technologies, we open ourselves to more creativity and flourishing in both our economy and our political system.

Antrum Platonicum

How can we prepare ourselves for the unknown challenges of the future? Can we turn to the same guiding principles that have preserved liberal democracy in the past? The Convention looks to marry the disciplines of philosophy, politics and economics to chart out a moral, practicable and prosperous ambition for us all.