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Libertarian economists, philosophers, politicians, academics and journalists from 15 countries gathered at an international conference “Toward Liberty: Turning Principles into Reality” in Vilnius, July 6-10. The event was organized by the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI), the International Society for Individual Liberty, U.S.A., and the Libertarian International, organisation of Europe’s libertarians. Lithuanian weekly Veidas was an information supporter of the conference. The event was the 22nd annual meeting of libertarians from different parts of the globe, people of different interests and backgrounds, but united by the ideas of individual liberty.
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The conference focused on the following issues: why totalitarian states survive nowadays, whether apparatchik economics is already the past or still the future, how we should call the European Union - the four freedoms or super leviathan, whether globalization is needed for the world, and what are the prospects and problems for freedom in non-western societies.
The conference also addressed the issue of liberty and war with a special focus on what kind of order the US government is trying to implement around the world today. The conference speakers also discussed the issue of the Internet as a new possibility and a new battlefield for freedom, and an impressive number of other topics.
One of the conference days was dedicated to explore the history of oppression. Participants were offered a visit to the Grutas Park (Stalin’s world) where they were able to observe the consequences of disregard for freedom. The Grutas Park is the only place in the world where an astounding amount of Soviet sculptures and other symbols have been turned into an open air museum, constructed like a Soviet lager for political dissidents.
Among recognised international speakers were Mr. Hans Hermann Hoppe, a famous American-German philosopher; Mr. Jurij Maltsev, a former advisor to the M. Gorbachev Government and currently professor of economics at Carthage College in Wisconsin; Mr. Jaroslav Romanchuk, the Vice President of the official opposition party of Belarus; Mr. Jan Narveson, a famous Canadian philosopher; Ms. Elena Leontjeva, the Chair of LFMI’s Board, and other truly prominent speakers and panellists.
Such annual conferences have played a vital role in facilitating the growth of the world liberty movement. Since 1982, they have been held in most Western European as well as in some former communist countries (Russia, Estonia and the Czech Republic). Other events took place in Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada and South Africa.
Every year these conferences provide opportunities for participants to meet and communicate with leading liberal thinkers and those who have had experience in turning the principals of liberalism into reality.
A CD of the 22nd ISIL World Conference is available to order...
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