Acton University

For several years now, the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, compiled by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, has listed Acton University as the No. 1 free market conference in the world. Each year Acton University attracts nearly 1,000 attendees from around the world, including scholars, clergy, business professionals, and nonprofit leaders. Acton University is where they engage in unmatched educational programming and discussions aimed at developing a cohesive understanding of individual liberty, free markets, and personal moral responsibility. But Acton University is more than a conference: It’s a life-changing event for many of the attendees.

Objectives

Since 2005 we’ve received comments about how life-changing it is after every summer conference—comments from people who’ve decided to bring back the lessons from the four-day program and implement them in their lives and to foster a community based on faith and freedom.

We typically receive double the number of applications that we can host and so select only the top individuals based on their unique authority and impact within their communities. Past years have shown that the average attendee influences hundreds of people, leading to thousands more being reached by Acton University’s curriculum, table conversations, and classroom engagement with lecturers.

In 2020 Acton chose to bring our world-class programing to new audiences by creating a highly engaging online experience. Premiering in 2020, the new “Acton University Online” allowed us to connect with more leaders than ever. In 2021 we welcomed more than 3,300 registrants from 86 countries around the world, allowing us to more than TRIPLE OUR USUAL REACH! Condensed into two days, this world-renowned educational event enabled attendees to participate in digital panel discussions, “Engage the Speaker” sessions, topic-focused chat rooms, and on-demand lectures. Main-stage plenary sessions were also broadcast in French, Portuguese, and English to accommodate the diverse crowd. Participants designed their own curriculum by choosing from over 50 sessions on theology, business, economics, philosophy, politics, history, and international development. Courses were offered by a diverse faculty of international experts drawn from business, academia, and a number of religious traditions.

With sessions like “Economic Growth and Institutions: A History,” “International Economic Development: Latin America,” “An Ecosystem of Liberty: Private Property and the Free Exercise of Religion,” and “Understanding Globalization,” Acton University provides a chance to meet, personally connect with, and be inspired by highly leveraged leaders and scholars from different backgrounds, areas of expertise, and nationalities.

Testimonials

“I’m not exaggerating: My experience at Acton University has changed the way I see the world. Acton’s principles have helped me see the world as it actually is, and for that I’m grateful. The ideas I learned through Acton have helped me better understand and critique public policy proposals, but I’ve also used Acton’s principles in ministry. I am speechless. It was life-changing. Amen.”

Anonymous

“I have been a part of many educational/development experiences over the past four decades. My experience over the past two days stands above all of those institutions. The impact on my thinking, on my heart, on my soul has been significant. Thank you for such a rich blessing.”

Anonymous

“I am very grateful to Acton University and team for organizing such a conference, which has helped and will continue to help bridge the gap between the church, state, and civilians. It has brought together the scholars, the religious leaders, and the lay entrepreneurs. I now understand how I can use my position and knowledge to change my environment for the betterment of human dignity. I thank God for Acton University—for the scholarship and support.”

Anonymous

Stats

16,433

Applicants since 2010

16,950

Participants since 2010

Countries represented

6,934

International participants

91%

Participants receiving scholarships

$6,204,684.83

Funds raised to host AU since 2010

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