Liberty seminars, Slovenia 2010

Liberty Seminars are organized by the Lighthouse Association (Društvo Svetilnik), a Slovenian classical liberal think tank, in partnership with the Cato Institute, a U.S. classical liberal think tank.

The Liberty Seminars are open to people of all ages and from any background. Many participants will consider themselves classical liberals or libertarians, but it is by no means a requirement. Anyone with an interest in the ideas of liberty is invited to take part.

The first edition of this project had only one seminar (Liberty Camp) held between September 14-20, 2008. Only a year later, the second seminar (Freedom and Transition) was adder to the project. The fourth Liberty Seminars took place between September 13-26, 2011. The fifth Liberty Seminars are expected to take place in September 2012.

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1st SEMINAR: LIBERTY CAMP is a week-long seminar that actively explores the historical, philosophical and economic foundations of a free society through engaging lectures, small group discussions, movie screenings, debates and presentations. In an intellectually stimulating environment, develop a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Europe today. Explore and discuss a range of issues:
- the origins, meaning and theories of individual civil and economic rights
- the rule of law and property rights in a free society
- government's powers and its proper limitations
- theories of justice
- the nature of a liberal democracy
- ways of strengthening civil society
College students or recent graduates who are interested in the proper workings of a free society.

2nd SEMINAR: FREEDOM AND TRANSITION is a unique week-long seminar, dedicated to the advanced study of liberty in European transition countries. Debates and lectures will take you beyond the basic principles of classical liberal thought, while examining the breadth and depth of two decades of economic and political developments in post-socialist Central and Eastern Europe. Join other intellectually curious individuals in applying classical liberal insights to the range of transition issues including:
- economic and political institutions
- informal rules, the rule of law, and growth
- corruption and public sector transparency
- public choice theory
- markets and morality
- crony capitalism
- failed vs. successful privatization
Graduate students, junior scholars, young professionals and advanced undergraduate students who are well versed in the principles of the free society and would like to spend an unforgettable week with other individuals who share the same passion to advance the ideas of liberty more effectively across the region.

Both seminars are run entirely in English.

Both seminars are held at Hotel Jezero at Lake Bohinj.

Participation fee for either seminar in 2011 was only 200 euro, which is due to the generous support of our private donors wishing to encourage a better grasp of the ideas of liberty enables us to offer the Liberty Seminars at significantly discounted cost to the participants (please note that the cost of attending the seminar is 600 euro per participant). This means that each applicant accepted to the seminar automatically received a scholarship that reduced his or her fee to 200 euro. The participation fee of 200 euro guarantees a participant's entree to all activities of the academic program of the seminar, accommodation and meals at Hotel Jezero, field trips to Castle Bled and Waterfall Savica, outdoor activities (canoeing, camp-fires, etc.), books, CDs and other material.

Participants are responsible for their travel costs to/from the seminar. We do not offer travel grants.

Only the first 40 qualified applicants are invited to attend each of two Liberty Seminars.

The applications for the Liberty Seminars 2012 will open in June 2012.

We hope to see you in September 2012!