Summer University 2024

There are many reasons to worry about the current global situation; reasons pertaining to domestic matters –such as inflation, public debt, poor quality of many public services, tensions between various categories of the population, mismanagement of immigration – as well as to international matters – such as military conflicts, terrorism, global warming… As a result, a feeling of chaos prevails that can quickly lead to a withdraw into oneself, to rely on protectionism and a strong State, hence rejecting the principles that have prevailed during the centuries which took us out of poverty. The general purpose of the conference is to restate, in the light of current events, the principles of a liberal democracy, to carefully examine the policies that in the past and present times have helped avoid chaos and return to the path to prosperity, to illustrate the link between freedom, responsibility and the possibility of a creative order.

If philosophy and general reflection will have their say throughout these days, the orientation of the debates will be pragmatic, presenting and analyzing the experiences which have made it possible to improve things in sectors as varied as healthcare, education, agriculture, the environment, culture, energy, public finances, market dynamics, the use of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence or diplomacy.

Special attention will be given to institutional matters. To give ourselves every chance, we must put the principle of subsidiarity back at the heart of our institutional life. This means letting individuals explore new avenues together as much as possible — these are the experiences mentioned above. This also means leaving as much power as possible to local authorities: strong and responsible decentralization. This also has implication for the future of Europe.