Location: Aix-en-Provence, France
Dates: July 11-13, 2024
Detailed conference program and additional speakers to be announced
Location: Aix-en-Provence, France
Dates: July 11-13, 2024
Detailed conference program and additional speakers to be announced
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.
Since 1978, Classical liberals from France and the four corners of Europe and the world—economists, historians, philosophers, jurists, teachers, students, professionals—have met in the city of Aix-en-Provence, welcomed by the splendid Faculty of Law. At a time when crises of all kinds seem to befall us and the social project that we have painfully developed seems threatened, it is essential to extend this tradition. The disorders we are experiencing are closely linked to the multiple attacks against our freedoms. The proof is that, when these are honored, chaos dissipates, the accounts are balanced, innovation and prosperity take over in all areas: environment, education, health, agriculture, AI, security, etc. and life in our societies is pacified. So, register now for 3 days of debates and discoveries, intellectual and humane.
Hotel Aquabella, Aix-en-Provence
Welcoming speeches by Prof. Pierre Garello and Dr. Jean-Philippe Delsol
Discours de bienvenue par Pierre Garello et Jean-Philippe Delsol
Keynote speech
Lord Syed Kamall
(Institute of Economic Affairs, former Member of the European Parliament, former Minister of HM Government)
"The challenges for classical liberals in the current political climate"
How the West Grew Rich: Understanding the link between liberty and progress (Bernard Deforge, Carlo Stagnaro, Jean-Philippe Delsol)
Decrypting Argentina’s revolution and challenges (Emilio Ocampo, Gabriel Calzada, Nikolai Wenzel, Nathalie Janson)
Bâtiment Pouillon
Amphithéâtre DUMAS (ground floor)
(Check the French page for the french-speaking session)
Amphitheater DUMAS
(Check the French page for the french-speaking session)
Constitutional changes in Bulgaria : A victory for freedom and democracy
Honouring Professor Gérard Bramoullé
Bâtiment Pouillon
The subsidiarity principle is there to guide us in allocating power in a democracy: who should have the right to do what? To favor regulation from the top is renaging on that principle. Fiscal federalism (letting lower level of government decide about taxation) on the contrary complies with the principle.
The management of a city is often taken as clear case for planing and for restricting freedom. Is it so ? What if an orderly city could emerge from the absence of planing?
(See the French webpage for the parallel session in French)
80 years ago, F.A. Hayek was able to create a new dynamics for classical liberal ideas with the publication of his book "The Road to Serfdom". Explaining how a liberal democracy would work is not always easy. What are the difficulties and how to overcome them.
The Pavillon Vendôme is a historic pavilion surrounded by a French formal garden located 32 rue Celony in Aix-en-Provence.
Registration (without room on campus)
Includes conference fees, meals and cocktails.
Student Registration (without student room)
Includes conference fees, meals and cocktails.
Student Registration (WITH student room)
Includes room on campus for 3 nights, conference fees, meals and cocktails.
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