This week on 24 and 25 May in Johannesburg, the Free Market Foundation (FMF) together with US organisations *Atlas Network and sponsor The John Templeton Foundation, will host the Africa Liberty Forum, which brings together the best and the brightest in Africa to discuss and exchange solutions that promote liberty and free-market reforms in the region. This is one of an international series of forums and a first on South African soil. The interactive sessions will focus on efforts to strengthen civil society and how to move public policy in the direction of greater freedom. In the context of the turmoil and conflict facing South Africa today, this is a timely and essential gathering.
Key themes include the role of entrepreneurism and education in the future of Africa; how think tanks can play a critical role in economic freedom; that the Rule of Law is essential for liberty; transformation through growth not redistribution and apartheid, Mandela, and socialism: time for change. (See link to full programme below.)
Dr. Tom G. Palmer of Atlas Network, USA, will lead the programme with a keynote speech on morality, property, and prosperity vs. confiscation and cronyism. Other international and local speakers include:
- Tim Modise – Journalist, TV and radio presenter, South Africa
- John Kane-Berman – Institute of Race Relations, South Africa
- Gareth Cliff – Cliff Central, South Africa
- Andrew Mwenda – Journalist, Uganda
- Bright Simons – mPedigree, Ghana
- Ann Bernstein – Centre for Development and Enterprise, South Africa
- Leon Louw – Free Market Foundation, South Africa
- Chris Becker – Investec Bank Limited, South Africa
- Rex van Schalkwyk – former Judge of the Supreme Court, South Africa
- Brad Lips – Atlas Network, USA
- Temba Nolutshungu – Free Market Foundation, South Africa
Other highlights include a regional “Think Tank Shark Tank” competition, where contestants have the chance to pitch their innovative project before a panel of philanthropists and the regional network of free-market think tanks for a chance to win $5,000. Also the winner of the 2017 Africa Liberty Award will be announced.
Washington-based Atlas Network is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the worldwide freedom movement by connecting over 450 independent partners in 97 countries that share the vision of a free, prosperous, and peaceful world where limited governments defend the rule of law, private property, and free markets. http://atlasnetwork.org/.
The Free Market Foundation seeks to promote and foster an open society, the rule of law, personal liberty, and economic and press freedom as fundamental components of its advocacy of human rights and democracy based on classical liberal principles. http://www.freemarketfoundation.com/
Media Contacts
Atlas USA: Daniel Anthony, Daniel.Anthony@AtlasNetwork.org or (202) 449-8441
South Africa: Jayne Boccaleone 082 904 3616 jboccaleone@gmail.com
FULL SCHEDULE AVAILABLE HERE (http://www.freemarketfoundation.com/View-Event?i=144)