On May 2, 2007 Istituto Acton sponsored an all-day conference for the last of it eight-part series dedicated to the social encyclical Centesimus Annus at the Pontifical Lateran University. Before an audience of seminarians, doctoral students, professors, journalists and diplomats, a panel of speakers with expertise in theology, philosophy, politics and entrepreneurship addressed the fundamental pillars of a free society. Various themes were discussed such as upholding the rule of law to protect freedoms and natural rights, political stability and develop a culture which strives to toward the common good of man and based on principle of subsidiarity.  During the conference, Dr. Andrea Schneider, advisor to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, was awarded Acton’s highest academic prize, the Novak Award, and delivered the Calihan Lecture entitled “Centesimus Annus: Law, Human Rights, and the Free Society”.

Speakers

• H.E. Bishop Rino Fisichella (Rector, Pontifical Lateran University)
  Bio - Video

• Mr. Timothy Busch (CEO, Pacific Hospitality Group)
  Bio - Video

• Dr. Russell Hittinger (Professor of Philosophy, University of Tulsa)
  Bio - Video - Interview

• Prof. Mary Ann Glendon (President, Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences; Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard Law School) 
  Bio - Video

• Mr. François Michelin (CEO Emeritus, Michelin Group)

• Dr. Anton Smitsendonk (President, International Chamber of Commerce)
  Bio - Video

• Fr. Thomas Williams, LC (Professor of Moral Theology, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum)
  Video

• Dr. Andrea Schneider (Advisor, Office of the German Federal Chancellor)
  Video

In the Press

• "Fisionomia dell'Acton Institute, fucina dei libertari cattolici", Corriere del Sud (2007/04/30)
• “Catholic Social Doctrine More Than Mere Policy: Interview With Professor Russell Hittinger”, Zenit News Agency (2007/05/04)
• “A szabad társadalom alapjai római konferencia az Acton Intézet rendezésében”, Vatikáni Rádió (2007/05/05)
• "La dimensione religiosa della libertà umana e la società libera", International Observatory Cardinal Van Thuân (2007/05/06)
• "La sussidiarietà è il vero antidoto allo statalismo", Libero (2007/05/10)
• Vatican Radio Interview with Dr. Andrea Schneider
• Interview with Dr. Andrea Schneider by Viktoria Somogyi (2007/05/02)
• Vatican Radio Interview with Dr. Anton Smitsendonk

Pictures