Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty

Education: The Programs and Education Department of the Acton Institute equips current and emerging leaders in economics, religion, and business through high-quality educational initiatives. These programs emphasize the moral foundations of a free economy and aim to foster an environment where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive. While open to all, priority is given to applicants with a demonstrated ability to effect change and influence within their institutions, communities, and denominations-both nationally and internationally. The Institute offers a range of educational programs, from intimate seminars to large-scale conferences. Its flagship event, Acton University, is a four-day annual conference that attracts over 800 participants from nearly 90 countries to explore the principles of a free and virtuous society. Many attendees receive financial assistance to help cover expenses such as lodging, meals, registration, and, when needed, travel. Additionally, the Education Department actively builds ecumenical networks of religious leaders, students, educators, and business professionals to broaden the Institute's impact, form strategic partnerships, and stay responsive to the needs of its global audience.

General Education and Communications: The Institute reaches out to business leaders, policymakers, students, and religious and community leadership groups through lectures, media products, web and social media, and various writings. The Institute hosts a variety of events across the nation to engage our supporters and partners. In 2024, we hosted luncheons and dinners with distinguished Acton lecturers that ranged from 25-100+ participants in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. Additionally, we hosted our 34th Annual Dinner which was held in Grand Rapids to promote outreach and to thank supporters for their partnership. The dinner and program festivities included prominent public speakers, Institute supporters and partners from all over the world. Over 500 participated, representing many states and several foreign countries. We host a busy slate of activities and events in our local facility for discussions of a variety of topics related to our work, including our Acton Lecture Series. Acton Institute also operates a bookstore to promote and sell its own publications, in addition to outside publications, related to our mission and program outreach areas. These educational materials were sold, distributed and exhibited at a variety of events throughout the world. Our rich and robust web presence centers on the Acton website (www.acton.org), and includes other Acton sites such as Religion and Liberty Online as well as a great deal of current and historical Acton-produced content. The Institute has a broad and growing presence in social media. This platform has steadily increased the scope and frequency of Acton's outreach to the general public. The Communications Department manages the Acton websites, blog, podcasts, and social media which use leading technology to integrate text, audio, and video content in easily accessible formats and venues to promote Acton's message to web users. It publishes the print and digital editions of the redesigned Religion & Liberty. The Communications Department also connects Acton experts with print and broadcast journalists covering faith and policy issues. Acton's newest documentary film The Hong Konger was released in 2023. It received multiple film festival screenings and awards and continues to bring exposure to the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai and his fight for freedom in Hong Kong.