July 15, 2010
IAF Alumni Group Hosts Lecture on Liberty
Dr. Tom Palmer |
The history of liberty was revisited in a lecture by Tom Palmer,
Vice President for International Programs of
Atlas
Economic Research Foundation and Director of
Cato
University, San Diego, California. The event was organized by
the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) Alumni Group
on 15 July 2010 at FNF’s new office in La Fuerza Plaza 2.
Speaking on the topic
Liberty, Constitutionalism and the
Rule of Law, Dr. Palmer traced back liberty to ancient
Sumeria, at the time when offsetting powers must already be sought
and organized. He proceeded to discuss the Greek Civilization and
highlighted it as an example of the
exercise of personal
freedom through trade. In the rise of the Roman Republic,
Dr. Palmer underscored Cicero’s “law of nature,”
which embodies the
principles of human rights and the rule
of law. This, in turn, gave birth to civil societies and
the recognition of individual rights – the concepts of identity
and self that is the center of John Locke’s teachings.
Dr.
Palmer presentation is available here.
(From Left) Liberal Party Director General Chito Gascon, Dr.
Tom Palmer and (right) Mr. Nonoy Oplas |
The members of the Alumni Group include those who attended the
International Academy for Leadership (IAF) seminars in Germany.
The IAF Alumni used to hold regular informative meetings on relevant
issues. Aside from the annual replication seminar of IAF programs,
the event with Dr. Palmer could hopefully reinvigorate the group’s
activities.
The lecture was open to the public. The guests appreciated the
discussion and requested the conduct of similar events in the
future. They took back with them publications on liberalism for
supplemental reading for a deeper understanding of the philosophy.
