“Music is Freedom” declared the lead singer of H_ART the Band—as they opened up the first East African Students for Liberty Regional Conference at the Catholic University in Nairobi, Kenya—welcoming in the 476 students who came from across the continent to learn more about liberty and student activism. The students came from countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda, and even war torn South Sudan, eager to meet their Kenyan counterparts and learn how to expand the freedom movement across Africa. Starting off strong, the talks commenced with the subject of entrepreneurship, with Mike Rotich of the East Africa Policy Centre and David Muumbi of the Kenya Youth Business Trust elaborating on how entrepreneurship can pave a stronger future for Africa and how the students could pursue entrepreneurship in their own lives. This was followed by an open mic session where students already engaged in entrepreneurship were invited to share their experiences and to suggest what would be the most important political or social change to help entrepreneurs on the continent. Over a dozen students eagerly told their stories, concluding with statements that what Africa needed most was “free trade” or “an end to corruption”. In fact, there were so many in the audience that were already involved in businesses of their own that they had to limit the number that came up to speak. Apparently the students didn’t need to be told to become entrepreneurs, they were already taking action on their own! Indeed, entrepreneurship was the predominant theme throughout the conference. I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard a single word said so many times in a single day before. Thus it was no surprise that the star speaker at the event was the multi-millionaire legendary Kenyan industrialist Manu Chandaria, who challenged the students to reach their …
A Fantastic Week of Liberty and Entrepreneurship in Ponikiew, Poland
This year’s Liberty English Camp in Poland was strategically held right after the biggest libertarian conference Poland has ever seen – the European Students for Liberty Regional Conference in Krakow. That successful event brought nearly 120 young, passionate freedom lovers to attend a great conference, enlarge their networks, and simply to have fun. It is not a coincidence that I am mentioning the ESFL conference when talking about our Liberty English Camp, because as they were just one day apart we were able to share a few speakers and also a number of students. The conference built the perfect foundation for the Camp. On Sunday, September 8th, 20 students from 4 countries (Estonia, Germany, Nigeria, Poland) and 6 moderators from 6 countries (Belarus, Ethiopia, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, United States) gathered in the picturesque village of Ponikiew, 7km from Wadowice, Pope John Paul II’s hometown. Introductions were made around the fire and with a wonderful barbeque. It was Monday when the official program began. Activities were divided into lectures on classical liberal fundamental principles, discussions in small groups, guest lectures, workshops, movie screenings, and student debates. The program was very packed, but we still found time for sport (tennis, volleyball, swimming pool) and late night discussions. The camp’s program was very intense. Classes on classical liberal principles were conducted by Glenn Cripe, executive director of Language of Liberty Institute and Jaroslav Romanchuk, head of the Mises Scientific Center in Belarus. Students had a chance to explore philosophical background and learn about the proper role of government as envisioned by the most prominent liberal/libertarian thinkers. Beyond ideology, an important stress was made on the importance of entrepreneurship as an independent way of living. This year’s camp was host to an amazing line up of speakers, all promoting that message: Michael Severance of …