Acton Events

Acton Experience

Friday, September 19, 2025 - Saturday, September 20, 2025

Date: Friday, September 19, 2025 – Saturday, September 20, 2025

Location: The One Business Center – Av. Raja Gabáglia, 1143 - Luxemburgo, Belo Horizonte - MG, 30380-103

Languages: Portuguese, English

Invitation only, limited registration. 


Event Details

The Acton Institute is bringing the distinctive spirit of its flagship global conference, Acton University, to Brazil. On September 19–20, in Belo Horizonte, Acton Experience Brazil will gather up to 300 influential leaders from across Brazil’s religious, academic, political, civil society, and business communities for a high-impact event. Through keynote talks, dynamic seminars, and deep conversations, participants will explore the moral, theological, and economic foundations of a free and virtuous society. It’s an opportunity to sharpen your intellect, expand your worldview, and connect with others committed to the flourishing of Brazil.

Program Highlights

The result of years of partnerships and connections built with Brazilian leaders, this is the first edition of an Acton Institute event to take place in Brazil, an event dedicated to exploring liberty, faith, and morality within our cultural context. It will bring together participants from across the country in an environment committed to deep reflection on the ethical foundations of a free and virtuous society.

Inspired by the renowned Acton University, held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where for 20 years more than 1,000 leaders from over 80 countries have gathered, the Acton Experience in Brazil brings this transformative experience to our local context, offering intellectually rich content tailored to the Brazilian reality.

In a dynamic and thought-provoking environment, you will engage with ideas that expand horizons, take part in dialogue that matters for today’s Brazil, and build lasting connections with leaders from diverse sectors and regions. Get ready for a journey of learning that brings together reflection, action, and purpose.

  • Keynote Dinners  featuring Fr. Robert Sirico, Co-founder of the Acton Institute
  • Main Stage Presentations featuring distinguished Brazilian and international politicians, academics, and business leaders.
  • Afternoon Seminars on theology, philosophy, political economy, and history
  • Simultaneous Translation (Portuguese ↔ English) for main sessions

Speakers

More to be announced soon!

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 19, 2025
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Registration
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Opening Cocktail
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Plenary Dinner
9:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Cocktail & Networking
Saturday, September 20, 2025
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
Religious Services - Catholic and Protestant
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome & Coffee
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Mainstage Session 1: Anthropology and Natural Law
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Mainstage Session 2: Poverty
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Mainstage Session 3: Threats To Liberty In Brazil
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Coffee Break
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Session 4A: Economics Before Adam Smith - Marcus Rycembel Boeira
Session 4B: Brazilian History and The Case For Liberty - Rafael Nogueira
Session 4C: Who really is John Galt? - Robert A. Sirico
Session 4D: Capitalism and Favelas - Rafael Satiê
Session 4E: Ideology and Religion - Marize Schons
Session 4F: Technology, Abundance, and the Common Good - Dan Churchwell
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Break
4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
Session 5A: Pope Leo and Catholic Social Teaching - Victor Sales Pinheiro
Session 5B: Libertarianism and Christianity - Paulo Ghedini
Session 5C: Faith, Family, and Work - Otto Vontobel
Session 5D: Defending Religious Liberty In Brazil - Jean Regina and Thiago Vieira
Session 5E: The History of Freedom - John Pinheiro
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cocktail
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Closing Dinner
9:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Cocktail & Networking