Akademi Merdeka January 2009 - a reflection

Wan Fadzrul Wan Bahrum
1 February 2009

The second WauBebas.org Freedom Academy took place on 16 - 18 January 2009 at Residence Hotel, Selangor. Thirty three bright and inquisitive minds participated, ranging from fresh high school graduates to student activists. A few 'old' faces - alumni from the first Freedom Academy in August 2008 - were also there. I was one of the old faces.

We were honoured by the presence of some of the most prominent proponents of the global libertarian movement - Professor Julian Morris from the International Policy Network, London; Barun Mitra from Liberty Institute, India; and Feng Xingyuan of the Cathay Institute of Public Affairs, Beijing. Local flavour was provided by none other than Khalid Jaafar of the Policy Studies Institute, Malaysia.

With the world in a financial turmoil, the natural theme of the Academy was globalisation and its impact of developing countries. Students were provided with empirical evidence of how globalisation, free trade and capitalism has brought prosperity to countries around the world.

Students also debated a defense of capitalism against accusations of market failure. And, unlike the first Freedom which generated quite a heated discussion, this time it was more sober, probably because my Marxist friends didn't take part this time. Or perhaps they have been converted.

The Academy ended on a high note with the first reunion lunch for Wau Bebas Club - a club for alumni of Freedom Academies. The reunion allowed graduates of the previous Freedom Academy to socialise with new graduates, creating new friendships.

Panel discussion with Associate Prof Feng Xingyuan, Barun Mitra, and Khalid Jaafar

Khalid Jaafar teaching

Lecture by Professor Julian Morris

Receiving Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) books

Wau Bebas Club reunion lunch

Wau Bebas Club reunion lunch