ADF International

Three years ago, I attended Areté Academy as a delegate convinced that Europe’s deepest crisis was not merely political or economic, but anthropological: a growing uncertainty about what the human person is, what freedom is for, and whether truth and transcendence still have a place in public life. Returning these past two years as a mentor with ADF International, that conviction has only deepened, but so has my hope. Coming back for a second year as a mentor has been especially meaningful because it has allowed me to see the continuity of what Areté is building. Not simply an academic programme, but a community of people seriously committed to thinking, living, and serving differently. What makes Areté remarkable is not simply the intellectual level of the delegates, though it is extraordinarily high. It is the atmosphere of seriousness, friendship, and genuine openness to the great questions. In a cultural moment often dominated by irony, fragmentation, and superficiality, there is something profoundly countercultural about young people spending days discussing human dignity, freedom, responsibility, faith, law, and the future of Europe with honesty and depth. This year, perhaps even more than before, I was struck by the importance of forming communities capable not only of analysing cultural crises, but of living meaningful alternatives to them. Renewal does not begin abstractly. It begins in people, friendships, institutions, and traditions capable of transmitting a vision of the human person worth living for. I am deeply grateful to ADF International and the entire Areté Academy team for the trust of inviting me back once again as a mentor. Thank you to Kirsten G., Sophia Kuby, Gracie Edwards and Paul Coleman. It was a privilege to accompany such thoughtful and committed delegates, and to learn from the other mentors and speakers throughout the week. Experiences like this remind me that hope for Europe will not come primarily from technocratic solutions, but from people formed intellectually, morally, and spiritually, people capable of uniting conviction with generosity, and faith with public responsibility. Thank you again to everyone who made this edition possible!! If you’re looking for a transformative experience and want to be part of a vibrant network of people passionate about making a difference, I can’t recommend Areté Academy enough! Applications for the next edition are open-feel free to reach out if you’d like to hear more about my experience! 🔎 https://lnkd.in/e5ccEN_V

The last two months have been intense… - Winter School “Utopia & Distopia” at IEP | Universidade Católica Portuguesa - First article in a International Magazine, which I sincerely invite everyone to read! - Seminar on EU policies at 🇧🇪 with Parlamento Europeu em Portugal/IEP | Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Areté Academy by ADF International in 🇸🇰

Yesterday, ADF International submitted public inputs to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, a United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body, to inform drafting of its forthcoming General Recommendation No. 41 on 'Dismantling Gender Stereotypes and the unequal power relations that sustain them.' Inter alia, we encouraged the Committee to ensure that GR No. 41 remains firmly grounded in the text, object, and purpose of the CEDAW in order to sustain the legitimacy, acceptance, and impact of its work for States Parties, as well as to preserve the Convention's character as an instrument operating within the broader system of international human rights law. You can read ADFI's submission here: https://lnkd.in/eeDM3xfq.

Last week, our Clinic welcomed Kelsey Zorzi, senior counsel and director of advocacy for global religious freedom at ADF International. Zorzi spoke about her global docket and the role of human rights advocates in shaping religious freedom protections worldwide. Drawing on cases across the world, Zorzi explored how governments increasingly invoke narrow limitations within international law to justify restrictions on religious exercise. From cases challenging blasphemy laws in Nigeria to those challenging church closures in Algeria, national security designations in Turkey, and speech prosecutions in Finland, she highlighted how these cases will shape the future of religious freedom for millions. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gYNwPjww