In this episode, host Linda Pryor, speaks with four of the five seniors from Brookfield Academy who completed the International Freedom Scholar Certificate this year. 

The International Freedom Scholar Certificate program was started 10 years ago to encourage students to more deeply investigate the principles of the school's Freedom Philosophy. The principles include: 

• A theistic view of life
• Judeo-Christian Ethic
• Freedom of the Individual
• Personal Responsibility 
• Rule of Law
• Property Rights
• Free Markets
• Limited Government
• Love of liberty and knowledge of its history
• Looking to the future to make a difference

Students in the program select a topic related to one or more of these principles and research that topic across a number of different countries. This year's International Freedom Scholars pursued the following topics:

• Freedom to join a workers’ union in Argentina, Ukraine, and China
• Freedom to bear arms in Germany, Japan, Venezuela, and United States
• Freedom for women to obtain a diagnosis for breast and cervical cancer in India, South Africa, Great Britain, and United States
• Freedom for people to access clothing in Jamaica, Denmark, and South Korea

To enter the program students need to meet specific requirements including having taken at least one year or economics, at least three credits of language, and any of a range of electives including things like AP language, arts, and more. Throughout the year, students meet with program advisors, Dr. Manjula Guru, Economics Department Chair and Linda Pryor, Executive Director of BA's Center for Mission & Academics. The group read and discuss articles and books pertaining to the Freedom Philosophy. The students select their topics of interest, conduct research, and present their findings in a final report to Brookfield Academy's Board of Directors and the community. You can view the presentations here.

Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please review, subscribe, and consider mentioning the Mission Moments podcast to a friend. For questions about this podcast please email the host, Linda Pryor, Executive Director of the Center for Mission & Academics at Brookfield Academy, at linda.pryor@brookfieldacademy.org.

To learn more about Brookfield Academy and what the school can offer your child, visit www.brookfieldacademy.org or contact our Admissions Office for a personal tour.