“This is a great time to be a think tank!” said trade expert Felippa Amanta of Indonesia’s Center for Indonesian Policy Studies at the 2020 Asia Liberty Forum—this year’s first all-online Regional Liberty Forum. Panels on free trade, dealing with the crises created by heightened government intervention, and understanding the critical role of think tanks were all part of discussions held by speakers and participants. Two awards were presented during the two-day event: Malaysia’s Islam & Liberty Network was awarded the prestigious Asia Liberty Award for their faith-based “Muslim Case for a Free Society” project; and Prashant Narang of India’s Centre for Civil Society won the Think Tank Shark Tank competition with “Lawyers for Liberty,” his proposal for a legal aid campaign that will help street vendors fight the system when their livelihoods are threatened by official harassment. Read recaps and watch videos from the event here.

On The Editors, a National Review podcast, Atlas Network's Matt Warner and Rich Lowry, Editor of National Review, discuss the ways economic freedom leads to less poverty, what Jeffrey Sachs gets wrong, and new opportunities for individuals in the developing world to thrive.

AtlasNexus showcases the work of incredible freedom champions who are changing lives around the world by strengthening their communities, empowering individuals, and championing the cause of liberty. New episodes will premiere every Tuesday at 12:00 EST on your favorite channels for podcasts. This week: Melissa Mann and Elena Leontjeva, president of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute talk about the work LFMI is doing to roll back unnecessary government spending during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) was instrumental in advancing legislation to make it easier for rideshare entrepreneurs to compete with the taxi industry. MEI’s research is also at the core of new legislation to empower “super nurses” with more authority, which will relieve some of the stress on the overburdened Canadian healthcare system and result in better services for all.

In a new op-ed in South Africa's Business Day, Atlas Network's Dr. Tom Palmer discusses how the consequences of land expropriation destroy democracy and lead to suffering and hunger. Read Dr. Palmer’s op-ed here.

In Lebanon’s largely dollarized economy, the Lebanese Institute for Market Studies used research and policy engagement to revitalize the currency exchange of the U.S. dollar, effectively removing a 42% levy on all bank deposits in dollars. As a result of their work, millions of Lebanese citizens are able to withdraw currency at market value. 

A new documentary produced by IMANI Center for Policy and Education reveals how the opportunity to start a small business offers a sustainable path out of poverty. The premiere of the 30-minute documentary was accompanied by the launch of an exhibition of photographs depicting different dimensions of poverty and unemployment.