A new libertarian think tank devoted to research on free enterprise and economic development is being created in Hermosillo in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora.

     The founder, Edgar Piña Ortiz, was host of the 21st ISIL World Conference, held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this year.

     Piña is also president of the Foro Libre, A.C. organization, but the new foundation Instituto de Libre Empresa y Desarrollo, A.C., (ILEDAC) is intended to be more active in public-policy work and will focus especially on promoting free-market policies and regional development – as they impact the state of Sonora.

     The organization will split its functions into three areas: Research projects, education and social communications. Piña describes the objectives of the new foundation as fostering research, education, and outreach on the principles of individual liberty, the free market economy, private property, limited government, and the advancement of human rights.

     Support for the organization will come from a prestigious center for developmental research that operates at a regional level in north Mexico – but additional assistance will undoubtedly be needed for specific projects.

     Announcements regarding specific programs will be made in future issues of the Freedom Network News, and members interested in supporting a specific project may make tax-deductible contributions through ISIL.

Conferences and Seminars

     A series of seminars and conferences are planned, utilizing some of the speakers who gave presentations at the ISIL conference in Puerto Vallarta. Hermosillo, capital city of the state of Sonora, is an important center for high-level education. Piña has already established important liaisons with academics in this area, so the opportunities for important dialogue with both the academic community and regional government is high.

The Importance of Sonora State

     The state of Sonora forms part of the other five Mexican states that border on the USA. This vast and heterogeneous region has good prospects for a high level of development with respect to the rest of the Mexican Republic. Piña claims that bringing market reforms to this area would do much to stem the exodus of Mexicans emigrating to the US to seek opportunity in freer climes.

     This borderland zone may be considered an important cushion zone if it were to be converted into a dynamic economy under a model of free-market public policies and powerful private investments.

     For further information on this interesting libertarian enterprise, contact Edgar Piña at Foro Libre: foliac@forolibre.net

_____________________

New Expanded Edition of "Healing Our World"

     ISIL Director Mary Ruwart's acclaimed book Healing Our World has undergone extensive revisions and includes much exciting new material.

     The new edition, entitled Healing Our World In an Age of Aggression features a special foreword by libertarian Nobel Peace Prize nominees Frances Kendall and Leon Louw.

     Some of the new additions to this already-famous book include:

• The shocking link between the 9-11 terrorist attacks and Pearl Harbor
• Compelling evidence that at least 80% of new drug costs are due to excess FDA regulation
• Data explaining why the distribution of wealth is more equal in countries with a history of liberty
• How property rights are rescuing the rainforests and the Third World poor (even the World Bank agrees!)
• How one industrialized nation lowers its crime rates through restitution
• How "right to carry" laws decrease violent crime 30-80%

     And much, much, more!

The book has just gone to press, but you can save $5.00 off of the regular list price of $24.95 by ordering now at the special pre-publication price of $19.95 + $4.00 s & h. Click here to order.