Aristotle's account of friendship (philia) and Aquinas's Christianisation of it provide resources for thinking about the bonds beyond family; friendship, civic life, and the Church as fellowship. Charity (caritas) is, for Aquinas, a kind of friendship with God. This session asks what genuine community requires, and what distinguishes authentic bonds from their pale imitations.

Reading: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics VIII.1–6; Aquinas, Summa Theologiae IIa-IIae Q.23; Paul VI, Populorum Progressio §§17–21

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

The family is not merely a social unit but a theological reality; the primordial community in which persons are formed and love is learned. This session examines the Church's account of marriage and family as a school of the virtues, and honestly addresses the wounds that distort family life and the tradition's account of healing, mercy, and accompaniment.

Reading: Familiaris Consortio §§11–17, 42–48; CCC §§2201–2213; Amoris Laetitia §§57–88

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

The person is not a soul that happens to inhabit a body but a bodily being whose flesh is constitutive of who they are. This session explores what it means theologically that God became incarnate, and what the Incarnation reveals about the dignity of the body. It also addresses human vulnerability and dependence as positive features of creaturely existence rather than defects to be overcome, drawing on MacIntyre's account of our ‘animality’ and the phenomenology of the lived body

Reading: CCC §§362–368 (the body as constitutive of the person); John 1:1–14 (the Prologue); John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris §§3–5 (the person as body); Jean Vanier, Becoming Human ch. 1–2; MacIntyre, Dependent Rational Animals ch. 6–7

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

Against any purely individualist anthropology, the Catholic tradition insists that the person is constituted in relation. In relation to God, to others, and to creation. This session draws on Trinitarian theology as the ground of human sociality: we are made in the image of a God who is himself a communion of persons. What follows for how we understand human loneliness, community, and love?

Reading: CCC §§1878–1885; John Paul II, Mulieris Dignitatem §7; Martin Buber, I and Thou Part I

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

Human freedom is real but not unlimited, and the doctrine of Original Sin explains why our freedom is structurally damaged. Drawing on Augustine and Aquinas, this session explores the will's orientation toward the good and its tendency toward disordered loves. The session asks: what does it mean to be free, and how does grace restore what sin has broken?

Reading: Augustine, Confessions I.1 and VIII.5–12; CCC §§385–421; Alasdair MacIntyre, Dependent Rational Animals ch. 1–2

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

What does it mean to be made in God's image? The tradition identifies intellect, will, and the capacity for relationship with God as constitutive of the imago. This session explores the philosophical significance of this claim and why human dignity cannot be grounded in capacity or achievement alone; a point with urgent implications for debates about disability, early life, and dementia.

Reading: CCC §§1700–1715; John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor §§38–53; Robert Spaemann, Persons: The Difference Between 'Someone' and 'Something' (Introduction and ch. 1)

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

The Catholic tradition holds that the human person is a substantial unity of body and soul — neither a ghost in a machine (Cartesian dualism) nor a sophisticated animal (reductive materialism). This session introduces Thomistic hylomorphism as the tradition's answer: what it means, why it was developed, and why it matters for how we treat bodies and persons.

Reading: Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae Ia, Q.75–76 (selections); CCC §§362–368; Feser, Aquinas ch. 4 (excerpts)

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

What is a human being, and why does the answer matter? This opening session poses the question freshly and introduces the distinctively Christian claim that the person is made in the imago Dei, showing why this is philosophically load-bearing, not merely pious decoration. We survey the landscape of competing answers and establish what is at stake in Christian anthropology.

Reading: Genesis 1–2; CCC §§355–384; Gaudium et Spes §§12–22

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.

In this episode, Christiaan Alting von Geusau speaks with his special guest Joe Grogan, former Director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House during the first Trump administration, also having served in the G.W. Bush administration before that.

We discuss the background and genesis of the National Security Strategy that was published by the White House in December 2025, and the consequences this document and the resulting policies have for international affairs. We also discuss in-depth the new focus of the US administration on the Western Hemisphere - where currently the conflict with Venezuela is heating up -  and the challenges in the relationship of the US with Europe. Special attention is also given to the Ukraine war and the problematic role of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The video of Otto von Habsburg warning for Putin in 2003 (in the podcast we speak erroneously of 2006/2008): https://youtu.be/P1lj6QsqDhU?si=45MkcGFI6YtrJeA7

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences.  Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences.  Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences.  Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences.  Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences.  Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences.  Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

3. Pope Francis: Laudato Si: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

4. Pope Benedict XVI: The Listening Heart - Reflections on the Foundations of Law: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2011/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20110922_reichstag-berlin.html

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

See for our series on Politics & Conscience: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1546282/episodes/14084899-politics-conscience-how-to-navigate-the-modern-challenges-of-public-office-1 (one of 7 episodes on this channel)

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

See for our previous series on Education and the Role of the State: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1546282/episodes/14996548-the-purpose-of-education-and-the-role-of-the-state-what-is-education-to-awaken (the first of a series of episodes on this channel)

See also the video series 'Education at the Crossroads' : https://youtu.be/8FrAcgHBlfY?si=PRMLwDGDmepI2z7U

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

3. Pope Francis: Amoris Laetitia: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html

4. Pope Saint John Paul II: Familiaris Consortio: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

Basic Principles of Catholic Social Doctrine: Human freedom.

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

“We can't choose to vanish the dark, but we can choose to kindle the light – (..) Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

-              The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

This series will discuss definitions, concrete examples of this deterioration, the main human rights instruments they violate, and explore what measures can be taken to turn the tide.

            Introduction:
1.     The main human rights instruments

Definitions and violations:
2.     Freedom of Conscience
3.     Freedom of Religion
4.     Freedom of Speech

Defending freedom of conscience, religion and speech:
5.     Successful legal cases
6.     Successful policy initiatives

The podcast episodes are hosted by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U.  He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of human rights and fundamental freedoms. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series will discuss definitions, concrete examples of this deterioration, the main human rights instruments they violate, and explore what measures can be taken to turn the tide.

            Introduction:
1.     The main human rights instruments

Definitions and violations:
2.     Freedom of Conscience
3.     Freedom of Religion
4.     Freedom of Speech

Defending freedom of conscience, religion and speech:
5.     Successful legal cases
6.     Successful policy initiatives

The podcast episodes are hosted by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U.  He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of human rights and fundamental freedoms. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series will discuss definitions, concrete examples of this deterioration, the main human rights instruments they violate, and explore what measures can be taken to turn the tide.

            Introduction:
1.     The main human rights instruments

Definitions and violations:
2.     Freedom of Conscience
3.     Freedom of Religion
4.     Freedom of Speech

Defending freedom of conscience, religion and speech:
5.     Successful legal cases
6.     Successful policy initiatives

The podcast episodes are hosted by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U.  He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of human rights and fundamental freedoms. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series will discuss definitions, concrete examples of this deterioration, the main human rights instruments they violate, and explore what measures can be taken to turn the tide.

            Introduction:
1.     The main human rights instruments

Definitions and violations:
2.     Freedom of Conscience
3.     Freedom of Religion
4.     Freedom of Speech

Defending freedom of conscience, religion and speech:
5.     Successful legal cases
6.     Successful policy initiatives

The podcast episodes are hosted by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U.  He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of human rights and fundamental freedoms. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series will discuss definitions, concrete examples of this deterioration, the main human rights instruments they violate, and explore what measures can be taken to turn the tide.

            Introduction:
1.     The main human rights instruments

Definitions and violations:
2.     Freedom of Conscience
3.     Freedom of Religion
4.     Freedom of Speech

Defending freedom of conscience, religion and speech:
5.     Successful legal cases
6.     Successful policy initiatives

The podcast episodes are hosted by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U.  He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of human rights and fundamental freedoms. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

This series will discuss definitions, concrete examples of this deterioration, the main human rights instruments they violate, and explore what measures can be taken to turn the tide.

 Introduction:
1.     The main human rights instruments
Definitions and violations:
2.     Freedom of Conscience
3.     Freedom of Religion
4.     Freedom of Speech
Defending freedom of conscience, religion and speech:
5.     Successful legal cases
6.     Successful policy initiatives

The podcast episodes are hosted by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U.  He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of human rights and fundamental freedoms. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

1.     What is Education: to awaken.

2.     What is Education: to think.

3.     What is Education: to grow.

4.     The Role of Religion

5.     Public or private education?

6.     The Proper Role of the State

1.     What is Education: to awaken.

2.     What is Education: to think.

3.     What is Education: to grow.

4.     The Role of Religion

5.     Public or private education?

6.     The Proper Role of the State

1.     What is Education: to awaken.

2.     What is Education: to think.

3.     What is Education: to grow.

4.     The Role of Religion

5.     Public or private education?

6.     The Proper Role of the State

1.     What is Education: to awaken.

2.     What is Education: to think.

3.     What is Education: to grow.

4.     The Role of Religion

5.     Public or private education?

6.     The Proper Role of the State

1.     What is Education: to awaken.

2.     What is Education: to think.

3.     What is Education: to grow.

4.     The Role of Religion

5.     Public or private education?

6.     The Proper Role of the State

1.     What is Education: to awaken.

2.     What is Education: to think.

3.     What is Education: to grow.

4.     The Role of Religion

5.     Public or private education?

6.     The Proper Role of the State

The year 2020 will certainly go into history as the year of unprecedented global disruption in which much that was simply unimaginable, or at least far off, only one year before suddenly became acute reality. Processes in almost all areas of life that were developing only slowly before the global crisis, radically changed overnight and presented us with massive new challenges. The world of 2021 is a very different world from the one of 2019.

One of these radical changes is the direction education has taken, seemingly suddenly. For years, there have been debates about the pros and cons of the ‘digitization of education’. Countless projects have introduced more digital content and the use of more electronic devices into educational institutions. Then came 2020 and within a period of mere days schools and universities around the globe had to completely shift their teaching, tutoring and mentoring online. This development is however only part of a much longer term evolving of education. Already for decades, one can observe in most societies that the transmission of (technical) skills has increasingly taken precedence over the growth in knowledge and wisdom, and that a focus on testing and grading has taken over from individual assessments and the formation of characters. It often seems that education has become, especially in capitalistic societies where the state sets the policies, a useful tool to create the next generation of consumers and producers, rather than young men and women who know what it means to be human and act accordingly; from that position setting forth to contribute to society. Human dignity is competing herev with technical absolutism.

This lecture and interview series will look at these challenges and formulate answers through conversations with educators – and not theorists on education – from around the world.

The host

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau is a passionate educator at heart and by vocation.  He is a Professor of Philosophy of Law and Christian Education at ITI Catholic University in Austria, of which he is also the President and Rector. Christiaan is the founder and director of the Catholic Liberal Arts secondary school “Schola Thomas Morus” near Vienna. Dr. Geusau furthermore leads the International Catholic Legislators Network, an organization created to provide faith formation, education and fellowship to Christian leaders in public office. Apart from teaching at the ITI, he teaches courses for political leaders both worldwide and online. During his tenure at the ITI, he designed and implemented six new programs of study, amongst them a now very successful Liberal Arts B.A. program, attracting students from around the globe. One of his various publications “Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Reality, and Revival” calls for the Catholic laity to seize again the initiative in education. 

The guest
Dr. Bernhard Dolna, Vice-Rector and Dean of ITI Catholic University

The year 2020 will certainly go into history as the year of unprecedented global disruption in which much that was simply unimaginable, or at least far off, only one year before suddenly became acute reality. Processes in almost all areas of life that were developing only slowly before the global crisis, radically changed overnight and presented us with massive new challenges. The world of 2021 is a very different world from the one of 2019.

One of these radical changes is the direction education has taken, seemingly suddenly. For years, there have been debates about the pros and cons of the ‘digitization of education’. Countless projects have introduced more digital content and the use of more electronic devices into educational institutions. Then came 2020 and within a period of mere days schools and universities around the globe had to completely shift their teaching, tutoring and mentoring online. This development is however only part of a much longer term evolving of education. Already for decades, one can observe in most societies that the transmission of (technical) skills has increasingly taken precedence over the growth in knowledge and wisdom, and that a focus on testing and grading has taken over from individual assessments and the formation of characters. It often seems that education has become, especially in capitalistic societies where the state sets the policies, a useful tool to create the next generation of consumers and producers, rather than young men and women who know what it means to be human and act accordingly; from that position setting forth to contribute to society. Human dignity is competing herev with technical absolutism.

This lecture and interview series will look at these challenges and formulate answers through conversations with educators – and not theorists on education – from around the world.

The host

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau is a passionate educator at heart and by vocation.  He is a Professor of Philosophy of Law and Christian Education at ITI Catholic University in Austria, of which he is also the President and Rector. Christiaan is the founder and director of the Catholic Liberal Arts secondary school “Schola Thomas Morus” near Vienna. Dr. Geusau furthermore leads the International Catholic Legislators Network, an organization created to provide faith formation, education and fellowship to Christian leaders in public office. Apart from teaching at the ITI, he teaches courses for political leaders both worldwide and online. During his tenure at the ITI, he designed and implemented six new programs of study, amongst them a now very successful Liberal Arts B.A. program, attracting students from around the globe. One of his various publications “Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Reality, and Revival” calls for the Catholic laity to seize again the initiative in education. 

The guest
9 April 2021: Walter J. Thompson, Dean of St. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

The year 2020 will certainly go into history as the year of unprecedented global disruption in which much that was simply unimaginable, or at least far off, only one year before suddenly became acute reality. Processes in almost all areas of life that were developing only slowly before the global crisis, radically changed overnight and presented us with massive new challenges. The world of 2021 is a very different world from the one of 2019.

One of these radical changes is the direction education has taken, seemingly suddenly. For years, there have been debates about the pros and cons of the ‘digitization of education’. Countless projects have introduced more digital content and the use of more electronic devices into educational institutions. Then came 2020 and within a period of mere days schools and universities around the globe had to completely shift their teaching, tutoring and mentoring online. This development is however only part of a much longer term evolving of education. Already for decades, one can observe in most societies that the transmission of (technical) skills has increasingly taken precedence over the growth in knowledge and wisdom, and that a focus on testing and grading has taken over from individual assessments and the formation of characters. It often seems that education has become, especially in capitalistic societies where the state sets the policies, a useful tool to create the next generation of consumers and producers, rather than young men and women who know what it means to be human and act accordingly; from that position setting forth to contribute to society. Human dignity is competing herev with technical absolutism.

This lecture and interview series will look at these challenges and formulate answers through conversations with educators – and not theorists on education – from around the world.

The host

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau is a passionate educator at heart and by vocation.  He is a Professor of Philosophy of Law and Christian Education at ITI Catholic University in Austria, of which he is also the President and Rector. Christiaan is the founder and director of the Catholic Liberal Arts secondary school “Schola Thomas Morus” near Vienna. Dr. Geusau furthermore leads the International Catholic Legislators Network, an organization created to provide faith formation, education and fellowship to Christian leaders in public office. Apart from teaching at the ITI, he teaches courses for political leaders both worldwide and online. During his tenure at the ITI, he designed and implemented six new programs of study, amongst them a now very successful Liberal Arts B.A. program, attracting students from around the globe. One of his various publications “Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Reality, and Revival” calls for the Catholic laity to seize again the initiative in education. 

The guest
4 March 2021: Deacon Brad Watkins and Dr. Jake Noland

The year 2020 will certainly go into history as the year of unprecedented global disruption in which much that was simply unimaginable, or at least far off, only one year before suddenly became acute reality. Processes in almost all areas of life that were developing only slowly before the global crisis, radically changed overnight and presented us with massive new challenges. The world of 2021 is a very different world from the one of 2019.

One of these radical changes is the direction education has taken, seemingly suddenly. For years, there have been debates about the pros and cons of the ‘digitization of education’. Countless projects have introduced more digital content and the use of more electronic devices into educational institutions. Then came 2020 and within a period of mere days schools and universities around the globe had to completely shift their teaching, tutoring and mentoring online. This development is however only part of a much longer term evolving of education. Already for decades, one can observe in most societies that the transmission of (technical) skills has increasingly taken precedence over the growth in knowledge and wisdom, and that a focus on testing and grading has taken over from individual assessments and the formation of characters. It often seems that education has become, especially in capitalistic societies where the state sets the policies, a useful tool to create the next generation of consumers and producers, rather than young men and women who know what it means to be human and act accordingly; from that position setting forth to contribute to society. Human dignity is competing herev with technical absolutism.

This lecture and interview series will look at these challenges and formulate answers through conversations with educators – and not theorists on education – from around the world.

The host

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau is a passionate educator at heart and by vocation.  He is a Professor of Philosophy of Law and Christian Education at ITI Catholic University in Austria, of which he is also the President and Rector. Christiaan is the founder and director of the Catholic Liberal Arts secondary school “Schola Thomas Morus” near Vienna. Dr. Geusau furthermore leads the International Catholic Legislators Network, an organization created to provide faith formation, education and fellowship to Christian leaders in public office. Apart from teaching at the ITI, he teaches courses for political leaders both worldwide and online. During his tenure at the ITI, he designed and implemented six new programs of study, amongst them a now very successful Liberal Arts B.A. program, attracting students from around the globe. One of his various publications “Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Reality, and Revival” calls for the Catholic laity to seize again the initiative in education. 

The guest
28 January 2021: Dr. Bernhard Dolna, Professor and Dean of Studies at the International Theological Institute.

This is session 2 of an 8-session course.

Instructor:
Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career he has participated in and himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also receiving certified training in diplomatic negotiation and mediation. Von Geusau leads the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN), which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with (faith) formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. He works extensively with (senior) political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

 Course outline:

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN),which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here

The year 2020 will certainly go into history as the year of unprecedented global disruption in which much that was simply unimaginable, or at least far off, only one year before suddenly became acute reality. Processes in almost all areas of life that were developing only slowly before the global crisis, radically changed overnight and presented us with massive new challenges. The world of 2020 is a very different world from the one of 2019.

One of these radical changes is the direction education has taken, seemingly suddenly. For years, there have been debates about the pros and cons of the ‘digitization of education’. Countless projects have introduced more digital content and the use of more electronic devices into educational institutions. Then came 2020 and within a period of mere days schools and universities around the globe had to completely shift their teaching, tutoring and mentoring online. This development is however only part of a much longer term evolving of education. Already for decades, one can observe in most societies that the transmission of (technical) skills has increasingly taken precedence over the growth in knowledge and wisdom, and that a focus on testing and grading has taken over from individual assessments and the formation of characters. It often seems that education has become, especially in capitalistic societies where the state sets the policies, a useful tool to create the next generation of consumers and producers, rather than young men and women who know what it means to be human and act accordingly; from that position setting forth to contribute to society. Human dignity is competing herev with technical absolutism.

This lecture and interview series will look at these challenges and formulate answers through conversations with educators – and not theorists on education – from around the world.

The host

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau is a passionate educator at heart and by vocation.  He is a Professor of Philosophy of Law and Christian Education at ITI Catholic University in Austria, of which he is also the President and Rector. Christiaan is the founder and director of the Catholic Liberal Arts secondary school “Schola Thomas Morus” near Vienna. Dr. Geusau furthermore leads the International Catholic Legislators Network, an organization created to provide faith formation, education and fellowship to Christian leaders in public office. Apart from teaching at the ITI, he teaches courses for political leaders both worldwide and online. During his tenure at the ITI, he designed and implemented six new programs of study, amongst them a now very successful Liberal Arts B.A. program, attracting students from around the globe. One of his various publications “Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Reality, and Revival” calls for the Catholic laity to seize again the initiative in education. 

The guest

17 December 2020:  Robert L.  Luddy, President and CEO of CaptiveAire and serial school founder

 Course outline:

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN),which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here

 Course outline:

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN),which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Course outline:

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN),which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

 Course outline:

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN),which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

 Course outline:

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN), which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Part I – St. Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of the British Realm 1529 - 1532
Session 1: Humility
Session 2: Righteousness

Part II - Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations 1953-1961
Session 3: Pure in heart
Session 4: Peacemaker

Part III - St. John Paul II, Roman Pontiff and Vatican City Head of State 1978-2005
Session 5: Courage under persecution and suffering
Session 6: Merciful

Conclusion
Session 7: The meek shall inherit the earth

Instructor:

Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.M holds law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and the University of Heidelberg (Germany) whilst also having studied law, philosophy and theology courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and at the Ecole Saint-Jean in Saint Jodard (France). He obtained with distinction his doctorate in philosophy of law from the University of Vienna (Austria). He practiced law at international law firms Houthoff and AKD in Amsterdam and Brussels from 1997 until 2004 where he advised and represented governments, public institutions and multinational firms on issues of civil and international law and conflict resolution. He currently serves as President and Rector of ITI Catholic University near Vienna, Austria where he is also a Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Geusau has participated in and has himself taught leadership seminars and courses internationally whilst also completing certified training in diplomatic negotiation at Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and mediation at the Netherlands’ Mediation Institute. Von Geusau presides over the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN),which he founded in 2010 to provide political and church leaders with intellectual and faith formation, fellowship and networking opportunities. Dr. Geusau works extensively with political and church leaders throughout the world, helping them realize their mission with integrity. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.