Kraków
06.07 - 25.07.2026

Tertio Millennio Seminar on the Free Society

The Tertio Millennio Seminar on the Free Society is an international academic program held annually in Kraków for 34 editions now. It gathers students from North America as well as Central and Eastern Europe for an intensive three-week course conducted entirely in English. It focuses mainly on Centissimus Annus encyclical by St. John Paul II.

The seminar focuses on the moral and philosophical foundations of a free society, combining lectures, discussions, and close interaction with leading scholars. It creates a unique space for intercultural dialogue and deep reflection on democracy, economy, and ethics.

How it works

The seminar follows the template of Pope John Paul II’s 1991 encyclical, Centesimus Annus, exploring the three-fold foundations of the “free society”: a democratic polity, a free economy, and a vibrant public moral culture. With John Paul II, the seminar places priority on the moral culture. Drawing on the full tradition of Catholic social doctrine, the seminar addresses the classic themes of the Church’s social doctrine while also considering the challenges of our current circumstances: the moral crisis of global capitalism, secularization and the family, the rise of Islam in Europe, religious freedom, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, bioethics and the “culture of life” etc.

Experience Polish Heritage

In addition to more than two weeks of intense intellectual work, the seminar includes visits to sites that highlight Poland’s distinctive history and culture: Częstochowa, Auschwitz, the old Jewish quarter of Cracow, the shrine of St. Faustina, Wawel Castle and cathedral, and a walking tour of “Karol Wojtyła’s Kraków”. The program also offers an opportunity to partake in prayer and daily mass.

Technicals

Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, there is no tuition or room-and-board charge for the seminar, but participants are expected to assume the costs of their own transportation to and from the seminar. The entire program is conducted in English.

Next Steps

Recruitment

We would like to invite you to the 34rd edition of The Summer Seminar, organized by The Tertio Millennio Institute, The Ethics and Public Policy Center (Washington, DC) Especially we invite students involved in the life of their universities or social, political, or religious communities and organizations.

Taking place between July 6th and July 25th 2026 in Cracow, it is available to students and graduates from North America and Europe. Each year’s seminar group includes 30-36 students.

Classes, given in English, will regard issues revolving around culture, politics, and the economy of the free society, democracy, and capitalism. Lectures reflect on its contemporary history in view of the social teaching of the Church, particularly in reference to John Paul II (Centesimus Annus, 1991).

The school is open to people of all denominations and beliefs.

We support 11 fellowships for Poland and 11 for East-Central Europe, which include tuition fees, lodging, meals, and excursions.

Students will have to cover only the travel expenses to and from Cracow!

The deadline for applications is April 2nd, 2026