By Illinois Review
On Thursday, Judson University’s World Leaders Forum welcomes former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to its Chicagoland campus for its annual WLF event which raises funds for student scholarships.
Harper, the founder of the modern-day conservative movement in Canada, served as prime minister from 2006-2015 – the longest of any conservative PM leader since 1891.
A strong advocate for free trade and open markets, Prime Minister Harper led a government that focused on simple growth-oriented economic policies and results-driven social policy. Under his leadership, Canada reduced federal taxes to their lowest level in 50 years, created 1.3 million new jobs, balanced the budget while making critical investments in healthcare and infrastructure, attracted new investment and fostered innovation.
During his time as PM, Harper was a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive and expansionist foreign policy, particularly Russia’s invasion and ongoing occupation of parts of Ukraine. He openly expressed concern about the erosion of transparency in Russia, the consolidation of political power, and the suppression of dissidents. Prime Minister Harper led the global call for sanctions against Russia, and was the first to call for Putin’s expulsion from the G-8.
Judson – a well connected university, hosts the WLF each year to raise money for Roeser student scholarships and Judson’s RISE Program – which is a unique program designed for students with intellectual disabilities. Less than one percent of colleges and universities around the country offer a program similar to RISE.
Over the last decade, the WLF has hosted leaders including former U.S. President George W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, former Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Queen Noor of Jordan, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and retired U.S. Army General David Petraeus.
To purchase a ticket for the event, please visit HERE.
