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Areté Academy

Areté (\ærətiː\; Greek: ἀρετή): excellence and moral virtue.

Areté Academy is designed to equip and engage the next generation of leaders to take up positions of influence in law, government, public policy, media, academia, and other culture-shaping institutions. It prepares exceptional students and young professionals across the globe to pursue God’s unique calling in their career, and to deploy their full potential as they grow in servant leadership in positions of public impact. Areté Academy offers a unique combination of biblical worldview at the highest intellectual level applied to the most pressing challenges of our time, character and spiritual formation, and specialized professional development.

During each stage of Areté Academy, participants (‘Delegates’) examine the foundations of true freedom and justice and explore solutions to many of the most pressing concerns of our current culture. Under the teaching of distinguished faculty from across their region and the world, Delegates gain unique perspectives on addressing these issues on a national, regional, and global scale. With a commitment to excellence, Areté Academy has equipped hundreds of selected individuals around the globe to become leaders in their career fields and prepare for long-term impact. Areté Delegates are involved precedent-setting cases and matters around the world, serving the common good and defending freedom in their spheres of influence.

About

Areté Academy comprises a 4-month online curriculum leading to participation in the 5-day Academy, culminating in the commissioning of permanent Areté Delegates into the ongoing global Areté Community and wider ADF International network. 

Online Journey 
Selected Applicants are called Areté Delegates and commence their training online together as a class in each region. Currently, Areté Academy is offered in Europe, Latin America and the Commonwealth with a yearly class. They receive substantive, foundational training with expert faculty in a bi-weekly rhythm over four months. The online Journey challenges Delegates to think deeply, expand their perspective, hone their communication skills, and build relationships with their fellow participants.   

Academy 
Following the online training, the full class will come together for a 5-day in-person training. Delegates will learn from and engage with world-class faculty, and explore real solutions to the pressing legal, political, and cultural issues of our time. Delegates live, learn, laugh, and pray together, and examine what it means to faithfully live a vocation of public leadership ‘for such a time as this.’  

Community 
Areté Academy is a beginning, not the end. Building life-long relationships and connections is a central component of Areté Academy. From the start, each Delegate goes through the Journey and the Academy as a part of a small team led by designated Mentors. Mentors are instrumental to foster connection and support as Delegates grow together in the pursuit of their individual and collective callings.

Following the Academy, successful Delegates will join the Areté Community: a global professional network of Christians who passionately engage at the highest levels of law, governance, and culture-shaping institutions. They are also part of the wider ADF International network of lawyers, experts, and senior individuals serving in strategic positions of impact. Together, they are empowered to pursue the competence and character needed to excel in their professions, the conviction necessary to effectively engage the culture, and a community that enriches and fuels that pursuit in the long run.

ADF International offers Delegates essential resources to impact culture and remain firm in their Christian commitment through ongoing professional development, training, reunions, access, and fellowship.   

Spiritual

Each day at Areté Academy is founded upon worship, reflection, and devotionals – placing Christ first in position and in priority. Without Christ we can do nothing, and Areté Academy helps the leaders of tomorrow to form deep conviction and commitment to speaking the truth in love in positions of influence.

Intellectual

Faith and intellect go hand in hand. Areté Academy gives Delegates the opportunity to study under some of the most distinguished Christian academics and experts in their fields, and wrestle with some of the most challenging questions facing society today. 

Relational

More than simply a point-in-time experience, Areté Academy is an ongoing, thoughtful community that grows throughout the professional lives of its members. Delegates depart with real intellectual and personal resources – knowing they have community support as they face and overcome future challenges.

Attend

Areté Academy is tailored geographically and professionally. Applicants can have any academic background, it is not limited to law. They should apply for the programme in the region in which they live, or in which they intend to engage professionally long-term. Full attendance online and at the Academy is required. Lodging, meals, and programme costs of Areté Academy are covered by ADF International.

Areté Academy Latin America

Academy: 26 – 31 January 2025,
San José, Costa Rica

Online Journey: October 2024 – January 2025 (every 2 weeks – Tuesday evenings).

Application is Closed
 
Areté Academy Europe

Academy: 30 March – 4 April 2025,
Vienna, Austria

Online Journey: November 2024 – March 2025 (every 2 weeks – Monday evenings).

Apply Now
Application deadline 15 August 2024
Areté Academy Asia

Academy: 4 – 9 August 2024,
Bali, Indonesia

Online Journey: April – July 2024
(every 2 weeks – Thursday evenings).

Application is Closed
Areté Academy Latin America

Academy: 1 – 6 February 2026,
Location: TBD

Online Journey: October 2025 – January 2026 

(every 2 weeks – Tuesday evenings). 

Apply Now
Areté Academy Europe

Academy: 30 March – 4 April 2025,
Vienna, Austria

Online Journey: November 2024 – March 2025 

(every 2 weeks – Monday evenings).

Application is Closed
 
Areté Academy Commonwealth

Academy: August 31 – September 5 2025,
London, United Kingdom

Online Journey: May – August 2025


(8 online sessions, starting in May).

Application is Closed
 

FAQs

Areté is ancient Greek, denoting moral excellence and virtue, specifically living up to your full potential and God-given calling. The apostle Paul exhorts those who follow Christ to set their minds on areté or ’excellence’ (Philippians 4:8).

A delegate is one designated to act for or represent someone else. Areté Academy attendees are known as ‘Delegates’ because as Christians, we are commissioned to serve as Christ’s delegates in this world. Areté Academy Delegates are reminded by this designation that they are representatives of Christ within their callings as outstanding professionals. 

Criteria for selection are based upon academic achievement, intellectual and spiritual maturity, professional leadership potential, and demonstrated Christian commitment. 

Areté Academy is designed for young professionals (including PhD candidates and post-doc) within the first few years of their career experience, and open to university students who have completed at least two years in their course of study prior to participation. If you have questions regarding eligibility, please contact us. Candidates are encouraged to apply only for the programme in the region in which they intend to be living and working long-term.

Yes. All application items must be uploaded to your online application account by midnight on the deadline date (in the time zone in which the programme will take place). It is your responsibility to remind recommenders of the deadline date for their letters of recommendation. 

Yes. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Please make sure any unofficial transcripts include the full list of your completed university courses and grades obtained in each course. 

You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of your recommenders in the Letters of Recommendation section of the online application. An email will automatically be sent to the recommenders with an online recommendation form. After the recommender submits the form online, it will be sent directly to the Areté Academy selection committee. 

If you wish to send the request for recommendation directly to the recommenders yourself (rather than utilize the automated process) you may instead request a copy of the recommendation form be provided to you by email, and it is then your responsibility to transmit that document to your recommenders. After they complete the recommendation, they (or you) can return the completed form to the Areté Academy staff at [email protected].  

Applicants will be notified by email approximately six (6) weeks after the application deadline. Applicants who are accepted will then have approximately one week to accept the offer by providing additional information online. 

ADF International covers lodging, educational materials, and meals for each Areté Delegate during the Academy. Delegates are responsible for travel costs as well as any personal expenses incurred while attending Areté Academy.