![Kate Forbes: Freedom of Conscience is the foundation stone of Civilisation [ARC 2026] @arc_conference](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vjJB2yFIGEw/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
At ARC 2026, Kate Forbes argued that every generation faces the same choice: to follow conviction or convenience.
Drawing on figures including Theodore Roosevelt, William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Edmund Burke, and the biblical story of Daniel, Forbes reflected on the cost of standing by your principles in modern public life. She shared her own experience of facing criticism over her Christian faith during her leadership campaign, and made the case that conscience, courage, and enduring truth remain essential to a free society.
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Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510
With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.
Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:
"Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Patterson's wonderful 'The Age of Reconstruction' gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom." — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
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Kate Forbes recently served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic. She previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy.
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00:00 The man in the arena
01:24 Conscience vs convenience
02:53 The cost of standing for truth
04:14 Every generation faces its own battle
04:58 Why conscience is disappearing from public life
07:02 Edmund Burke on political conscience
07:36 My leadership campaign and public backlash
09:22 "The prize is never worth the compromise"
10:01 Freedom, faith, and Western civilization
11:24 How the Bible shaped modern Scotland
12:26 Why courage matters more than ever
12:55 Daniel's example for our generation
14:05 Stand for life, justice, and truth
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Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
arc-conference.com/subscribe
Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. arc-conference.com/research-papers
If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: arc-conference.com/donate
If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com
At ARC 2026, Kate Forbes argued that every generation faces the same choice: to follow conviction or convenience.
Drawing on figures including Theodore Roosevelt, William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Edmund Burke, and the biblical story of Daniel, Forbes reflected on the cost of standing by your principles in modern public life. She shared her own experience of facing criticism over her Christian faith during her leadership campaign, and made the case that conscience, courage, and enduring truth remain essential to a free society.
__
Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510
With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.
Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:
"Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Patterson's wonderful 'The Age of Reconstruction' gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom." — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
__
Kate Forbes recently served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic. She previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy.
__
00:00 The man in the arena
01:24 Conscience vs convenience
02:53 The cost of standing for truth
04:14 Every generation faces its own battle
04:58 Why conscience is disappearing from public life
07:02 Edmund Burke on political conscience
07:36 My leadership campaign and public backlash
09:22 "The prize is never worth the compromise"
10:01 Freedom, faith, and Western civilization
11:24 How the Bible shaped modern Scotland
12:26 Why courage matters more than ever
12:55 Daniel's example for our generation
14:05 Stand for life, justice, and truth
__
Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
arc-conference.com/subscribe
Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. arc-conference.com/research-papers
If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: arc-conference.com/donate
If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com
![Kate Forbes: Freedom of Conscience is the foundation stone of Civilisation [ARC 2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vjJB2yFIGEw/mqdefault.jpg "Kate Forbes: Freedom of Conscience is the foundation stone of Civilisation [ARC 2026]
At ARC 2026, Kate Forbes argued that every generation faces the same choice: to follow conviction or convenience.
Drawing on figures including Theodore Roosevelt, William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Edmund Burke, and the biblical story of Daniel, Forbes reflected on the cost of standing by your principles in modern public life. She shared her own experience of facing criticism over her Christian faith during her leadership campaign, and made the case that conscience, courage, and enduring truth remain essential to a free society.
Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510
With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.
Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:
Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Pattersons wonderful The Age of Reconstruction gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom. — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Kate Forbes recently served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic. She previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy.
00:00 The man in the arena
01:24 Conscience vs convenience
02:53 The cost of standing for truth
04:14 Every generation faces its own battle
04:58 Why conscience is disappearing from public life
07:02 Edmund Burke on political conscience
07:36 My leadership campaign and public backlash
09:22 The prize is never worth the compromise
10:01 Freedom, faith, and Western civilization
11:24 How the Bible shaped modern Scotland
12:26 Why courage matters more than ever
12:55 Daniels example for our generation
14:05 Stand for life, justice, and truth
Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
https://www.arc-conference.com/subscribe
Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. https://www.arc-conference.com/research-papers
If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: https://www.arc-conference.com/donate
If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com")
![Why an entire generation no longer knows who they are | Carl Trueman [ARC 2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vuTKuGlNWXU/mqdefault.jpg "Why an entire generation no longer knows who they are | Carl Trueman [ARC 2026]
How did the question Who am I? become one of the defining challenges of the modern age? In this keynote, Carl Trueman traces the historical shift from a world where identity was shaped by family, faith and community to one centred on individual choice and personal feeling. He argues that this transformation lies behind many of the Wests most contentious cultural debates today.
Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510
With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.
Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:
Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Pattersons wonderful The Age of Reconstruction gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom. — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Carl R. Trueman teaches at Grove City College. He is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, DC and the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, University of Notre Dame. He is the author of several books including The Desecration of Man.
00:00 The defining question of our age: What does it mean to be human?
01:27 When identity was fixed by family, faith and place
03:26 The rise of choice and the modern self
05:01 From the psychological self to the sexual self
06:42 Why sex became political
07:20 Free speech, religion and the politics of identity
09:20 Marriage, divorce and the changing family
10:47 The philosophy behind transgenderism
11:18 Understanding the roots of todays cultural moment
Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
https://www.arc-conference.com/subscribe
Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. https://www.arc-conference.com/research-papers
If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: https://www.arc-conference.com/donate
If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com")
![The fatherhood crisis nobody wants to talk about | John Papola [ARC 2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xbmMsdr370Q/mqdefault.jpg "The fatherhood crisis nobody wants to talk about | John Papola [ARC 2026]
Why are so many young people drawn to radical politics? And what role do fathers, families, and faith play in shaping the next generation?
In this keynote from ARC 2026, John Papola argues that todays political radicals are following a historical pattern stretching from the Jacobins to the Bolsheviks. He explores the roots of modern radicalism, the crisis of fatherlessness, and why rebuilding strong families may be the key to renewing Western civilization.
Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510
With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.
Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:
Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Pattersons wonderful The Age of Reconstruction gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom. — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
John Papola is a filmmaker and founder of the Emergent Order Foundation, and host of the YouTube show Dad Saves America. He is best known for the Keynes vs. Hayek Rap Battles, viewed by tens of millions, and for documentaries including At The Fork (Berlin Film Festival) and The Pursuit, starring Arthur Brooks, which premiered on Netflix.
00:00 The timeless story of the young radical
01:42 Are todays activists the new Jacobins?
03:40 The French Revolution versus the American Founding
05:02 The crisis of fatherlessness in the West
07:07 How to raise resilient, grounded children
09:24 Why fathers must become spiritual leaders
10:00 The future depends on strong fathers
Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
https://www.arc-conference.com/subscribe
Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. https://www.arc-conference.com/research-papers
If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: https://www.arc-conference.com/donate
If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com")
![You’ll stop using ChatGPT after listening to this | Jonathan Pageau [ARC 2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yZUuKzDQSsI/mqdefault.jpg "You’ll stop using ChatGPT after listening to this | Jonathan Pageau [ARC 2026]
Jonathan Pageau closed out Day 2 of ARC 2026 with a keynote that left the whole room speechless. Amidst the many voices surrounding the global AI debate, Pageau offered a simple question that stopped us in our tracks: Who does it serve?
Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510
With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.
Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:
Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Pattersons wonderful The Age of Reconstruction gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom. — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Jonathan Pageau is an artist, writer and public speaker. He is a pioneer in the revival of Liturgical Art for the 21st century. Through his podcast, The Symbolic World, and publishing company, Symbolic World Press, he fosters the rediscovery of symbolic thinking and a vision for re-enchantment in the world.
Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
https://www.arc-conference.com/subscribe
Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. https://www.arc-conference.com/research-papers
If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: https://www.arc-conference.com/donate
If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com")
