[citation needed] These young people called for re¬democratization as part of a broader argument in favor of economic open¬ness, the establishment of strong and adequate institutions, and a freer and more prosperous society.
After many meetings to define how the institute would be organized, IEE’s founders concluded that the focus should be on the training and education of their own members, turning into an Academy, thereby creating leaders who would be intellectually prepared with broad social knowledge and strong ethical values to make a positive impact on society.
[citation needed] The main goals of the institute are to analyze problems and issues facing society; discuss alternatives and suggestions to solve them; encourage the emergence and preparation of business leaders who are committed to advocating and preserving the market economy and free-enterprise values; foster the training of its members within the principles of good ethics; and to promote the relationship of its members with the cultural and economic segments of society.
[citation needed] The meetings are held every Monday night, when important entrepreneurs, politicians, economists, sociologists, philosophers, and historians are invited to address the members of the institute.
It is an important venue for debates held every year since 1988 and currently gathers around 6,000 people in two days to discuss subjects such as individual freedoms, property rights, respect for contracts, limitations of power, the institutional environment, and so on.