National Endowment for Democracy

Since its founding in 41 years ago, the National Endowment for Democracy has advanced President Ronald Reagan's vision, as stated in his Westminster Address: “We must be staunch in our conviction that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a lucky few, but the inalienable and universal right of all human beings. The objective I propose is quite simple to state: to foster the infrastructure of democracy–the system of a free press, unions, political parties, universities–which allows a people to choose their own way, to develop their own culture, to reconcile their own differences through peaceful means.”  https://lnkd.in/eQ7x_znz

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization on November 18, 1983. NED remains committed to our founding principles and our mission to advance freedom and democracy around the world. https://lnkd.in/eSR7FHiR

NED congratulates Joanna Hosaniak, Deputy Director General of 북한인권시민연합 Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR), for receiving the prestigious Knights Cross of the Order of Merit from Polish President Andrzej Duda. Hosaniak and her team were instrumental in leading international advocacy efforts to establish the pivotal UN Commission of Inquiry Report in 2014, and they continue to raise awareness and pursue accountability for key North Korean human rights issues.

PRESS RELEASE - 12th Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy Announcement: https://lnkd.in/ex5x7fWK

There’s still time to apply! The deadline for applications for fellowships in 2025-2026 has been extended until November 8, 2024 for applications and November 15, 2024 for letters of recommendation. To learn more and apply, visit: www.ned.org/fellowships.

📺 WATCH NOW | Christopher Walker, Vanja Calovic, Kevin Sheives, Tanja Dramac Jiries, Martin Hála, and Martin Vladimirov discuss how Montenegro has become an ideal testing ground for authoritarian actors and more in the latest International Forum for Democratic Studies event, now available on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eJjeNbU7

The Center for International Media Assistance's Senior Director Nicholas Benequista, Ph.D. explains how the UN Cybercrime Convention will enable authoritarian actors to threaten independent media and stifle dissent: “Critics argue that the vagueness of the treaty’s language, along with its deference to national laws — even laws that conflict with international human rights standards — creates a new vector for transnational repression, the growing practice of authoritarian states targeting their critics overseas.” Read more in The Hill: https://lnkd.in/ekyuY7wy

📢ICYMI: OCTOBER ISSUE OUT NOW!🎃👻🦇 Read the full issue here, FREE through October 30! muse.jhu.edu/issue/53245

Today, there are over 1 million political prisoners worldwide. On Oct. 30, join NED's World Movement for Democracy and Freedom House for a #SetThemFree: Day of Political Prisoners virtual event. Recently released political prisoners Vladimir Kara-Murza and Hisham Kassem will speak about the impact of global solidarity in a discussion moderated by Berta Valle. Family members of former and current political prisoners, including Evgenia Kara-Murza, José Carlos Zamora, will also discuss how to elevate global advocacy efforts for the release of prisoners in a panel moderated by Annie Boyajian. Learn more and RSVP for the livestream: https://lnkd.in/d5PnSDKe

Are you a democracy activist seeking to step back from the field, reflect upon your work, and explore new ideas? Apply to be a Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow. More information at www.ned.org/fellowships. Applications due November 1st.