|
|
|
Events >> The Democracy Award >> 1989 Democracy Award
|
On May 2 the Endowment presented its Democracy Awards to two individuals who have made vital contributions, both individually and as part of larger movements, to the cause of democracy.
Monica Jimenez de Barros was recognized for her contributions to the democratic cause in Chile. As founder and director of the Crusade for Citizen Participation she was the catalyst behind the nonpartisan civic movement that registered and mobilized millions of Chileans to participate in the plebiscite of October 5,1988. She organized over 100,000 volunteers throughout the country who distributed information to voters encouraging their participation in the democratic process at a decisive moment in Chile's history. Jacek Kuron, key advisor to the Polish trade union Solidarity, was recognized for his contributions to Solidarity's struggle and the democratic cause in Poland. Kuron stated that Solidarity's success proves that "the assumption that totalitarianism can be broken only from the outside since there are no internal forces capable of breaking the system is false. Self organizing society can overcome totalitarianism from within." Kuron was subsequently elected Minister of Labor in the new Solidarity-led parliament in Poland. |
|
| |