June 24, 2009
2009 Democracy Award
On Wednesday June 24, the National Endowment for Democracy honored the heroic efforts of Cuban workers, lawyers, and writers working to advance democratic values and fundamental rights within Cuba with the presentation of its annual Democracy Award. The honorees, who are all serving sentences in Cuban prisons, were honored in absentia. [read more]
June 15, 2009
The Next Founders: Voices of Democracy in the Middle East
 Video
Joshua Muravchik discusses his new book, The Next Founders: Voices of Democracy in the Middle East, which consists of profiles of seven leading democracy activists from the Middle East (six from the Arab world and one from Iran). Some critics argue that the kinds of Middle Eastern liberals portrayed in his book, however heroic or admirable they may be, are too small in number, too Westernized, too shallowly rooted in their societies, and too secular in their orientation to be an effective engine of democratic change in the region. Mr. Muravchik considers this question in his presentation, and it is the focus of the subsequent discussion among commentators Ziad Asali, Laith Kubba, and Tamara Cofman Wittes.
June 09, 2009
Mediated Politics: Reassessing Democratic Representation in Latin America
 Audio
 PDF
Dr. Enrique Peruzzotti
elaborates on the concept of mediated politics and its contribution to a more sophisticated understanding of democratic representation in contemporary societies.
June 08, 2009
Democracy under Fire in the Niger Delta
Video
PowerPoint
Mr. Anyakwee Nsirimovu
addresses the urgent need to curb weapons proliferation in the Niger Delta. He calls on the Nigerian government and the international community to implement and support measures that will improve the prospects for peace, good governance, and sustainable human security Peter Lewis (Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies) provides comments.
June 2, 2009
Commemorating the Unforgettable: Tiananmen 20 Years On
The legacy of the events of June 4, 1989, when peaceful demonstrations by Chinese students urging political reform were crushed by military force, was the topic of a half-day conference jointly organized by NED and the Laogai Research Foundation on June 2. Two panels examined the impact of Tiananmen on the Chinese media, and the prospects of democratic reform today. Read more…
May 18-19 , 2009
East Turkestan: 60 Years under the People’s Republic of China - Past, Present and Future
Read more…
May 7, 2009
Mourning or Morning in Moldova? The April Election and its Aftermath
On April 5th, Moldova held parliamentary elections. Please join us for a discussion on the April election process, civil society’s efforts to foster free and fair elections, the current human rights situation, and on-going political deadlock in one of Europe’s most isolated countries. Read more.
April 30, 2009
The Crisis of Federalism and Prospects for Provincial Autonomy in Pakistan
Video PowerPoint
Mr. Jami Chandio argues that the time is ripe for the genuine devolution of greater authority to Pakistan's provinces as well as proposes effective constitutional and policy mechanisms to facilitate federalism and democratic decentralization in the country. Selig Harrison (Center for International Policy) provides comments.
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April
27, 2009
Windows of Opportunity?
The Government of National Unity, Rural Developments, Labor and Civil Society in Zimbabwe
After nearly a year, Zimbabwe is still reeling from the outcome of the March 2008 elections. Despite many challenges, the elections have nevertheless opened a small window of opportunity. This forum will explore the way forward in Zimbabwe, with Hon. Tendai Biti, Tyanai Masiya, Ray Choto, Marc Bayard, and Vukasin Petrovic. Read more.
Video, Part I
March 10, 2009
A Celebration of the Life and Thought of Samuel P. Huntington
Video
As was confirmed by the many tributes that marked his passing on December 24, Samuel P. Huntington was one of the greatest social scientists of the past half-century. A panel discussion on "Universal Values, Cultural Differences, and the Future of Democracy," with Larry Diamond, Francis Fukuyama, and Donald L. Horowitz. Read more.
February 26, 2009
Turmoil in Ukraine: Will Democracy Survive?
Video
Four years after the Orange Revolution brought a million people out onto the streets of Kyiv to protest against falsified elections and authoritarian government, Ukraine’s political elite has yet to fulfill the promises that were made on the Maidan. In this discussion, Oleh Rybachuk, Chairman of the Souspilnist Foundation, discussed how Ukraine and its people will meet the challenges presented by the economic crisis, internal turmoil, and pressures from international players. Nadia Diuk (NED) moderates.
February 12, 2009
Securing Dalit Rights: The Case for Affirmative Action in the 'New Nepal'
Video PowerPoint
Mr. Suvash Darnal makes the case for implementing affirmative action in Nepal as a means for integrating Dalits into the country’s political and social mainstream. Brian Joseph (NED) provides comments.
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February 5, 2009
Guinea after the Coup: New Opportunities for Judicial Reform
Video PowerPoint
Mr. Frederic Loua discusses how the new leadership in Guinea—a leadership that has been largely welcomed by the populace—can act to ameliorate unacceptable prison conditions and establish a political foundation in which the rule of law is able to flourish. Maria Koulouris (Global Rights) provides comments.
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February 4, 2009
The Day After: Democratizing Elections in Postcommunist Europe and Eurasia
Video PowerPoint
Dr. Sharon Wolchik discusses the pre- and post-election trajectories of Slovakia, Croatia, Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, and Kyrgyzstan and compares the effects of these so-called electoral revolutions on democratic consolidation
TOP
January 30, 2009
Can Cuba Change?
Video
Based on a collection of articles published in the January 2009 Journal of Democracy, NED's International Forum for Democratic Studies hosted a panel discussion featuring JOD authors Eusebio Mujal-Leon (Georgetown University), Carl Gershman (National Endowment for Democracy), and Orlando Gutierrez (Cuban Democratic Directorate) that identified challenges faced by the ruling elite in maintaining power and examined
the growth of opposition movements and civil society on the island. The discussion was moderated by Journal coeditor Marc F. Plattner.
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January 29, 2009
The Future of Independent Media in Ukraine
Video PowerPoint
Dr. Ihor Lylo discusses challenges to the development of independent media in Ukraine and offers recommendations to strengthen journalists’ capacity to provide objective political coverage. Myroslava Gongadze (Voice of America) provides comments, with discussion moderated by Nadia Diuk (National Endowment for Democracy).
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January 27, 2009
Democracy Assistance: Political versus Developmental?
On January 27, the International Forum for Democratic Studies hosted a roundtable discussion based on an article published by Thomas Carothers in the January 2009 Journal of Democracy that examined the strengths and weaknesses of the "political" and "developmental" approaches to assisting democracy. After opening remarks by Carothers (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Journal coeditor Larry Diamond offered initial comments. The discussion was moderated by Journal coeditor Marc F. Plattner.
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January 22, 2009
Democracy and its Discontents: Dilemmas of Diversity in Northeast India
Video PowerPoint
Dr. Rajesh Dev discusses his research on ethnic tensions in Northeast India and addresses the cost of conflict on democratic consolidation in the region.
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