MESSAGE FROM NED’s PRESIDENT and Chief executive Officer
“The desire for freedom is inherent in human nature. It can never be extinguished.”
As he accepted the 2023 NED Democracy Award for Individual Courage, Venerable Golog Jigme, a Tibetan human rights activist and former political prisoner, reminded us of the sacrifices and overwhelming courage of democracy activists who persevere even in the world’s most dangerous places. At NED, we are unwavering in our commitment to our partners who are on the frontlines of the fight for freedom.
We marked NED’s 40th anniversary year at a consequential moment for our mission and the cause of freedom. Our partners are encountering more hostile circumstances, new technological challenges, and sharpening repression from autocrats. In 2023, we stood by our partners as they weathered crises in Burma, Niger, Sudan, Nicaragua, Gaza, Ukraine and many other places worldwide. We rallied to their side with democratic advances from Guatemala to Armenia and Liberia, and as voters demanded change from Venezuela to Thailand.
Despite the complex environments and struggles that our partners face every day, they know that NED will stand beside them for the long term. We aren’t backing down. In fact, in 2024 and beyond, NED is redoubling our efforts to champion democratic renewal and sharpening our approach to adapt to new challenges. We are making new investments in dismantling kleptocracy, supporting democracy advocates at risk, and leveraging technology for democracy. This November, we look forward to hosting the 12th World Movement for Democracy Global Assembly in South Africa as well as other events to rally our community and build democratic momentum.
We aren’t naïve. NED and our partners are facing an uphill battle against authoritarian powers who use their formidable capabilities to censor and suppress while undermining democracy as a system and as an idea. Yet we are relentlessly optimistic and determined. As long as our partners are facing tyranny every day, we must also rise to the challenge, and provide resources, tools, and solidarity they need to make democratic change.
We invite you to join us to work in common cause for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic world.
Damon Wilson
President and CEO
2023 Year in Review
In 2023, NED marked its 40th anniversary of supporting freedom around the world, reaffirmed its commitment to courageous partners, and rallied our communities in common cause for a better future. NED continued to support partners who work for human rights, journalism, transparency, and justice, despite danger and sharpening repression. NED maintained strong support for the NED family core institutes including NDI, IRI, CIPE and the Solidarity Center. In 2023, NED’s Board of Directors approved $283 million for 1,989 projects in 100 countries. In its 40th anniversary year, NED demonstrated how it is building on its legacy to adapt for the future.
Read more about NED’s grantmaking
In addition to our support for partners through grantmaking, NED’s programs support democracy research, convene key stakeholders, and host fellows from around the world. NED’s grants program is augmented by the International Forum for Democratic Studies, a research center that publishes the Journal of Democracy and administers the Reagan-Fascell Fellows Program; the World Movement for Democracy, a global hub for networking and solidarity; and the Center for International Media Assistance, which works to improve the efficacy of media development assistance.
Highlights from the past year at NED:
Afghan Democracy Activists Adapt for a Better Future
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the country’s democracy activists faced a new level of danger. Despite the challenges, Afghans are continuing their work, creating new communities, and spearheading solutions. NED remains committed to our Afghan partners inside the country and around the world.
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Free Vladimir Kara-Murza
NED and seven democracy associations mobilized support for the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has been detained in Russia for criticizing the Putin regime and its war in Ukraine. NED calls for the release of all political prisoners who have been wrongfully detained in Russia for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
WATCH HERE
NED's Solidarity with Ukrainian Partners
Since the full-scale Russian invasion, NED’s courageous Ukrainian partners have continued their work to document war crimes and atrocities; advocate for international support, mobilize thousands of volunteers across the country; provide independent news, and promote government transparency and accountability.
WATCH HERE
Why is Democracy Important to You?
Facing “Autocracy Inc.,” the World Movement for Democracy at NED convened Democracy United by hosting democracy movement leaders from 16 African countries in Lusaka, Zambia. Participants shared that democracy is important to them because it gives power to the people and gives everyone a chance to be heard.
WATCH HERE
20th Seymour Lipset Lecture
Larry Diamond, a founding Coeditor of the Journal of Democracy, delivered a landmark 20th Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World on "Power, Performance, and Legitimacy: Renewing Global Democratic Momentum." The lecture was followed by a conversation with Larry Diamond and the leader of free Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, moderated by NED’s Vice President for Studies and Analysis, Christopher Walker.
WATCH HERE
Banner Year for the Journal of Democracy
The Journal of Democracy published four quarterly issues and over thirty online essays with analysis and perspectives on important elections, events, and trends affecting democratic institutions around the world, from a record-breaking edition focused on India’s democracy to a major preview of what AI means for democracy.
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Convening Democracy Leaders in the Indo-Pacific
In partnership with the United States Studies Centre (USSC) at the University of Sydney, NED convened the third summit of the Sunnylands Initiative to bring together democracy leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region to discuss challenges, identify opportunities, and propose concrete actions for advancing democratic norms and governance.
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Defending Democracy in an Age of Sharp Power
NED Vice President for Studies and Analysis Christopher Walker and Journal of Democracy co-editors William J. Dobson and Tarek Masoud edited a new book, Defending Democracy in an Age of Sharp Power, that explores how authoritarian regimes are undermining democracies from within and how free societies can resist the threat. Watch a discussion with select contributors.
WATCH EVENT
NED’s 40th Anniversary
In November, NED held a special 40th anniversary presentation of the NED Democracy Awards and Democracy Service Medals, recognizing courageous awardees and those who contributed to NED’s legacy. The Democracy Awards honored Afghan independent media, technology trailblazers NetFreedom Pioneers, the women of Iran, and individuals imprisoned or killed for their democratic activism. The Democracy Service Medals honored Bishop Silvio Baez of Nicaragua and President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan.
Learn more about the NED at 40 event and our honorees:
Journalism: Afghan Independent Media
More than 300 media outlets in Afghanistan have closed since the Taliban takeover in 2021, and thousands of journalists have lost their jobs. Despite all challenges, Afghan journalists from inside and outside the country continue to provide Afghans and the international community with factual, objective news and information and counter the Taliban’s propaganda.
READ MORE
Trailblazer: Net Freedom Pioneers
NetFreedom Pioneers (NFP) is a technology nonprofit that develops innovative anti-censorship tools and harnesses digital technologies to promote human rights and access to information. Today, NetFreedom Pioneers works to circumvent censorship in the world’s most challenging environments such as North Korea, Iran, and Afghanistan.
READ MORE
Individual Courage: Individuals Imprisoned or Killed in 2023
NED honored courageous democracy activists who have been imprisoned or killed due to their work. In 2023 alone, over NED 100 partners and staff of NED’s core institutes have been jailed or killed while they selflessly confront autocrats in the pursuit of democracy and human rights in the face of unspeakable consequences.
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Movement: Women of Iran
NED recognized the women of Iran for their determination and courage that inspired a global movement for justice. The September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in Iran sparked nationwide protests and gave birth to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement that has posed a serious challenge to the ruling dictatorship in the country and inspired freedom-loving people around the world.
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Bishop Silvio Báez Receives Democracy Service Medal
At the 40th Anniversary Democracy Awards, NED honored Bishop Silvio José Báez Ortega, O.C.D. of Nicaragua with the Democracy Service Medal for his work for religious freedom. The Democracy Service Medal honors the bishop’s personal contributions while also shining a brighter spotlight on the deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua and the democratic aspirations of the Nicaraguan people.
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President Tsai Ing-Wen Receives Democracy Service Medal
NED awarded the Democracy Service Medal to President Tsai Ing-wen in honor of her historic achievements and contributions advancing democracy and human rights in Taiwan and around the world. The presentation occurred during a celebration for the 20th anniversary of NED partner Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD).
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Watch the Democracy Awards
On November 14, NED marked the past, present, and future of supporting freedom with a special 40th anniversary presentation of NED’s annual Democracy Awards and Democracy Service Medals. The ceremony gathered guests from Congress, the Biden administration, and democracy activists and leaders from around the world.
WATCH HERE
Supporting Democracy
In addition to our support for partners through grantmaking, NED’s programs support democracy research, convene key stakeholders, and host fellows from around the world. NED’s grants program is augmented by the International Forum for Democratic Studies, a research center that publishes the Journal of Democracy and administers the Reagan-Fascell Fellows Program; the World Movement for Democracy, a global hub for networking and solidarity; and the Center for International Media Assistance, which works to improve the efficacy of media development assistance.
Center for International Media Assistance
The Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) published reports and blogs about how to reward journalistic ethics online, chilling legislation for press freedom, and how the business community can support independent media.
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International Forum for Democratic Studies
In 2023, NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies published reports about democratic ground rules for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, kleptocratic cooperation in Africa, authoritarian information operations, and how to defend the global human rights system. READ MORE
Journal of Democracy
In 2023, the Journal of Democracy is the world’s leading publication on the theory and practice of democracy. In 2023, the Journalpublished online exclusive essays analyzing the second year of Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine, and events in China, Thailand, Iran, Western Europe, and Latin America.
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Fellowship Programs
NED’s Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program hosted from Belarus, Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, and Tanzania. The Carl Gershman Fund for Democracy Advocates at Risk has assisted 23 democracy advocates from 15 countries.
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World Movement for Democracy
The World Movement published a series of blogs on claiming civic space and continued its Crossover Initiative and campaigned for political prisoners through #SetThemFree. The Hurford Youth Fellowship Program welcomed four young democracy activists from Paraguay, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
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Democracy Resource Center
The Democracy Resource Center at NED is a collection of print and digital works containing nearly 27,000 books, journals, reports, and DVDs on democracy and supporting disciplines of study. In 2023, the DRC published research guides on technology and democracy and a "NED at 40" booklist to celebrate NED's anniversary.
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