Richard Gephardt, longtime Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, will speak on “Spreading Freedom: A Mission for the American People” at the first lecture of the New York Democracy Forum (NYDF) to be held at the Kaye Playhouse of Hunter College on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.
The New York Democracy Forum is a joint venture of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which aims to bring to New York audiences key figures in the global democracy movement who are leading the way in the advance of democratic values and institutions around the world. These individuals, whether they are activists, scholars, or decision makers, are influential democratic figures because of the impact of their work and the power of their ideas. Democracy is the fundamental struggle of our time, and therefore it is critical that the world’s leading commercial center engage with those who are part of that struggle.
“Dick Gephardt has been an important voice in American politics for three decades,” said NED Chairman Vin Weber. “His commitment to the promotion of democracy abroad embodies the deep bipartisan support for democracy promotion that has existed for many years but has only recently been thrust into the spotlight of American foreign policy.” Gephardt currently serves on the bipartisan NED Board of Directors.
NYDF lectures will be held on a monthly basis at Hunter College, except for the summer, and upcoming speakers include best selling author Azar Nafisi (April 20) speaking on the topic: “Women, Culture, Human Rights: The Case of Iran,” and public intellectual Francis Fukuyama (May 25), who will address the topic, “Do we really know how to promote democracy?”
There are no two organizations better placed to link New York and Washington in this important undertaking. Since its founding in 1918, the New York-based Foreign Policy Association (www.fpa.org) has been at the forefront of efforts to educate the public about the critical issues that shape America’s involvement in world affairs. Through its World Affairs Councils, Great Decisions series, and publications, it serves as the leading public foreign policy forum for national and international leaders.
NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org.
Date: March 22, 2005
Speaker: The Honorable Richard Gephardt, Former House Democratic Leader
Time: Registration begins 5:30 pm, lecture from 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Kaye Play House, 695 Park Avenue (68th Street between Park and Lexington),, New York, NY
Admission: Free, advance registration required
Register at www.fpa.org
