The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will pay tribute to the people of Sudan and their historic 2019 revolution when it honors three organizations working tirelessly to strengthen civil society in Sudan with the 2020 Democracy Award. The award ceremony will take place in June at the United States Congress in Washington, D.C.
The 2020 Democracy Award Honorees are:
- Regional Centre for Development and Training (RCDCS)
- Nuba Women for Education and Development Association (NuWEDA)
- Darfur Bar Association (DBA)
(See brief descriptions of each organization and their representatives at the end of this release.)
Sudan now faces an historic opportunity for democratic transition. For more than six months preceding the formal power-sharing agreement in August 2019, the democratic civic movement of Sudan engaged in peaceful, countrywide protests demanding a transition to civilian rule and respect for democracy and human rights. Organized by the Sudanese Professional Association, these protests were organic in nature and were the result of thousands of small initiatives to build civic capacity and to promote the values and concepts of democracy and human dignity.
Many of NED’s partners were instrumental in implementing these initiatives. The three organizations that will be honored represent the key populations engaged in the protests: young people, women, and those living in the countryside on the periphery.
“The 2020 Democracy Award honors three groups who have been working for years to ensure the rights of all Sudanese people are protected, to build a new generation of democratic leaders, and to shape a democratic future for Sudan,” said NED president Carl Gershman. “It is NED’s hope that this award will build solidarity for the people of Sudan in their historic struggle for inclusive democracy, human rights, and lasting peace.”
The National Endowment for Democracy 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 and the Democracy Award can be found at www.ned.org.
About the Honorees:
Regional Centre for Development and Training of Civil Society (RCDCS) trained hundreds of youth across the country on democracy, activism, and local engagement. It is currently working to formalize pathways for youth to engage in and be heard by government decision making processes and political parties, as well as support neighborhood committees to maintain citizen engagements during the transitional period.
The Nuba Women for Education and Development Association (NuWEDA) trained local women activists to engage in peace processes and activism on local issues and respect for women’s rights. It is currently working to advance a national women’s agenda and pass legal reforms to protect women’s rights.
The Darfur Bar Association supported marginalized people to advocate for their rights and provided legal assistance to vulnerable activists before and during the protests. It will be vital in legal reform, peace negotiations, and transitional justice and accountability efforts.
Press Inquiries
Christine Bednarz – Senior Manager, Media Relations (202) 378-9801 christineb@ned.org
Jane Riley Jacobsen – Senior Director, Public Affairs (202) 378-9604 jane@ned.org
