National Endowment for Democracy

“When we thought of democracy ... it was freedom. Solely freedom.”

As a child growing up in Kosovo under dictatorship, Donika Emini was expelled from kindergarten because of her Albanian ethnicity. For her, democracy has meant the simple freedom to be accepted and respected, but over time, she learned that democracy is much more than freedom. Democracy is multilayered.

Emini is a former NED Reagan-Fascell fellow and the former executive director of CiviKos Platform, an initiative of civil society organizations that promotes state and civil society collaboration in Kosovo.

Democracy isn’t given; it’s developed. Join the conversation: Why is democracy important to you?

#DemocracyMatters #Freedom #CiviKosPlatform #Kosovo

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

National Endowment for Democracy

“I truly learned what freedom was about when I was in a 2x2 cell, unable to see the sunlight...” Leopoldo López is a Venezuelan opposition activist who was imprisoned on false charges by the Maduro regime in 2014.

During his eight years as mayor of Chacao municipality in Caracas, Leopoldo López won first-prize awards from Transparency International for running Venezuela’s most honest and efficient municipal administration. After he left office, López founded Voluntad Popular, or “Popular Will,” a pluralist and democratic movement committed to the realization of “the social, economic, political, and human rights of every Venezuelan.”

On February 18, 2014, facing false charges of “instigating arson, damage, and criminal gatherings,” López turned himself in to unmask the autocratic Maduro regime. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch characterized the criminal case against López as an attempt by Maduro to silence a political opponent.

Locked up in the notorious military prison Ramo Verde, López was denied visitors and faced both physical and psychological torture. He has spent half his term in solitary confinement.

Today, Leopoldo López serves as the General Secretary of World Liberty Congress, a global network of political dissidents working to end dictatorship by 2025, which he co-founded.

Democracy isn’t guaranteed—it’s a struggle we must actively fight for. Join the conversation: Why is democracy important to you?

#DemocracyMatters #Freedom #LeopoldoLópez #Venezuela

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

National Endowment for Democracy

More than 500 political, civil leaders, Nobel Laureates, and pro-democracy institutions have signed an open letter to #DefendDemocracy, warning that the #freedoms we cherish are under threat from governments that are using the crisis to tighten their grip on power.

"Democracy is not just a cherished ideal. It is the system of government best suited to addressing a crisis of the magnitude and complexity of COVID-19. In contrast to the self-serving claims of authoritarian propaganda, credible and free flows of information, fact-based debate about policy options, the voluntary self-organization of civil society, and open engagement between government and society are all vital assets in combating the pandemic. And they are all key elements of liberal democracy."

Read the full letter at ned.org/call-to-defend-democracy/

5 years ago | [YT] | 1

National Endowment for Democracy

LIVE NOW: The Role of Open Data in Strengthening Nigerian Democracy


For more information about this event and our speakers, visit ned.org: www.ned.org/events/the-role-of-open-data-in-streng…

6 years ago | [YT] | 0

National Endowment for Democracy

LIVE NOW: Big Data, Not Big Brother: Digital Media Analytics in a New Age of Data Protection


For more information about this event and our speakers, visit cima.ned.org: www.cima.ned.org/event/big-data-not-big-brother-di…

6 years ago | [YT] | 0

National Endowment for Democracy

LIVE NOW: 2019 Democracy Award: Defenders of Human and Religious Rights in China


Learn more about this event and the award recipients at ned.org: www.ned.org/2019-democracy-award/

6 years ago | [YT] | 0

National Endowment for Democracy

LIVE NOW: New Threats to Civil Society and the Rule of Law in Hong Kong

Learn more at ned.org: www.ned.org/events/new-threats-to-civil-society-an…

6 years ago | [YT] | 0

National Endowment for Democracy

Tune into two panel discussions, exploring how Korea’s democracy has been rejuvenated following the Candlelight Movement, and how South Korea can become a more robust leader to defend and promote democracy in the Asia region during a time where we see a major vacuum of traditional democratic leadership.

6 years ago | [YT] | 0