Freedom House supports democratic change, monitors freedom, and advocates for democracy and human rights around the world. We support nonviolent civic initiatives in societies where freedom is denied or under threat and we stand in opposition to ideas and forces that challenge the right of all people to be free. Freedom House amplifies the voices of those fighting for freedom in repressive societies. We work directly with democracy and human rights advocates in their own countries and regions. These reformers include human rights defenders, civil society leaders and members of the media. Freedom House’s programs provide these advocates with resources that include training, expert advice, grants and exchange opportunities. We press the United States, other governments, international institutions and regional bodies to adopt consistent policies that advance human rights and democracy around the world.

Freedom House

Around the globe, democratic political systems and values are under threat from authoritarian states seeking to stifle dissent at home and project influence internationally. Yet people who aspire to live in free societies continue to assert their fundamental freedoms and to push back against both democratic erosion and aggressive despotism. The Mark Palmer Forum for the Advancement of Democracy will examine the challenge posed by modern authoritarianism and how governments and activists may overcome it.

Democracy Conference: Countering Modern Authoritarianism

Governments around the world increasingly influence public opinion in favor of authoritarianism by portraying human rights as a foreign concept in direct conflict with the traditional values of the people and local culture. In response, civil society organizations and activists are finding innovative ways to create a demand for human rights from broader communities.A diverse group of experts will discuss the findings from recent research on the effectiveness of human rights campaigns, present relevant examples of successful campaigns that raise public awareness, and discuss strategies for developing and executing campaigns that aim to promote human rights.Speakers: Laura Adams USAID Democracy Fellow Institute of International EducationChantal Agarwal Senior Program Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean ABA Rule of Law InitiativeMason Ingram Global Director, Governance PactAnnie Callaway Advocacy Manager Enough ProjectVukasin Petrovic Senior Director for Strategy Freedom HouseJeremy Pittman Deputy Field Director Human Rights Campaign

Governments around the world increasingly influence public opinion in favor of authoritarianism by portraying human rights as a foreign concept in direct conflict with the traditional values of the people and local culture. In response, civil society organizations and activists are finding innovative ways to create a demand for human rights from broader communities.

A diverse group of experts will discuss the findings from recent research on the effectiveness of human rights campaigns, present relevant examples of successful campaigns that raise public awareness, and discuss strategies for developing and executing campaigns that aim to promote human rights.

Speakers: 
Laura Adams 
USAID Democracy Fellow 
Institute of International Education

Chantal Agarwal 
Senior Program Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean 
ABA Rule of Law Initiative

Mason Ingram 
Global Director, Governance 
Pact

Annie Callaway 
Advocacy Manager 
Enough Project

Vukasin Petrovic 
Senior Director for Strategy 
Freedom House

Jeremy Pittman 
Deputy Field Director 
Human Rights Campaign

Director of Africa Programs

Raising Public Awareness: Strategies for Human Rights Campaigns

Laura Adams, Chantal Agarwal, Mason Ingram, Annie Callaway, Jeremy Pittman

Please join Freedom House, El Tiempo Latino and Tu Pa&iacute;s Foundation for a panel-style event with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, Venezuela&rsquo;s Supreme Court justices Antonio Jos&eacute; Marval Jim&eacute;nez and Alejandro Jes&uacute;s Rebolledo, and Julio Borges, the president of the National Assembly, to discuss the death of democracy in Venezuela. Justices Jim&eacute;nez and Rebolledo, who are among those appointed to the high Court by the country&rsquo;s National Assembly, are under politically motivated investigations and persecution from the government of Maduro.The panelists will discuss the end of separation of powers and the general, accelerated erosion of democratic institutions that the country has experienced.&nbsp;Commentary:Luis Almagro Secretary General of the Organization of American StatesModerator:Michael Abramowitz President of Freedom HousePanelists:Antonio Jos&eacute; Marval Jim&eacute;nez Appointed Supreme Court JusticeAlejandro Jes&uacute;s Rebolledo Appointed Supreme Court JusticeJulio Borges President of the National Assembly

Please join Freedom House, El Tiempo Latino and Tu Pa&iacute;s Foundation for a panel-style event with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, Venezuela&rsquo;s Supreme Court justices Antonio Jos&eacute; Marval Jim&eacute;nez and Alejandro Jes&uacute;s Rebolledo, and Julio Borges, the president of the National Assembly, to discuss the death of democracy in Venezuela. Justices Jim&eacute;nez and Rebolledo, who are among those appointed to the high Court by the country&rsquo;s National Assembly, are under politically motivated investigations and persecution from the government of Maduro.

The panelists will discuss the end of separation of powers and the general, accelerated erosion of democratic institutions that the country has experienced.&nbsp;

Commentary:

Luis Almagro 
Secretary General of the Organization of American States

Moderator:

Michael Abramowitz 
President of Freedom House

Panelists:

Antonio Jos&eacute; Marval Jim&eacute;nez 
Appointed Supreme Court Justice

Alejandro Jes&uacute;s Rebolledo 
Appointed Supreme Court Justice

Julio Borges 
President of the National Assembly

Venezuela’s Illegitimate Constituent Assembly And The Consolidation Of A Dictatorship

Luis Almagro, Michael Abramowitz, Antonio José Marval Jiménez, Alejandro Jesús Rebolledo, Julio Borges

Transformation and Stability in the Western BalkansMonday, May 15, 2017 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.Freedom House 1850 M. St NW 11th Floor Washington, D.C. 20036The April 27 attack on members of parliament in Macedonia has focused attention once again on the crisis of democracy in the Western Balkans. Years of institutional paralysis and authoritarian backsliding in countries across the region have created a dilemma for European and American policymakers: continue to preference short-term stability, or invest fully in democratic transformation? Freedom House welcomes experts from the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) for a discussion of the future of the Western Balkans and United States policy in the region.Opening Remarks:Hedvig Morvai Executive Director, European Fund for the BalkansPanelists:Florian Bieber Director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, AustriaIvana Cvetkovic Bajrovic Associate Director, National Endowment for DemocracyNikola Dimitrov Former Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the Netherlands Moderator:Nate Schenkkan Project Director, Nations in Transit, Freedom House &nbsp;

Transformation and Stability in the Western Balkans

Monday, May 15, 2017 
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Freedom House 
1850 M. St NW 
11th Floor 
Washington, D.C. 20036

The April 27 attack on members of parliament in Macedonia has focused attention once again on the crisis of democracy in the Western Balkans. Years of institutional paralysis and authoritarian backsliding in countries across the region have created a dilemma for European and American policymakers: continue to preference short-term stability, or invest fully in democratic transformation? Freedom House welcomes experts from the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) for a discussion of the future of the Western Balkans and United States policy in the region.

Opening Remarks:

Hedvig Morvai 
Executive Director, European Fund for the Balkans

Panelists:

Florian Bieber 
Director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria

Ivana Cvetkovic Bajrovic 
Associate Director, National Endowment for Democracy

Nikola Dimitrov 
Former Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the Netherlands 
 
Moderator:

Nate Schenkkan 
Project Director, Nations in Transit, Freedom House 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Project Director for Nations in Transit

Transformation And Stability In The Western Balkans

Between Terror and Repression: The Role of Human Rights in the Struggle against Extremist Violence Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.A light breakfast will be served at 9:00 a.m.&nbsp; Freedom House 1850 M&nbsp;St NW 11th Floor Washington, D.C. 20036 Please join us for a discussion on how support for international human rights policies and programs can play a role in countering violent extremism. Extremist ideologies used to justify violence and terror explicitly reject the values that lie at the heart of the international human rights system. Around the world, violent extremist groups attempt to curtail free expression, religious liberty, gender equality, and other fundamental rights. At the same time, some governments have cited the global struggle against extremist violence to justify actions against political opposition, increasing abuse by security forces, and curtailing civil liberties of their citizens, which ultimately undermines democratic values and principles. Remarks by Shamil Idriss President &amp; Chief Executive Officer Search for Common Ground Discussion with Linda Bishai&nbsp; Director of Research, Learning, and Evaluation American Bar Association - Rule of Law Initiative&nbsp; Shannon Green Director and Senior Fellow Human Rights Initiative, CSIS Marjorie Rouse Senior Vice President for Programs Internews ModeratorBobby Herman Vice President for International Programs, Emergency Assistance, and Multilateral Initiatives Freedom House &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Freedom House, the American Bar Association, Pact, Internews, and Search for Common Ground formed the &ldquo;Protecting Global Rights through Sustainable Solutions&rdquo; Consortium (PROGRESS) to implement USAID&rsquo;s Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) Strategy, namely objective #3: Protect and promote universally recognized human rights, through the Human Rights Support Mechanism (HRSM). This event is part of the&nbsp;HRSM Learning Forum, a series of discussions on specific issues in the field of democracy, human rights, and governance. This event was made possible with the generous support of the American People through USAID. The contents are the responsibility of PROGRESS and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. &nbsp;

Between Terror and Repression: 
The Role of Human Rights in the Struggle against Extremist Violence 
 
Thursday, March 30, 2017 
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.A light breakfast will be served at 9:00 a.m.&nbsp; 
 
Freedom House 
1850 M&nbsp;St NW 
11th Floor 
Washington, D.C. 20036 
 
Please join us for a discussion on how support for international human rights policies and programs can play a role in countering violent extremism. Extremist ideologies used to justify violence and terror explicitly reject the values that lie at the heart of the international human rights system. 
 
Around the world, violent extremist groups attempt to curtail free expression, religious liberty, gender equality, and other fundamental rights. At the same time, some governments have cited the global struggle against extremist violence to justify actions against political opposition, increasing abuse by security forces, and curtailing civil liberties of their citizens, which ultimately undermines democratic values and principles. 
 
 
 
Remarks by Shamil Idriss 
President &amp; Chief Executive Officer 
Search for Common Ground 
 
Discussion with Linda Bishai&nbsp; 
Director of Research, Learning, and Evaluation 
American Bar Association - Rule of Law Initiative&nbsp; 
 
Shannon Green 
Director and Senior Fellow 
Human Rights Initiative, CSIS 
 
Marjorie Rouse 
Senior Vice President for Programs 
Internews 
 
ModeratorBobby Herman 
Vice President for International Programs, Emergency Assistance, and Multilateral Initiatives 
Freedom House 
 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Freedom House, the American Bar Association, Pact, Internews, and Search for Common Ground formed the &ldquo;Protecting Global Rights through Sustainable Solutions&rdquo; Consortium (PROGRESS) to implement USAID&rsquo;s Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) Strategy, namely objective #3: Protect and promote universally recognized human rights, through the Human Rights Support Mechanism (HRSM). This event is part of the&nbsp;HRSM Learning Forum, a series of discussions on specific issues in the field of democracy, human rights, and governance. This event was made possible with the generous support of the American People through USAID. The contents are the responsibility of PROGRESS and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. 
&nbsp;

Between Terror And Repression: The Role Of Human Rights In The Struggle Against Extremist Violence

Report Launch:The Battle for China&#39;s Spirit Religious Revival, Repression, and Resistance under Xi JinpingTuesday, February 28th, 2017 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.Freedom House&nbsp; 1850 M. St NW 11th Floor&nbsp; Washington, D.C. 20036Please join us for the launch of the Freedom House report The Battle for China&#39;s Spirit&nbsp;on the Chinese government&rsquo;s intensified controls over religion under President Xi Jinping. Panelists will discuss the scale and severity of persecution, the trajectory of citizen push-back, and the broader effects of these dynamics on Chinese society and politics.Speakers:Andrew Jacobs Former Beijing CorrespondentThe New York TimesZubayra Shamseden Chinese Outreach Coordinator Uyghur Human Rights ProjectSarah Cook Report Author and Senior Research Analyst for East Asia Freedom HouseModerator:Carolyn Bartholomew Chair U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

Report Launch:The Battle for China&#39;s Spirit 
Religious Revival, Repression, and Resistance under Xi Jinping

 
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Freedom House&nbsp; 
1850 M. St NW 
11th Floor&nbsp; 
Washington, D.C. 20036

Please join us for the launch of the Freedom House report The Battle for China&#39;s Spirit&nbsp;on the Chinese government&rsquo;s intensified controls over religion under President Xi Jinping. Panelists will discuss the scale and severity of persecution, the trajectory of citizen push-back, and the broader effects of these dynamics on Chinese society and politics.

Speakers:

Andrew Jacobs 
Former Beijing CorrespondentThe New York Times

Zubayra Shamseden 
Chinese Outreach Coordinator 
Uyghur Human Rights Project

Sarah Cook 
Report Author and Senior Research Analyst for East Asia 
Freedom House

Moderator:

Carolyn Bartholomew 
Chair 
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

The Battle For China's Spirit: Religious Revival, Repression, And Resistance Under Xi Jinping

Freedom in the World 2017 Populists and Autocrats: The Dual Threats to Global Democracy Tuesday, January 31st, 2017 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served  at 8:30 a.m. Freedom House  1850 M. St NW 11th Floor  Washington, D.C. 20036 Please join us for the launch of Freedom in the World 2017, the latest edition of Freedom House's annual assessment of the state of freedom around the world. Speakers: David Sanger Chief Washington Correspondent The New York Times Tamara Wittes Director for Middle East Policy  Brookings Institution  Arch Puddington Distinguished Fellow for Democracy Studies Freedom House Moderator: Michael Abramowitz Incoming President Freedom House

Freedom in the World 2017 
Populists and Autocrats: The Dual Threats to Global Democracy 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuesday, January 31st, 2017 
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 
Breakfast will be served  at 8:30 a.m. 
 
Freedom House  
1850 M. St NW 
11th Floor  
Washington, D.C. 20036 
 
Please join us for the launch of Freedom in the World 2017, the latest edition of Freedom House's annual assessment of the state of freedom around the world. 
 
Speakers: 
 
David Sanger 
Chief Washington Correspondent 
The New York Times 
 
Tamara Wittes 
Director for Middle East Policy  
Brookings Institution  
 
Arch Puddington 
Distinguished Fellow for Democracy Studies 
Freedom House 
 
Moderator: 
Michael Abramowitz 
Incoming President 
Freedom House

Launch: Freedom In The World 2017

FREEDOM ON THE NET 2016 Monday, November 14, 2016 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at noon Google 25 Massachusetts Ave NW Suite 900 Washington, D.C. 20001 Follow the conversation on Twitter with #netfreedom2016 and @FreedomHouseDC Please join us for the launch of Freedom on the Net 2016, the latest edition of Freedom House’s annual assessment of online censorship and user rights in 65 countries around the world. The panel will discuss trends in internet freedom, and the advances and setbacks over the past year, including the new restrictions on social media and communication tools, most censored topics and apps, and the expansion of digital activism. Introductory Remark by: The Honorable Ron Wyden United States Senator Speakers: Sanja Kelly Director, Freedom on the Net Freedom House Darya Luganskaya Moscow-based tech journalist 'Gbenga Sesan Executive Director Paradigm Initiative Nigeria Sally Shipman Wentworth Vice President of Global Policy Internet Society Moderator: Daniel Calingaert Acting President Freedom House   Can't make it? Watch the Live Stream. Google is pleased to provide attendance at this event at no cost where appropriate under applicable laws. This event has been planned to comply with Congressional ethics rules. Stricter rules may apply to certain Executive Branch employees and State/Local government officials. Google may be required to report gifts to government officials. Please contact [email protected]/* */ if you have any questions, or if you’d like to reimburse Google for your attendance.

FREEDOM ON THE NET 2016 
 
Monday, November 14, 2016 
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
Lunch will be served at noon 
 
Google 
25 Massachusetts Ave NW 
Suite 900 
Washington, D.C. 20001 
 
Follow the conversation on Twitter with #netfreedom2016 and @FreedomHouseDC 
 
Please join us for the launch of Freedom on the Net 2016, the latest edition of Freedom House’s annual assessment of online censorship and user rights in 65 countries around the world. The panel will discuss trends in internet freedom, and the advances and setbacks over the past year, including the new restrictions on social media and communication tools, most censored topics and apps, and the expansion of digital activism. 
 
 
 
Introductory Remark by: 
The Honorable Ron Wyden 
United States Senator 
 
Speakers: 
Sanja Kelly 
Director, Freedom on the Net 
Freedom House 
 
Darya Luganskaya 
Moscow-based tech journalist 
 
'Gbenga Sesan 
Executive Director 
Paradigm Initiative Nigeria 
 
Sally Shipman Wentworth 
Vice President of Global Policy 
Internet Society 
 
Moderator: 
Daniel Calingaert 
Acting President 
Freedom House 
 
  
 
Can't make it? Watch the Live Stream. 
 
 
 
Google is pleased to provide attendance at this event at no cost where appropriate under applicable laws. This event has been planned to comply with Congressional ethics rules. Stricter rules may apply to certain Executive Branch employees and State/Local government officials. Google may be required to report gifts to government officials. Please contact [email protected]/* */ if you have any questions, or if you’d like to reimburse Google for your attendance.

Special Launch Event: Freedom On The Net 2016

Please join us for the launch of Freedom on the Net 2016, the latest edition of Freedom House&rsquo;s annual assessment of online censorship and user rights in 65 countries around the world. The panel will discuss trends in internet freedom, and the advances and setbacks over the past year, including the new restrictions on social media and communications tools, most censored topics and apps, and the expansion of digital activism.Speakers:Sanja Kelly Director, Freedom on the Net Freedom HouseDarya Luganskaya Moscow-based tech journalist&#39;Gbenga Sesan Executive Director Paradigm Initiative NigeriaSally Shipman Wentworth Vice President of Global Policy Internet SocietyModerator: Daniel Calingaert Acting President Freedom HouseGoogle is pleased to provide attendance at this event at no cost where appropriate under applicable laws. This event has been planned to comply with Congressional ethics rules. Stricter rules may apply to certain Executive Branch employees and State/Local government officials. Google may be required to report gifts to government officials. Please contact <a target="_blank" href="mailto:us-gov-ethics@google.com">us-gov-ethics@google.com</a> if you have any questions, or if you&rsquo;d like to reimburse Google for your attendance.

Please join us for the launch of Freedom on the Net 2016, the latest edition of Freedom House&rsquo;s annual assessment of online censorship and user rights in 65 countries around the world. The panel will discuss trends in internet freedom, and the advances and setbacks over the past year, including the new restrictions on social media and communications tools, most censored topics and apps, and the expansion of digital activism.

Speakers:

Sanja Kelly 
Director, Freedom on the Net Freedom House

Darya Luganskaya 
Moscow-based tech journalist

&#39;Gbenga Sesan 
Executive Director Paradigm Initiative Nigeria

Sally Shipman Wentworth 
Vice President of Global Policy Internet Society

Moderator: 
Daniel Calingaert 
Acting President Freedom House

Google is pleased to provide attendance at this event at no cost where appropriate under applicable laws. This event has been planned to comply with Congressional ethics rules. Stricter rules may apply to certain Executive Branch employees and State/Local government officials. Google may be required to report gifts to government officials. Please contact <a href="mailto:us-gov-ethics@google.com">us-gov-ethics@google.com</a> if you have any questions, or if you&rsquo;d like to reimburse Google for your attendance.

Freedom On The Net 2016

Freedom House and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area invite you to Advancing Human Rights: The United Nations and China Tuesday, September 27, 2016 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Freedom House 1850 M Street NW Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20036 Register Now Please join us for a candid discussion on how the United Nations can support human rights in China: What impact is the UN having on China’s human rights situation? Are the special rapporteurs, Universal Periodic Review process, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights making a difference? How is the Chinese government responding to the work of the UN on Human Rights in China? And how can the UN address China’s human rights situation more effectively? Welcome Remarks Ambassador Donald T. Bliss (ret) President, UNA-NCA Participants Dr. Yang Jianli President, Initiatives for China Dr. Xiao R. Li Independent Scholar Dr. Sophie Richardson China Director, Human Rights Watch Moderator Dr. Mark P. Lagon Distinguished Senior Scholar and Centennial Fellow Edmond A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University  WATCH LIVE

Freedom House and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area 
invite you to 
 
Advancing Human Rights: The United Nations and China 
 
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
 
Freedom House 
1850 M Street NW 
Suite 1100 
Washington, D.C. 20036 
 
Register Now 
 
Please join us for a candid discussion on how the United Nations can support human rights in China: What impact is the UN having on China’s human rights situation? Are the special rapporteurs, Universal Periodic Review process, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights making a difference? How is the Chinese government responding to the work of the UN on Human Rights in China? And how can the UN address China’s human rights situation more effectively? 
 
Welcome Remarks 
Ambassador Donald T. Bliss (ret) 
President, UNA-NCA 
 
Participants 
Dr. Yang Jianli 
President, Initiatives for China 
 
Dr. Xiao R. Li 
Independent Scholar 
 
Dr. Sophie Richardson 
China Director, Human Rights Watch 
 
Moderator 
Dr. Mark P. Lagon 
Distinguished Senior Scholar and Centennial Fellow 
Edmond A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University  
 
WATCH LIVE

Advancing Human Rights: The United Nations And China

Freedom House and Georgetown University&#39;s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy cordially invite you to a public keynote address and moderated discussion on diplomacy and human rights featuring Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, and winner of the 2016 Mark Palmer Prize presented by Freedom House to a diplomat who helps advance democracy and human rights internationally. The discussion will focus on how diplomats and civil society can work together to counter a record ten year decline in freedom globally, with a particular focus on the false narrative that diplomats must choose between ensuring security and promoting human rights.Speaker:Luis Almagro Secretary General Organization of American StatesModerator:Diana Villiers Negroponte Public Policy Fellow Wilson Center

Freedom House and Georgetown University&#39;s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy cordially invite you to a public keynote address and moderated discussion on diplomacy and human rights featuring Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, and winner of the 2016 Mark Palmer Prize presented by Freedom House to a diplomat who helps advance democracy and human rights internationally. The discussion will focus on how diplomats and civil society can work together to counter a record ten year decline in freedom globally, with a particular focus on the false narrative that diplomats must choose between ensuring security and promoting human rights.

Speaker:

Luis Almagro 
Secretary General Organization of American States

Moderator:

Diana Villiers Negroponte 
Public Policy Fellow Wilson Center

Diplomacy And Human Rights With Luis Almagro, OAS Secretary General

Please join the Council of the Americas and Freedom House for a public discussion on future scenarios for Venezuela, in light of mass protests that gripped the country on September 1. Low oil prices and gross economic mismanagement have crippled the Venezuelan economy, creating high inflation, food and medical shortages and increased violence. The political opposition, now in control of the National Assembly following legislative elections last December, has called for a recall referendum of President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro this year, consistent with Venezuela&rsquo;s constitution. In response, the government has been taking increasingly strong-armed measures such as tightening restrictions on the press and detaining political opponents&mdash;which have drawn criticism from the United States, the Organization of American States, and human rights groups. Panelists will discuss these developments and future scenarios on the day after the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.Speakers:Jorge Fernando Quiroga, former President of BoliviaMitzy Ledezma, Venezuelan Human Rights ActivistAna Julia Jatar, Editor-in-Chief, El Planeta, BostonEric Farnsworth, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the AmericasDaniel Calingaert, Executive Vice President, Freedom House

Please join the Council of the Americas and Freedom House for a public discussion on future scenarios for Venezuela, in light of mass protests that gripped the country on September 1. Low oil prices and gross economic mismanagement have crippled the Venezuelan economy, creating high inflation, food and medical shortages and increased violence. The political opposition, now in control of the National Assembly following legislative elections last December, has called for a recall referendum of President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro this year, consistent with Venezuela&rsquo;s constitution. In response, the government has been taking increasingly strong-armed measures such as tightening restrictions on the press and detaining political opponents&mdash;which have drawn criticism from the United States, the Organization of American States, and human rights groups. Panelists will discuss these developments and future scenarios on the day after the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Speakers:

Jorge Fernando Quiroga, former President of Bolivia

Mitzy Ledezma, Venezuelan Human Rights Activist

Ana Julia Jatar, Editor-in-Chief, El Planeta, Boston

Eric Farnsworth, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas

Daniel Calingaert, Executive Vice President, Freedom House

Venezuela's Choice: Democracy Or Authoritarianism?

.program-title-mp{ font-family: 'Freight Sans Pro SemiBold',Arial,sans-serif; color: #285892; font-size: 2em; } .thin-body-text{width: 750px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;} .session-number-mp{ color: #BE4B33; font-size: 1.5em; display: block; font-family: 'Freight Sans Pro Medium',Arial,sans-serif;} div.button-register{ margin-bottom: 5%;} div.button-register a{ color: #fff; background-color: #BE4B33; font-family: 'Freight Sans Pro Medium',Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 2em; padding: 10px; border-radius: 2px;} Revitalizing Democracy Support in Troubled Times Thursday, September 8, 2016 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. Freedom House 1850 M Street NW Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20036 The world has experienced a decade of decline in democracy, and the downward trajectory is accelerating. Nativist sentiments in the United States and Europe are weakening support for the liberal world order, while China is increasingly assertive in projecting its hard and soft power and its anti-democratic model. Citizen activism meanwhile offers new opportunities and innovation for change in repressive environments. The annual conference of the Mark Palmer Forum for the Advancement of Democracy will explore new policies and initiatives for these troubled times, with a focus on U.S. foreign policy, China, and citizen activism. Tweet with us at #democracyforum Register Now Event Program Watch Live! Livestream the event here: <a target="_blank" href="https://livestream.com/accounts/15526340/fhdemocracyforum2016" target="_blank">https://livestream.com/accounts/15526340/fhdemocracyforum2016</a> Morning Keynote Speaker — 9:00 a.m. The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Introduction by Mark P. Lagon, President, Freedom House Session 1 — 9:30 a.m. U.S. Policy in Defending Democracy Growing nativist sentiments and public skepticism about international engagement are limiting U.S. capacity to support democracy abroad, even as the EU increasingly turns inward and the liberal world order comes under growing strain. Given these constraints, how can the next U.S. administration best defend democracy? What are the most effective diplomatic initiatives and resource priorities? Panelists:  Richard Fontaine  President Center for a New American Security Shannon Green Director and Senior Fellow, Human Rights Initiative Center for Strategic and International Studies Suzanne Nossel Executive Director PEN American Center Moderator: Jackson Diehl  The Washington Post Coffee Break — 10:40 a.m. Session 2 — 10:50 a.m. China: Repression and Response Under President Xi Jinping, China has grown more repressive domestically and more assertive internationally in challenging democratic values. What do these trends portend for China’s future? How does repression in China affect U.S. interests? How can the United States and other democratic powers move to support human rights more effectively while maintaining dialogue with China? What can be done to better respond to the influence of China’s soft power? Panelists: Sarah Cook  Senior research analyst for East Asia Freedom House Andrew Nathan  Professor of Political Science Columbia University David Shambaugh  Director, China Policy Program George Washington University Rana Siu Inboden  Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law University of Texas at Austin Moderator: Mark P. Lagon  President Freedom House Lunch — 12:00 p.m. Afternoon Keynote Speaker — 12:30 p.m. The Honorable Gordon H. Smith President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters Introduction by Olin Wethington, Board Member, Freedom House Session 3 — 12:50 p.m. Citizen Activism in the Digital Age Political dynamism now emerges mainly from grassroots activism and informal networks, usually incubates and grows online, and often includes elements of artistic expression. This session features activists from different political environments providing show-and-tell of the cutting edge of modern activism. Panelists: Hala Aldosari  women’s right activist, Saudi Arabia Thandeka Kathi Senior Researcher, Local Government Programme Social Justice Coalition, South Africa Engin Önder  140journos, Turkey Moderator: Christian Caryl Managing Editor, Democracy Lab Foreign Policy Additional speakers will be added to the program. Register Now

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Revitalizing Democracy Support in Troubled Times 
 
 
 
 
Thursday, September 8, 2016 
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 
Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. 
 
 
 
 
Freedom House 
1850 M Street NW 
Suite 1100 
Washington, D.C. 20036 
 
 
 
The world has experienced a decade of decline in democracy, and the downward trajectory is accelerating. Nativist sentiments in the United States and Europe are weakening support for the liberal world order, while China is increasingly assertive in projecting its hard and soft power and its anti-democratic model. Citizen activism meanwhile offers new opportunities and innovation for change in repressive environments. The annual conference of the Mark Palmer Forum for the Advancement of Democracy will explore new policies and initiatives for these troubled times, with a focus on U.S. foreign policy, China, and citizen activism. 
Tweet with us at #democracyforum 
 
Register Now 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Event Program 
 
 
 
Watch Live! Livestream the event here: https://livestream.com/accounts/15526340/fhdemocracyforum2016 
 
Morning Keynote Speaker — 9:00 a.m. 
The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin 
Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
Introduction by Mark P. Lagon, President, Freedom House 
 
 
 
 
Session 1 — 9:30 a.m. 
U.S. Policy in Defending Democracy 
Growing nativist sentiments and public skepticism about international engagement are limiting U.S. capacity to support democracy abroad, even as the EU increasingly turns inward and the liberal world order comes under growing strain. Given these constraints, how can the next U.S. administration best defend democracy? What are the most effective diplomatic initiatives and resource priorities? 
 
Panelists:  
Richard Fontaine  
President 
Center for a New American Security 
 
Shannon Green 
Director and Senior Fellow, Human Rights Initiative 
Center for Strategic and International Studies 
 
Suzanne Nossel 
Executive Director 
PEN American Center 
 
Moderator: 
Jackson Diehl  
The Washington Post 
 
 
 
Coffee Break — 10:40 a.m. 
 
 
 
Session 2 — 10:50 a.m. 
China: Repression and Response 
Under President Xi Jinping, China has grown more repressive domestically and more assertive internationally in challenging democratic values. What do these trends portend for China’s future? How does repression in China affect U.S. interests? How can the United States and other democratic powers move to support human rights more effectively while maintaining dialogue with China? What can be done to better respond to the influence of China’s soft power? 
 
Panelists: 
Sarah Cook  
Senior research analyst for East Asia 
Freedom House 
 
Andrew Nathan  
Professor of Political Science 
Columbia University 
 
David Shambaugh  
Director, China Policy Program 
George Washington University 
 
Rana Siu Inboden  
Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law 
University of Texas at Austin 
 
Moderator: 
Mark P. Lagon  
President 
Freedom House 
 
 
 
Lunch — 12:00 p.m. 
 
 
 
Afternoon Keynote Speaker — 12:30 p.m. 
The Honorable Gordon H. Smith 
President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters 
Introduction by Olin Wethington, Board Member, Freedom House 
 
 
 
 
Session 3 — 12:50 p.m. 
Citizen Activism in the Digital Age 
Political dynamism now emerges mainly from grassroots activism and informal networks, usually incubates and grows online, and often includes elements of artistic expression. This session features activists from different political environments providing show-and-tell of the cutting edge of modern activism. 
 
Panelists: 
Hala Aldosari  
women’s right activist, Saudi Arabia 
 
Thandeka Kathi 
Senior Researcher, Local Government Programme 
Social Justice Coalition, South Africa 
 
Engin Önder  
140journos, Turkey 
 
Moderator: 
Christian Caryl 
Managing Editor, Democracy Lab 
Foreign Policy 
 
Additional speakers will be added to the program. 
 
Register Now

Revitalizing Democracy Support In Troubled Times

The Zambia Elections and Closing Democratic Space in Southern Africa An analysis of the recent Zambian elections and their relevance for observed political trends throughout the Southern African region. Tuesday, August 16, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. withPaul Graham, Project Director, Southern Africa, Freedom HouseChlo&euml; McGrath, Visiting Fellow, Atlantic CouncilSibusiso Nhlabatsi, Human Rights Lawyer and Young African Leaders Initiative FellowMooya Nyaundi, Staff Attorney for Sub-Saharan Africa, American Bar Association Center for Human RightsJeffrey Smith, Executive Director, Vanguard Africa MovementSydney Watae, Senior Program Manager, Southern &amp; East Africa, National Democratic InstituteLocation: International Republican Institute Ronald Reagan Events Center 1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20005 Zambians head to the polls on August 11, 2016 to participate in presidential, parliamentary and local elections, as well as a constitutional referendum that could potentially amend the Bill of Rights. The elections are expected to be a close two-party struggle between incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front Party and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development. Due to a constitutional amendment passed earlier this year, the winning presidential candidate must secure at least 50 percent of the vote, introducing the potential for a run-off contest. The political environment is tense, with outbreaks of violence between party supporters, government suppression of activists and the press, and accusations of election-rigging before the first vote has been cast. These developments have raised fears that the elections will not be free and fair, and come amid increasing political volatility in the region. From economic crisis in Zimbabwe, to media censorship in South Africa&rsquo;s local elections, to reignited conflict in Mozambique, to annulled Zanzibar elections last fall, there are serious challenges that put Southern Africa in an increasingly precarious position. Please join us to discuss these trends, challenges and the role of the international community in the region.

The Zambia Elections and Closing Democratic Space in Southern Africa An analysis of the recent Zambian elections and their relevance for observed political trends throughout the Southern African region. Tuesday, August 16, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with

Paul Graham, Project Director, Southern Africa, Freedom House

Chlo&euml; McGrath, Visiting Fellow, Atlantic Council

Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, Human Rights Lawyer and Young African Leaders Initiative Fellow

Mooya Nyaundi, Staff Attorney for Sub-Saharan Africa, American Bar Association Center for Human Rights

Jeffrey Smith, Executive Director, Vanguard Africa Movement

Sydney Watae, Senior Program Manager, Southern &amp; East Africa, National Democratic Institute

Location: International Republican Institute Ronald Reagan Events Center 1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20005 Zambians head to the polls on August 11, 2016 to participate in presidential, parliamentary and local elections, as well as a constitutional referendum that could potentially amend the Bill of Rights. The elections are expected to be a close two-party struggle between incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front Party and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development. Due to a constitutional amendment passed earlier this year, the winning presidential candidate must secure at least 50 percent of the vote, introducing the potential for a run-off contest. The political environment is tense, with outbreaks of violence between party supporters, government suppression of activists and the press, and accusations of election-rigging before the first vote has been cast. These developments have raised fears that the elections will not be free and fair, and come amid increasing political volatility in the region. From economic crisis in Zimbabwe, to media censorship in South Africa&rsquo;s local elections, to reignited conflict in Mozambique, to annulled Zanzibar elections last fall, there are serious challenges that put Southern Africa in an increasingly precarious position. Please join us to discuss these trends, challenges and the role of the international community in the region.

The Zambia Elections And Closing Democratic Space In  Southern Africa

The Mark Palmer Forum for the Advancement of Democracy presentsThe Venezuelan Crisis at a Turning Point: Future Prospects Thursday, May 26, 2016 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at noon Freedom House 1850 M St NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036 Please join us for a panel discussion on the current dynamics and possible directions of the crisis in Venezuela. The panel will assess the country's economic collapse, humanitarian crisis, political tensions, and the situation of political prisoners. Introductory Remarks:Mark P. Lagon President Freedom house Speakers:Gustavo Coronel Founding Board Member of Petroleos de Venezuela Venezuelan Geologist and Political Scientist   Diana Lopez Activist, Accion por la Libertad Sister of Leopoldo Lopez, prisoner of conscience Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg Founder and Chairman Strategic Investment Group Hector Schamis Georgetown University, Adjunct Professor El Pais, Columnist Moderator:Carlos Ponce Director for Latin America   Freedom House Click here to watch live

The Mark Palmer Forum for the Advancement of Democracy presentsThe Venezuelan Crisis at a Turning Point: Future Prospects 
 
Thursday, May 26, 2016 
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
Lunch will be served at noon 
 
Freedom House 
1850 M St NW 
Suite 1100 
Washington, DC 20036 
 
Please join us for a panel discussion on the current dynamics and possible directions of the crisis in Venezuela. The panel will assess the country's economic collapse, humanitarian crisis, political tensions, and the situation of political prisoners. 
 
 
 
Introductory Remarks:Mark P. Lagon 
President 
Freedom house 
 
Speakers:Gustavo Coronel 
Founding Board Member of Petroleos de Venezuela 
Venezuelan Geologist and Political Scientist 
 
  
 
Diana Lopez 
Activist, Accion por la Libertad 
Sister of Leopoldo Lopez, prisoner of conscience 
 
Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg 
Founder and Chairman 
Strategic Investment Group 
 
Hector Schamis 
Georgetown University, Adjunct Professor 
El Pais, Columnist 
 
Moderator:Carlos Ponce 
Director for Latin America 
 
  
Freedom House 
 
Click here to watch live

Adjunct Professor

The Venezuelan Crisis At A Turning Point: Future Prospects

#anniversary-fh-main-content-left{ float: left; width: 60%; margin-right: 5%; } #anniversary-fh-main-content-right{ float: left; width: 35%; background-color: #e3e2e2; } #anniversary-fh-main-content-right p{ font-family: 'Freight Sans Pro Book', Arial; } #anniversary-fh-main-content-right-under{ text-align: center; } p.anniversary-fh-title-event{ color: #004f94; font-size: 20px; border-bottom: solid 1px #004f94; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; } @media (max-width: 640px){ div#anniversary-fh-main-content-left, div#anniversary-fh-main-content-right{ float: inherit; width: inherit; } } p.anniversary-first-headline{ font-size: 2.2em; text-align: center; font-family: 'Freight Text Pro Bold', Arial, sans-serif; } figure.anniversary-figure{ display: inline-block; } figcaption.anniversary-figure{ text-align: center; font-size: 2em; text-decoration: underline; } #gala-button a{ background-color: #BE4B33; color: #fff; padding: 7px; border-radius: 2px; font-family: 'Freight Sans Pro Book', Arial; text-transform: uppercase; } 2016 marks the 75th Anniversary of Freedom House. Since 1941, Freedom House has been an unwavering advocate of democratic values around the globe. To celebrate this landmark achievement, we are holding a Gala Dinner on Tuesday, May 24, at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The centerpiece of the evening will be the presentation of our Freedom Award, an acknowledgement begun by Freedom House in 1943 to recognize outstanding leaders in the cause of freedom and democracy. Past Freedom Award recipients included Vaclav Havel, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Edward R. Murrow and Aung San Suu Kyi. A list of past winners can be found here. This event will also celebrate notable accomplishments by other individuals and organizations: Leadership Award recognizes an elected official who has championed policies that protect human rights defenders and promote democratic values and the rule of law. Corporate Award honors a business for its leadership and principled policies with regard to human rights. Freedom of Expression Award (Raising Awareness Award) is presented to those who have called attention to and influenced opinion on human rights abuses. Click here to read the press release. Event Detail Tuesday, May 24, 2016 The Newseum 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001 6:30 p.m. -- Cocktail Reception 7:30 p.m. -- Dinner and Program Purchase your tickets here! For more information, please contact Margaret Marshall at [email protected]/* */

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2016 marks the 75th Anniversary of Freedom House. Since 1941, Freedom House has been an unwavering advocate of democratic values around the globe. To celebrate this landmark achievement, we are holding a Gala Dinner on Tuesday, May 24, at the Newseum in Washington, DC. 
 
The centerpiece of the evening will be the presentation of our Freedom Award, an acknowledgement begun by Freedom House in 1943 to recognize outstanding leaders in the cause of freedom and democracy. Past Freedom Award recipients included Vaclav Havel, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Edward R. Murrow and Aung San Suu Kyi. A list of past winners can be found here. 
 
This event will also celebrate notable accomplishments by other individuals and organizations: 
 
 
Leadership Award recognizes an elected official who has championed policies that protect human rights defenders and promote democratic values and the rule of law. 
Corporate Award honors a business for its leadership and principled policies with regard to human rights. 
Freedom of Expression Award (Raising Awareness Award) is presented to those who have called attention to and influenced opinion on human rights abuses. 
 
Click here to read the press release. 
 
 
 
 
Event Detail 
 
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 
 
The Newseum 
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 
Washington, DC 20001 
 
6:30 p.m. -- Cocktail Reception 
7:30 p.m. -- Dinner and Program 
Purchase your tickets here! 
For more information, please contact Margaret Marshall at [email protected]/* */

2016 Gala Dinner

Join us for a discussion of the current state of press and internet freedom in China, how conditions have changed in recent months, and how current trends are impacting U.S. interests, both for the government and the private sector.Introductory Remarks: Representative Diane Black (R-TN-06)Panelists: Sarah Cook, Senior Research Analyst for East Asia, director&nbsp;of Freedom House&rsquo;s monthly China Media Bulletin, and author of&nbsp;The Politburo&#39;s Predicament, a report on repression under Xi Jinping.&nbsp;Kecheng Fang, former China-based journalist at one of the country&#39;s leading liberal publications and PhD student at the Annenberg School for&nbsp;Communication.Jesse Heatley, Director at Albright Stonebridge Group, former U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China researcher focused on free expression and rule of law.Moderator: Mark P. Lagon, President, Freedom HouseThis event will be closed to the press

Join us for a discussion of the current state of press and internet freedom in China, how conditions have changed in recent months, and how current trends are impacting U.S. interests, both for the government and the private sector.

Introductory Remarks: 
Representative Diane Black (R-TN-06)

Panelists: 
Sarah Cook, Senior Research Analyst for East Asia, director&nbsp;of Freedom House&rsquo;s monthly China Media Bulletin, and author of&nbsp;The Politburo&#39;s Predicament, a report on repression under Xi Jinping.&nbsp;

Kecheng Fang, former China-based journalist at one of the country&#39;s leading liberal publications and PhD student at the Annenberg School for&nbsp;Communication.

Jesse Heatley, Director at Albright Stonebridge Group, former U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China researcher focused on free expression and rule of law.

Moderator: 
Mark P. Lagon, President, Freedom House

This event will be closed to the press

Senior Research Analyst for East Asia

Director at Albright Stonebridge Group

President

Media Freedom In China: Recent Trends, Challenges, And Implications For U.S. Business Interests

Freedom of the Press 2016Wednesday, April 27, 20169:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.NewseumKnight Conference Center555 Pennsylvania Ave NWWashington, DC 20001Entrance located on 6th StreetGlobal press freedom declined to its lowest point in 12 years in 2015, as political, criminal, and terrorist forces sought to co-opt or silence the media in their broader struggle for power.Please join us for a discussion with a distinguished panel on the causes of the global decline in press freedom highlighted in the latest edition of Freedom of the Press. Join the conversation using #fhpressfreedom.Prior to the panel discussion, the Newseum will unveil the newly updated world press freedom map located in the Newseum’s Time Warner World News Gallery at 9:00 a.m. with introductory remarks by Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ), Jeffrey Herbst, president of the Newseum, and Mark P. Lagon, president of Freedom House. PanelistsAnna Therese Dayindependent journalistWill FitzgibbonreporterInternational Consortium of Investigative JournalistsRichard TofelGeneral ManagerProPublicaVanessa TuckerVice President for AnalysisFreedom HouseModeratorDana PriestPhilip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland Winner, Pulitzer Prize 2006, Washington PostClick here to watch live

Freedom of the Press 2016

Wednesday, April 27, 2016
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Newseum
Knight Conference Center
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001Entrance located on 6th Street

Global press freedom declined to its lowest point in 12 years in 2015, as political, criminal, and terrorist forces sought to co-opt or silence the media in their broader struggle for power.

Please join us for a discussion with a distinguished panel on the causes of the global decline in press freedom highlighted in the latest edition of Freedom of the Press. Join the conversation using #fhpressfreedom.

Prior to the panel discussion, the Newseum will unveil the newly updated world press freedom map located in the Newseum’s Time Warner World News Gallery at 9:00 a.m. with introductory remarks by Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ), Jeffrey Herbst, president of the Newseum, and Mark P. Lagon, president of Freedom House. 



PanelistsAnna Therese Day
independent journalist

Will Fitzgibbon
reporter
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists

Richard Tofel
General Manager
ProPublica

Vanessa Tucker
Vice President for Analysis
Freedom House

ModeratorDana Priest
Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland 
Winner, Pulitzer Prize 2006, Washington Post

Click here to watch live

Freedom Of The Press Report Launch

Please join us for a documentary film screening and discussion to follow: En el Medio&mdash;Los Silencios del Periodismo Colombiano Tuesday, April 5, 2016 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Freedom House 1850 M Street NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036 The film and discussion will be in Spanish The press in Colombia has historically faced severe restrictions, threats, and violence from a wide range of actors. The dangers involved in covering some stories, limited access to information, impediments to the exercise of free speech, and almost no state investment in the country&rsquo;s regions have contributed to making journalism a challenging endeavor in Colombia. FLIP, which has worked for 20 years to improve conditions for journalists and to advocate on behalf of free expression, produced the documentary &#39;En el medio - Los silencios del periodismo colombiano&#39; to recount the harsh challenges regional journalists in Colombia confront today. Participants: Jineth Bedoya Lima is a journalist in Colombia. In 2001, she was honored with the &ldquo;Courage in Journalism&rdquo; prize from the International Women&rsquo;s Media Foundation. She is currently the Deputy Editor for legal news for the newspaper El Tiempo. Pedro Vaca Villarreal is the Executive Director of the FLIP. He holds a Masters Degree in Law with a specialization in Constitutional Law. He is the attorney for the National University of Colombia.&nbsp; Richard V&eacute;lezis a Colombian journalist. While in exile, he won a case against the State. V&eacute;lez was beaten by uniformed officers and his camera was destroyed while recording peasant protests. The footage was recovered and used as evidence in his case.&nbsp; Moderator and Conclusion:&nbsp; Edison Lanza is the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

En El Medio—Los Silencios Del Periodismo Colombiano

The Catastrophic Collapse of Independent Media in Crimea: The Last Two Years and the Road Ahead Thursday, March 17, 2016 7:00 p.m. &ndash; 9:00 p.m.&nbsp;Wine and appetizers will be served Civic Hall, 156 Fifth Avenue &nbsp;Second Floor New York, NY 10010 In the two years after Russia annexed Crimea, key democratic institutions have suffered dramatically in a crackdown that has affected nearly every facet of Crimean society. Independent media and journalists have especially suffered as their work to report on social, economic, and political developments is perceived as threatening by de facto Crimean and Russian authorities.&nbsp; Freedom House, Razom for Ukraine,&nbsp;the VOLYA Institute for Contemporary Law and Society, and Human Rights House Network&nbsp;invite you to join us for a conversation with a group of human rights activists that are documenting the unfolding press freedom crisis in Crimea and supporting the few independent media outlets and journalists that are still able to operate. Michael Schwirtz, a New York-based New York Times journalist who has worked in Russia, Central Asia, and elsewhere in the region for the paper from 2006-2012 will facilitate the discussion and share his insights for media developments in the region. The conversation will provide an opportunity for visiting activists and the audience to discuss: The current state of affairs of media and the press in Crimea as well as what can be done to support these institutions The impact of propaganda on people in Crimea and elsewhere in Ukraine Western media coverage of the situation in Crimea, including on the human rights situation The challenges of working in and reporting on closed societies Roundtable Participants: Alim Aliiev, Co-founder of Crimea SOSTetiana Pechonchyk, Head of the Board of the Human Rights Information CentreOlga Skrypnyk, Head of Crimea Human Rights Group and AlmendaMichael Schwirtz, New York Times Journalist Participant Biographies:&nbsp; Alim Aliiev is a co-founder of Crimea SOS, an organization that started as a Facebook-civic group in February 2014 as the occupation of Crimea was under way. Crimea SOS now focuses on the realization and protection of the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected populations in Ukraine through social and humanitarian support, advocacy, and monitoring and documentation on human rights in Crimea. Mr. Aliiev is also a political scientist and media specialist, and has reported extensively on the occupation of Crimea, Crimean culture and social issues, and IDPs. In Lviv, Mr. Aliiev helped found Crimean House in Lviv, Ukraine, an organization aimed at maintaining and advancing Crimean Tatar culture. Tetiana Pechonchyk is Head of the Board of the Human Rights Information Centre (HRIC), an organization which monitors and documents human rights abuses in Crimea and across the mainland Ukraine. Since March 2014 HRIC in close partnership with Ukrainian, Russian, and other human rights groups and activists had coordinated the work of the Crimean Human Rights Field Mission (CHRFM), the only permanent international monitoring mission from civil society being present in occupied Crimea. Ms. Pechonchyk also specializes in supporting media and journalists working in Crimea. In addition to her human rights work, Ms. Pechonchyk has worked as a journalist for a number of the national media outlets. She has a PhD degree with a thesis devoted to the freedom of speech study in the Ukrainian mass media discourse.&nbsp; Olga Skrypnyk is Head of the Crimea Human Rights Group (CHRG) and Almenda, two initiatives focusing on supporting civil society in Crimea and promoting the observance and protection of human rights in Crimea by attracting wide attention to problems of human rights and international humanitarian law on the peninsula. Ms. Skrypnyk also serves as Head of the Public Council under the Ministry of Information Policy in Ukraine and formerly served as Senior Protection Assistant at UNHCR focusing on legal issues and IDPs. Ms. Skrypnyk has served as a senior lecturer on history, legal studies, and pedagogy at Crimean University for the Humanities in Yalta, and has led and been involved in several civic initiatives in Crimea, including the Docudays human rights film festival, human rights education initiatives, and independent media development. Michael Schwirtz is a reporter for The Times in New York. He joined the Moscow bureau of The Times in 2006, where he worked as a reporter and researcher until May 2012. For the last three years he have been investigating brutality and corruption at New York state prisons and Rikers Island. After studying Russian at the University of Central Florida, he spent a year in St. Petersburg and Kiev, where he had an internship with the United States Embassy. &nbsp;He returned two years later to earn a master&rsquo;s degree at the European University at St. Petersburg. Back in the United States, he researched political movements in the former Soviet Union for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, while studying for a master&rsquo;s degree in international relations at George Washington University.