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Press Release

Authoritarian Regimes and Democracy Conference

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Washington, DC – December 1, 2008 – In conjunction with this year’s Human Rights Day celebrating dignity and justice for all, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Democracy and Governance Program at Georgetown University hosts a conference on challenges posed by authoritarian regimes to US foreign policy and democracy assistance.  

The conference is titled Authoritarian Cooperation, U.S. Foreign Policy and Democracy, and will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. 

Through panel discussions, experts will address emerging cooperation among authoritarian regimes and options for reshaping democracy assistance programs.  

Featured speakers include: Dan Brumberg (Georgetown University and Special Adviser to United States Institute for Peace), Thomas Carothers (Carnegie Endowment, Vice President), Larry Diamond (National Endowment for Democracy and Hoover Institution), Michele Dunne (Carnegie Endowment, Senior Associate), Gerald Hyman (Center for Strategic and International Studies, Senior Adviser), Tom Melia (Freedom House), Carina Perelli (IFES, Executive Vice President) and Gerard Stoudmann (IFES, Executive Advisory Council).  

The Economist’s “World in 2008” report notes most authoritarian governments are located within the Middle East and Africa, with a fair number in Asia. As the US refines its foreign policy in light of global terrorism and weak democracies, it is time to rethink how the US approaches democracy assistance. 

Jamie Dettmer, Communication Director

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The International Foundation for Electoral Systems is an independent, non-governmental organization providing professional support to electoral democracy. Through field work, applied research and advocacy, we strive to promote citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in political life and civil society.

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