World Learning Democracy Conference Marks Berlin Wall Anniversary

The 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall set the stage for World Learning’s 2009 Democracy Fellows Program Annual Conference in Washington. The conference on November 9-10 featured presentations from two prominent democracy development experts, National Endowment for Democracy President Carl Gershman, and Thomas O. Melia, deputy executive director for Freedom House. World Learning’s program places experienced democracy and governance professionals within the Washington bureaus and field missions of the United States Agency for International Development, one of the government entities that provide economic development and humanitarian assistance worldwide. Read the press release.

Photos from Democracy Fellows Conference:

NED President Carl Gershman says successful democracy promotion requires a long-term and pragmatic approach that empowers civil society and partners with international allies in the field.	Democracy fellows Altin Ilirjani and Edward Gonzalez participate in the question and answer period following Gershman’s remarks.
Current democracy fellow Mark Billera and alumna Nicole Barnes discuss their common interest in Africa at the opening session of the conference.	Freedom House Deputy Executive Director Thomas O. Melia and democracy fellow John Buchanan discuss the impact that foreign assistance restructuring could have on democracy advocates worldwide.
Democracy fellows Jean Garland and Tamaira Rivera put finishing touches on their rule of law presentation.

For more information about World Learning’s international development programs, visit our website, or contact Laura Ingalls at laura.ingalls@worldlearning.org or 1.202.464.6973.