National Endowment for Democracy

“[The Venezuelan people] have demonstrated that the spirit of democracy cannot be extinguished, no matter how difficult the path.” Grammy-winning Venezuelan musician Saúl Vera spoke at the 2024 NED Democracy Awards during a special tribute to the people of Venezuela. Composer, Bandola & Mandolin virtuoso Saúl Vera, born in Caracas, Venezuela, leads the acclaimed "Saul Vera Ensemble" since 1986, blending academic and traditional music approaches. Projecting Venezuelan Bandola internationally, sharing stages with icons like Paco de Lucía, has earned him awards like the "Proyecto Eco" and diplomas from Grammy-winning projects such as Franco de Vita's "En Primera Fila" and Marc Anthony's "For Babies". Since 1989, his diverse discography fuses Venezuelan music with global sounds, highlighted by the acclaimed 'TOCANDO TIERRA' (1999). In 2000, he premiered his groundbreaking 'Concert for Bandola Llanera & Orchestra.' Relocating to Miami in 2010, he founded Kalos Music & Art School, enriching both local and global music scenes with his expertise. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“Today’s challenges mean we must work in common cause to go on offense to renew democracy… In the face of these evolving challenges, NED remains laser-focused on our singular mission of supporting freedom, helping ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy Damon Wilson opened the 2024 NED Democracy Awards with welcome remarks. NED paid tribute to courageous partners from Sudan, Tibet, and Ukraine at the 2024 Democracy Awards on Thursday, June 13, 2024. The evening event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also included a presentation of NED’s Democracy Service Medals recognizing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and democracy leaders from Russia, Tibet, and Belarus. The program featured a special tribute to the people of Venezuela. Guests included democracy advocates and supporters from around the world, representatives from Congress and the administration, and members of the media. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“There are times when our awardees represent the celebratory side of the democracy story. But tonight, we are reminded of a different side of the story: the hard reality that the democracy struggle continues in far too many places.” Chair of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) board of directors Kenneth Wollack delivered remarks at the 2024 NED Democracy Awards. Hear about NED’s work to support democracy activists in the world’s most challenging places. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“Speaker Pelosi has not only been a friend of Tibet, but she is a friend of all oppressed people.” Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, presented the 2024 Democracy Service Medal to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Hear how Speaker Pelosi has stood up against authoritarianism. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“Leader McConnell and his staff…have given our movement and many other democratic forces around the world a voice in the halls of the United States Congress.” Minister of Human Rights for the National Unity Government of Burma Aung Myo Min presented the 2024 Democracy Service Medal to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Hear about Leader McConnell’s commitment to democratic movements around the world. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“[Vladimir Kara-Murza] and Evgenia deserve this award because they have stood up against the most imposing forces.” U.S. Representative Steve Cohen presented the 2024 Democracy Service Medal to advocacy director of the Free Russia Foundation (FRF) Evgenia Kara-Murza, and Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza (in absentia). Hear about Evgenia and Vladimir Kara-Murza’s courageous work to support the democracy movement and raise awareness for political prisoners in Russia. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“Tibet’s leaders, particularly those in the Tibetan government-in-exile have done remarkable work to keep hope alive among their countrymen.” U.S. Representative and member of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) board of directors Joaquin Castro presented the 2024 Democracy Service Medal to Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration. Hear about the sikyong’s efforts to halt the erasure of Tibetan culture and identity. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal

“There’s one thing worse than suffering and the worse thing than suffering is suffering in anonymity, when nobody knows what’s going on.” Former U.S. Representative Peter Roskam, Member of the National Endowment of Democracy’s Board of Directors, presented the 2024 NED Democracy Award to Tibet Action Institute (TAI). Hear how TAI brought to light the comprehensive agenda of cultural erasure happening in Chinese colonial boarding schools in Tibet. #DemocracyAwards

“The world is in a war we did not choose, between dictators with 'rule of gun' invading democracies with rule of law.” U.S. Representative Joe Wilson presented the 2024 NED Democracy Award to Kateryna Rashevska, legal expert with Kyvi-based Regional Center for Human Rights (RCHR). Hear how RCHR is holding Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvov-Belova accountable for the kidnapping and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. #DemocracyAwards

“Sviatlana is driven by a calling to unite us, not divide us. And she is driven by the belief that democracy and human rights are for everyone.” U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen presented the 2024 NED Democracy Service Medal to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Free Belarus. Hear how Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is fighting for a democratic Belarus. #DemocracyAwards #DemocracyServiceMedal Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya