Historic Conference of Pro-Democracy Activists and World Leaders Commences This Week in Prague
WASHINGTON, PRAGUE, Czech Republic, and JERUSALEM, Israel, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center and its partner organizations, the Prague Security Studies Institute and the Foundation for Social Analysis and Studies in Madrid, have announced the speakers and program for the first-ever conference designed to bring democratic dissidents and activists from around the world together with leading politicians of democratic nations.
The conference, “Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies,” is being held in Prague, Czech Republic from June 4-6, 2007. The historic gathering will examine how world leaders and democratic nations can support pro-democracy activists, the challenges recent events in the Middle East present to the spread of human rights and further freedoms, ways to promote democracy in totalitarian regimes, and the role of dissidents in that process.
U.S. President George W. Bush will address the conference. Participants include the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), as well as the organizers — former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, and former Israel Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky.
“Never in the history of the fight for freedom have pro-democracy dissidents had the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss visions — in such a public forum — with fellow dissidents and policymakers from around the globe,” stated Natan Sharansky, founding chairman of the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center. “We have assembled dissidents from around the world to make it clear to all skeptics that the desire for freedom knows no borders.”
EVENT SUMMARY WHAT: President Bush and other world leaders will attend a conference on “Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies,” hosted by The Adelson Institute of Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center, the Prague Security Studies Institute, and the Foundation for Social Analysis and Studies in Madrid. WHEN: June 4-6, 2007 WHERE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Prague WHO: The Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States will address the conference. — Natan Sharansky, founding chairman of the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center and internationally renowned human rights activist, political leader, and author — Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic and leader of the “Velvet Revolution” — Jose Maria Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain — President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves — U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman
The Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center is a Jerusalem-based think tank that develops, articulates and builds support for strategic principles needed to address the challenges currently facing Israel and the West. The institute explores topics ranging from democracy and security, to nationalism, terror and identity.
The Shalem Center is a non-partisan, privately funded academic research institute that supports original research in fields most crucial to the public life of Israel, the Jewish people and the West. Through its publications, public lectures, private seminars, and student programs, the Shalem Center has brought together thinkers, opinion-setters, policy-makers and future leaders to discuss issues of common concern to the Jewish state, the Jewish nation and the world.
You can find out more information about the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center and about the “Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies” conference at http://www.adelsoninstitute.org/ .
U.S. Contact: Angelo Terrana Phone: 202-974-5099 TerranaA@ruderfinn.com Prague Contact: Megan McDonald Phone: 0 779 554 3458 McdonaldM@ruderfinn.com Rest-of-World Contact: Dani Wassner Phone: +972-54-467-6961 wassnerd@ruderfinn.com
A delayed broadcast of the conference will also be available at http://www.fora.tv/ by June 8.
Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center
CONTACT: U.S.: Angelo Terrana, +1-202-974-5099, TerranaA@ruderfinn.com,Prague: Megan McDonald, + 0 779 554 3458, McdonaldM@ruderfinn.com; orRest-of-World: Dani Wassner, + 972-54-467-6961, wassnerd@ruderfinn.com, allfor the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center
Web site: http://www.adelsoninstitute.org/