Washington, D.C. – Today, the International Republican Institute (IRI) released the following statement by President Daniel Twining after the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) announced Damon Wilson as its next president.

“Congratulations to Damon Wilson on being selected as the next president of the National Endowment for Democracy. As great-power authoritarians in China and Russia pursue strategies to erode the free and open world, and as autocrats from Belarus to Burma seek to crush their people’s natural aspirations for democratic dignity, the work of the NED could not be more important. Damon’s energy, dynamism, and commitment to political liberty will serve the endowment well. IRI looks forward to strengthening our partnership with the NED under its new leadership to advance democracy worldwide.

“IRI would also like to thank Carl Gershman for his extraordinary service to the cause of political freedom. Carl has worked tirelessly over the last 38 years to answer President Reagan’s call to foster a global campaign for democracy. A pioneer and founding father of the global democracy movement, he is the embodiment of the NED, and an inspiration to us all. His legacy will live on among free people everywhere.”

Established in 1983, the International Republican Institute is a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy alongside the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and the Solidarity Center.

Up ArrowTop