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Topic:Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture
"Democracy: Traps and Question Marks"
with Adam Michnik, Editor-in-Chief, Gazeta Wyborcza
-Introductory remarks by The Honorable Zbigniew Brzezinsky
-Welcoming remarks by Wilson Center President and Director Lee Hamilton
Thursday, 3 December 2009, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
6th floor Flom Auditorium
Woodrow Wilson Center
Click here to RSVP.
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Visit the event page for more details, and to view the live webcast at the time of the event.
For over 40 years Adam Michnik has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to securing the rights and liberties of the Polish people and to the values of democracy. He was a founding member of the Komitet Obrony Robotników (Committee for the Defense of Workers) in 1976 and a prominent activist during the Solidarity movement of the 1980s. He participated in the Round Table Talks of 1989 and was later elected to Poland’s first non-communist parliament, where he served from 1989-1991. Michnik continues to promote democratic values as the Editor-in-Chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland’s largest daily newspaper. While he retired from active political life in 1991, Michnik remains one of Poland’s most prominent and influential people.
The purpose of the Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture is to bring visibility and international recognition to the ideas and accomplishments of individuals around the world who are working on behalf of democracy. The lecture strives to enrich the intellectual environment in which ideas about democracy and democratic change circulate, both within and beyond Washington. Sponsored by the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation (London, UK) and the Ratiu Center for Democracy (Turda, Romania,) the event expresses the deep commitment to democracy of the late Ion Ratiu through his contributions as a Romanian politician and intellectual as well as his interest in democratic change worldwide. The 2007 Ratiu Democracy Lecture was awarded to Anatoli Mikhailov of Belorussia, who discussed Democracy as a Challenge. The 2008 Ratiu Democracy Lecture was awarded to Eleonora Cercavschi of the Republic of Moldova, who discussed children’s rights and education.
The lecture will take place at the Woodrow Wilson Center, on December 3, 2009, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., in the 6th Floor Auditorium. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail IonRatiu-Lecture@wilsoncenter.org.
Recipients of the IRDL Prize
2008 - Eleonora Cercavschi, Moldova.
Introduction by The Honorable Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs. - Click here for more information on the 2008 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture.
2007 - Anatoli Mikhailov, Belarus.
Introductions by Aung Din, US Coalition for Burma, and David H. Swartz, former US Ambassador to Belarus. - Click here for more information on the 2007 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture.
2006 - Saad Ibrahim, Egypt.
Introduction by Amb. Akbar Ahmed, American University. - Click here for more information on the 2006 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture.
2005* - Sergio Aguayo, Mexico. Introduction by Hon. José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States.
* 2005 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture was organized and hosted at Georgetown University
Nomination and Selection Process
Every November the Wilson Center will host the Ratiu Democracy Lecture. The Ion Ratiu Democracy Award is given by the Board of the Ratiu Democracy Lecture, to an individual selected for their outstanding contribution to democracy.
The board of the IRDL is formed by former Ratiu Award recipients. Presently, the Foundation and the Wilson Center also have a representative on the board. The selection of candidates is made from a pool of qualified individuals whose accomplishments in defense and support of democracy have made them internationally recognizable. The ideal candidates will be thoughtful practitioners and engaged thinkers. The Foundation expects the primary focus to be on civil society leaders who are either established or emerging, though current or former government officials will be considered.
Recipients of the award will be hosted in Washington, DC by the Wilson Center for 7 days, to allow maximum interaction with and mutual benefit from academics, practitioners, Ratiu family members and Ratiu Foundation friends in the DC area.
While the nomination process is open to the public, the Wilson Center does not accept self-nominations for the Ratiu Award. Applications, on behalf of the candidates, should be made via e-mail to ionratiu-lecture@wilsoncenter.org or via mail to the History and Public Policy Program, Woodrow Wilson Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Nominations must include a 1-2 page letter of introduction of the nominee, as well as a resume. A collection of press articles highlighting the activity of the nominee is highly encouraged.
The Woodrow Wilson Center subscribes to a policy of equal educational and employment opportunities. Discrimination based upon race, creed, color, gender, sexual preference or physical status is not permitted.
Ion Augustin Nicolae Ratiu
 | Ion Augustin Nicolae Ratiu, born in Turda, Transylvania, on June 6, 1917, was the son of Augustin Ratiu, a successful lawyer, mayor, county prefect and great-grandnephew of Dr. Ioan Ratiu, the leader of the Romanian National Party. A promising law student, Ion Ratiu seemed destined for an academic career, but in 1938 he was commissioned as top cadet at the Artillery Military Academy in Craiova, and in April 1940 he joined Romania’s Foreign Service. He was sent to London as a chancellor at the Romanian Legation. The decision to align Romania with the Axis powers later in 1940 appalled Ion Ratiu, who resigned his post and obtained political asylum in Britain. He won a scholarship to study economics at St. John’s College, Cambridge. In 1945 Ion Ratiu married Elisabeth Pilkington in London. |
In exile in London after the communist takeover of Romania in 1946, Ion Ratiu threw himself into the struggle against communism, becoming a regular contributor to the Romanian Service of the BBC, Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. In 1957 his book “Policy for the West” was published, radically challenging contemporary western views of the nature of communism. He then went into shipping and later into real estate, where he accumulated considerable wealth. In 1975, the year he published another work, Contemporary Romania, Ion Ratiu decided to devote all his energy to the pursuit of a free Romania. Mr. Ratiu led the British – Romanian Association from 1965 to 1985 and played a key role in the setting up of the World Union of Free Romanians, of which he was elected president in 1984. After the fall of Ceausescu, he continued for some years to subsidize the publication outside Romania of the monthly Free Romanian, which he had launched in 1985. |
Ion Ratiu returned to Romania in 1990 to run for the presidency. Although he became member of the Romanian Parliament, and served as both Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies as well as Romania’s roving ambassador to NATO, his failure to win the presidency was a grave disappointment to many. Sympathizers continue to refer to him as “the best president Romania never had.” |
Ion Ratiu died in London surrounded by his family after a short illness, and in accordance with his wishes, was buried in January 2000 in his home town of Turda. His funeral was attended by over 10,000 people.
Partners
Ion and Elisabeth Ratiu established the Foundation in London, in 1979. The main objective of the Foundation is to promote and support projects which further education and research in the culture and history of Romania and its people. Projects, undertaken in Romania, are encouraged on different subjects, such as patrimony, civil society, democracy, civilization and environment protection. Grants are of variable size. |
The Ratiu Center for Democracy is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Transylvania, Romania. The Center, through its various projects, is seeking to promote the values of democracy, open society, and multiculturalism. |
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Events
Democracy: Traps and Question Marks
Thursday, December 03 2009, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Adam Michnik, political activist, retired member of Poland's first democratic parliament and Editor in Chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter
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Democracy and Freedom as Fundamental Human Rights
Thursday, December 04 2008, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Eleonora Cercavschi, human rights activist and the 2008 recipient of the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award; The Honorable Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs and Samuel Donaldson, Chairman of the Wilson Council
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Democracy as a Challenge - The 2007 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture, with Anatoli Mikhailov
Thursday, November 15 2007, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Ion Ratiu Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2007 recipient of the Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture Award is Professor Anatoli Mikhailov. Professor Mikhailov is one of the leading personalities fighting for democracy in Belarus. Dr. Mikhailov's lecture is entitled "Democracy as a Challenge".
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The 2006 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture: Are There Democracy Lessons Arabs Can Learn From Eastern Europe?
Thursday, November 30 2006, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lecture by Dr. Saad Ibrahim, American University in Cairo, Recipient of the 2006 Ion Ratiu Democracy Award; Introduction by Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, American University
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History and Public Policy Program
Woodrow Wilson Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-3027
Email: happ@wilsoncenter.org
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