Prague Charter
|
Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies An Unprecedented Meeting of Dissidents and Policy-Makers
The Conference on Democracy and Security convened in Prague in early June, 2007 was an unprecedented success. Held in the presence of President of the United States George W. Bush, the gathering saw international dissidents conversing with global leaders, one another and more than one hundred and fifty members of the worlds’ media.
Organized by the Institute for Strategic Studies, active at the Shalem Center at the time, together with the Foundation for Social Analysis and Studies in Madrid, the conference assembled dissidents from across the globe to explore the role of democratization in today’s political reality and how world leaders can promote peaceful resolutions to conflicts through dissident movements. The conference aimed to open new ties– personally, politically and practically–between disparate dissident groups united by a commitment to democracy and freedom.
Dissidents of the world unite "An unprecedented and potentially historic conference took place last week in Prague. Unprecedented, because a number of dissidents struggling to bring democracy and human rights to their own countries had an opportunity to interact directly with political and intellectual leaders in the free world? President George W. Bush, who put the democracy agenda back on the world stage after 9/11, came to Prague to renew the commitment he made in his second inaugural address to work toward "ending tyranny in our world" and met with each and every dissident. The conference was potentially historic for the opportunity it provides to establish a new relationship between democratic and non-democratic governments. It will be argued that a few dozen dissidents spread across the globe have very little power. Yet I know from experience that dissidents are as powerful as the free world allows them to be." To read the full text of Natan Sharansky's op-ed, click here.
The Prague Charter, adopted by all conference attendees, encourages governments in the free world to affirm the fight for democracy in the face of tyranny. To read the full text of the Prague Charter, click here.
Keynote Speaker U.S. Senator Lieberman The personal heroism of many of the dissidents present, reflected U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, showed that "a single human face can tear down the faceless inhumanity of an entire regime." To read the full text of Senator Lieberman's speech, click here.
United States President George W. Bush
Watch U.S. President Bush's keynote address
Media:
Behind the Lines: Putting 'moral clarity' in context By Anshel Pfeffer, The Jerusalem Post June 7, 2007
Shah's exiled son: Don't attack Iran Lily Galili, Ha'aretz June 10, 2007
Natan Sharansky - Iran will bring on nuclear catastrophe to enter "paradise" By Rob Cameron, Radio Praha June 6, 2007
Visit the conference website democracyandsecurity.org for more information on the Prague Charter, transcripts of remarks by the speakers, conference recordings and other links.
|
