The former President of East Timor and Club de Madrid Member, José Manuel Ramos-Horta has just been elected Chairperson of the World Movement’s Democracy Steering Committee.
World Movement Democracy is a group of 30 individuals supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, who represent democracy scholars, activists, journalists, and politicians from around the globe committed to advancing democracy. All members of the Steering Committee are leaders in their respective fields, like President Ramos-Horta, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. They advise the World Movement Democracy’s network of activists and bring multidisciplinary insight into the organization’s work.
“During the unique circumstances that the COVID pandemic has imposed on the world,” Ramos-Horta remarked, “we need to work harder than ever to ensure that the ideals of democratic society—such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly & association, rule of law—are defended and renewed. The work of networks of democracy and human rights activists like the World Movement for Democracy is essential to protecting those freedoms where they exist, and providing hope where people are still striving to achieve them. In my own country, I’ve seen the importance of global solidarity in our struggle for freedom, and so I’m excited by the opportunity to help keep the spirit of global solidarity among democrats
Ramos-Horta succeeds Zainab Hawa Bangura, who served as Chairperson for four years before becoming Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi.
The World Movement for Democracy is excited to welcome Jose Ramos-Horta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and former president of Timor-Leste (East Timor), as the new Chairperson of our Steering Committee. Learn more about Mr. Ramos-Horta here: https://t.co/hKrlOJGAMa pic.twitter.com/9D0iccvn7c
— World Movement (@MoveDemocracy) June 18, 2020