Four Tunisians -- Yassine Brahim, Rafik Halouani, Wafa Makhlouf and Sayida Ounissi -- will receive the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) 2015 Democracy Award at a dinner on Tuesday, November 10. These courageous Tunisian leaders represent civic groups and political parties that embody the spirit of the National Dialogue acknowledged today in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Tunisia shows that democratic change is not an elusive goal in the Middle East and North Africa; it takes persistence, inclusivity and compromise,” said former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, NDI’s chairman. “The biggest challenge today is to meet the expectations for tangible improvements in the daily lives of the Tunisian people. Those who are advancing the promise of democracy in Tunisia deserve strong and sustained international support.”

In its announcement, the Nobel Committee said that it "hopes that this year's prize will contribute towards safeguarding democracy in Tunisia and be an inspiration to all those who seek to promote peace and democracy in the Middle East, North Africa, and the rest of the world."  

Through civil society, political parties and government, all four honorees are working to realize the promise of the Tunisian revolution, and to make democracy work for its people.

The NDI Democracy Award is presented annually to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to democracy and human rights.

The event will also honor United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres for his tireless efforts to resettle Syrian refugees who are fleeing violence and persecution. Guterres was a leading political figure in the democratic transition of his own country of Portugal, and has dedicated his career to advancing the principles of democracy and human rights around the world.

“As someone who fled both communist and Nazi occupation of my country of birth, I understand that the refugees from Syria are fleeing to Europe not just to escape persecution, but also to find stability, dignity and freedom -- three things that only democracies can provide. The refugee crisis is a result of the failure of dictatorship,” Albright said.

The dinner will be held at the Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. The reception will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Click here to learn more about the honorees and follow the discussion on Twitter at #DemocracyAward.

WHAT: NDI’s 2015 annual Democracy Dinner

WHEN: Tuesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

SPEAKERS:

• High Commissioner António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• Yassine Brahim, Tunisian Minister for Development, Investment and International Cooperation; President of the Afek Tounes Party in Tunisia
• Rafik Halouani, President of Mourakiboun Network, a leading election observation network in Tunisia.
• Wafa Makhlouf, Member of the Tunisian Assembly of Representatives of the People
• Sayida Ounissi, Member of the Tunisian Assembly of Representatives of the People

Published on October 9, 2015