How has Europe changed since the Iron Curtain lifted?

Left to right: Robert Benjamin, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe Programs, and Zuzana Papazoski, Resident Director for Czech Repulic, Slovakia, and Poland

In our second Demworks episode recorded in Berlin, NDI’s director for Central and Eastern Europe, Rob Benjamin talks to Zuzana Papazoski, who currently runs NDI’s programs in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Three decades after the Iron Curtain was lifted, they discuss the dramatic revolutions and democratic change that swept across Europe. How were they driven in great part by young people?

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30 years since the Berlin Wall fell, progress for democracy continues

Madeleine K. Albright visits the crumbled remains of the Berlin Wall to mark the 30th anniversary of its fall.

Last week marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Amid the remembrances, debates over "what went wrong" and doubt about democracy's promise in some quarters almost seemed to overshadow the celebrations.

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Reflecting on the fall of the Berlin Wall, 30 years on (w/ Brian Atwood & Ken Wollack)

Left to right: Former NDI President Brian Atwood, Current NDI President Derek Mitchell, Former NDI President Kenneth Wollack

In this special episode of Demworks, NDI President Derek Mitchell is joined by his predecessors at NDI, Brian Atwood and Ken Wollack. The three discuss the years before and after November 9, 1989, the day the Berlin Wall fell. Together on this anniversary, they take stock, talking about the evolution of NDI’s work around this period, discussing the specific cases that helped shape the Institute, and reflecting on lessons learned given the state of democracy today.

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Is Democracy in Europe Delivering?

Anne Applebaum joins us for the Demworks podcast, "Is Democracy in Europe Delivering?"

Next month marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Democracy looked much different in 1989 than it does today. How has democracy changed in Eastern Europe since the bold steps it took in the region three decades ago?

In this Demworks podcast, NDI President Derek Mitchell sits down with Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, analyst, professor, and historian, Anne Applebaum to discuss the current state of democracy in Eastern Europe, and what its future looks like. #Listen to this engaging #podcast as they discuss the importance of citizen participation and political awareness in democracies today.

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