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Dear Friends,

NDI hosted our annual Democracy Award Dinner on Tuesday to recognize three
remarkable individuals working to further the cause of democracy in
Ukraine.

To those of you who were able to attend, we say thank you for joining us.
For those of you who were not there, we want to introduce you to three
young activists -- Hanna Hopko, Serhiy Leshchenko and Oleksandr Solontay --
who have transitioned from Ukraine's historic street protests a year ago to
the political arena.

Vice President Joe Biden opened the event, giving a stirring tribute to the
fortitude and bravery of all of Ukraine's new democrats. "These people have
braved snipers' bullets and freezing cold to win for themselves a chance to
fundamentally alter their country for the better," he said.

NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright praised the courageous awardees for
deciding to run for public office, reminding the audience, "It is harder,
and riskier, to decide that you are willing to do the unglamorous work
necessary to govern. But it is the only way to implement lasting change."

I invite you to learn more about the evening here. [1]

Each of the honorees had achieved prominence in their respective fields
before the political situation in Ukraine prompted them to take part in the
Euromaidan demonstrations that led to the fall of the country's autocratic
government earlier this year. They have now entered into the political
arena. Two of them -- Hopko and Leshchenko -- were elected to parliament on
political party lists on Oct. 26, and Hopko is now the chairman of the
Foreign Affairs Committee of Ukraine's parliament, the Rada. Leshchenko
will serve on the committee charged with combating corruption.

While Ukraine faces severe challenges -- political, economic and security
-- the efforts of this new generation of democrats give hope for a better
future for the country. Their story proves that fundamental human rights
can be secured when citizens are empowered to hold their governments
accountable. Our honorees also remind us that building and maintaining
democracies requires a sustained commitment -- each and every day.

Thank you for continuing to stand with NDI. Without your support for our
mission, our work to build and strengthen democracies with our partners
around the world would not be possible.

With best regards,

Kenneth Wollack
President, National Democratic Institute
Follow me on Twitter: @kwollack [2]

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Links:
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