Welcome by Ambassador Andrew Bremberg, President and CEO, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Remarks by Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation Trustee & Harvard University’s JFK Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Senior Fellow in the “Future of Diplomacy Project”

Remarks by Lisa Peterson, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State

Remarks by Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, Chairman, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Panel: Freedom of the Press vs. State Control

The fourth estate has played a vital role in protecting democracy, but recently states have worked to both repress and coopt the news. In many places around the world journalists face threats to their safety simply for telling the truth. At the same time, authoritarians are building a new, perverse kind of propaganda apparatus that is meant to resemble traditional news media. This panel will explore how the position of the press greatly affects the degree to which a captive nation is free.

• Daniel Garrett, Ph.D., author, photographer, political scientist, and visual sociologist
• Myroslava Gongadze, Ukrainian journalist and political activist
• Brian Whitmore, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center
• Milda Mataciunaite-Boyce, Director of Fellowship Programs, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (moderator)

Panel: The Role of Dissidents in Gaining Freedom

Throughout history dissidents have played a central role in propelling captive nations toward freedom. It is because of their sacrifices that millions of people are able to embrace freedom in nations that used to toil under the boot of communism. Today, many dissidents around the world continue to bear the burden of advancing freedom for their people. This panel will explore the role dissidents have played and continue to play in driving captive nations toward freedom. 

• Amb. Martin Palouš, Director, Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy at Florida International University
• Dr. Elizabeth Spalding, Senior Fellow, Pepperdine University School of Public Policy & Vice Chairman, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
• John Suarez, Executive Director, Center for a Free Cuba
• Dr. Jianli Yang, Founder and President, Citizen Power Initiatives for China
• Kristina Olney, Director of Government Relations, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (moderator)

The U.S. and its allies have the power and obligation to uphold the international human rights regime. The past decades have seen the slow expansion of human rights across the globe thanks to the efforts of freedom-loving countries, however the rise of authoritarian powers may threaten to roll back these gains. This panel will explore the role the international community plays in affecting the human rights of people of captive nations. 

• Rushan Abbas, Founder and Director, Campaign for Uyghurs
• Francisco Marquez Lara, D.C. Office Director, LLYC
• Dr. Suzanne Scholte, President, Defense Forum Foundation
• Dr. Carlos Ponce, Senior Fellow & Director of Latin American Programs, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (moderator)

Dissident Human Rights Award Ceremony
Awarded to the San Isidro Movement
Presented by Dr. Lee Edwards, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Remarks by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

Remarks by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL)

Remarks by Rosa María Payá, Promoter, Cuba Decide

Event Concludes