Amanda Schnetzer, who formerly served as director of studies and senior fellow with Freedom House and most recently as president of the Dallas...
Amanda Schnetzer, who formerly served as director of studies and senior fellow with Freedom House and most recently as president of the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, will join The George W. Bush Institute as the first program director for human freedom. Schnetzer brings more than a decade of experience to The Bush Institute’s initiatives supporting pro-freedom activists and dissidents.
“The Bush Institute’s dedication to democracy through nonviolent means and embrace of pro-democracy dissidents recognizes a universal desire for basic human freedoms,” said Schnetzer. “I am honored to join the effort to support and highlight the work of brave activists around the world.”
At Freedom House in New York, Schnetzer guided research, methodology, and outreach activities for the organization’s definitive studies of human freedom. At the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., she conducted in-depth research on U.S. foreign policy, human freedom, and the impact of ideas and values on international politics. She also directed programming for the New Atlantic Initiative, which engaged the new democracies of Eastern Europe and championed their entry into NATO and the European Union. Since 2005, she has led the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, which serves as a resource on global policy matters for North Texas business and community leaders.
“President and Mrs. Bush’s unwavering commitment to freedom for all people encourages individual men and women around the world and inspires the Institute’s work on this global challenge,” said James K. Glassman, Executive Director of the Bush Institute. “The Bush Institute works to embolden dissidents and freedom advocates, creating a powerful network for moral support and education, and we are pleased to have Amanda Schnetzer’s significant experience to lead and guide that effort.”
Human freedom, as well as education reform, global health, and economic growth make up the four areas of engagement for The Bush Institute. Schnetzer’s initial focus will be on the release of the Freedom Collection, which presents the personal stories of struggle and achievement told by the men and women who led freedom movements from the last century through present day; development of an annual conference for pro-democracy dissidents; and creation of a video series on effective dissent. Schnetzer joins The Bush Institute’s two visiting fellows in human freedom: Oscar Morales of Colombia, who launched a powerful movement online against the FARC terrorist organization and Mohsen Sazegara, a major figure in the Green Movement in Iran.
The Institute’s work on human freedom complements the Women’s Initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, which promotes women’s rights in the Middle East and advances social and economic opportunities for women and children around the world.
About the George W. Bush Institute:
The George W. Bush Institute’s mission is to unleash human potential around the world through expanding human freedom, educational reform, global health, and economic growth. In all its programming, the Institute seeks to empower women and social entrepreneurs as proven agents of change in society. The Institute is part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the Presidential library, located on the campus of SMU in Dallas. For more information, please visit www.bushcenter.com.
