“Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery. Liberty will come to those who love it.”
— President George W. Bush, 2nd Inaugural Address
Session Videos
A Conversation with Indra Nooyi, 2024 George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership and Ken Hersh, CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center
Keynote Conversation with William J. Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: Challenges Facing a World Transformed
- William J. Burns, Director, Central Intelligence Agency
- David J. Kramer, Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute
Conversation One: Voices of Freedom, with an introduction by Ken Hersh, CEO of the Bush Center
When freedom is under attack, oppressed people’s most powerful tool is often their voice and the voices of others. Brave individuals rise up and risk their safety and comfort to demand respect for human rights and speak truth to power every day. This panel features activists pushing back against authoritarian threats around the world.
- Pashtana Durrani, Founder and Executive Director, LEARN Afghanistan
- Joseph Kim, Program Manager, Global Policy and Expert-in-Residence, George W. Bush Institute
- Alice Zhuravel, Ukrainian Social Entrepreneur and Innovator
- Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Director, Global Policy, George W. Bush Institute (Moderator)
Conversation Two: Human Rights and the New Global Order
America’s role in the world leads to competition and clashes with Russia and China, including when it comes to promoting values of human dignity and personal freedoms. Top minds on this issue will discuss how human rights and democracy factor into the great power competition.
Testimonial
- Seohyun Lee, North Korean Human Rights Advocate
Panelists
- Ambassador Mark Green, President, Director, and CEO, Wilson Center
- William Inboden, Professor and Director, Alexander Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education, University of Florida
- Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Executive Vice President, Freedom House and the Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow, George W. Bush Institute
- Igor Khrestin, The Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director, Global Policy, George W. Bush Institute (Moderator)
Awarding of the George W. Bush Institute Citation
Remarks by Hannah Sklar, Executive Director, Creamos
Conversation Three: Protecting Religious Liberties
While foundational to the beliefs of our nation, religious freedom is still denied to many around the globe. This conversation dives into the global significance of this liberty and its domestic importance for our pluralistic society.
Testimonial
- Vishal Amin, General Manager of Defense Security Solutions, Microsoft
Panelists
- Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director, Campaign for Uyghurs
- David French, Opinion Columnist, The New York Times
- Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director, ADL
- Chris Walsh, Director, Global Policy, George W. Bush Institute (Moderator)
Thank you to our generous Forum on Leadership underwriters
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