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IFES Honors Political Finance Expert with Baxter Award

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WASHINGTON — Delia Ferreira Rubio, an internationally recognized expert in political finance and advocate for transparency in government, will receive the 2011 Joe C. Baxter Award from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

The award is given annually to a professional whose work epitomizes IFES’ mission to promote participation, transparency and accountability in political life and civil society. Ferreira will receive the award Dec. 8 at a reception at the National Press Club in Washington.

“Delia’s passion and expertise make her a unique authority in the field of political finance and accountability,” said IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney. “She has made extraordinary contributions to promoting disclosure and regulation of political finance as central elements of effective electoral administration around the world.”

Ferreira is a member of the board of directors at Transparency International (TI) and past president of Poder Ciudadano, TI’s national chapter in her native Argentina. She has worked on anti-corruption and transparency issues with the United Nations Development Programme, the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank, IFES and other nongovernmental organizations. She is the author of numerous publications on democratic culture and political institutions, comparative politics, government by decree, public and parliamentary ethics, political financing, and electoral systems.

Between 1990 and 2005, Ferreira served as chief advisor for several National Congress representatives and senators in Argentina and also advised the Constitutional Committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate. She holds a law degree from Córdoba National University Law School in Argentina and a Ph.D. in law from Complutense University in Madrid, Spain.

“This award reinforces my commitment to the fight for democracy, transparency and political accountability,” said Ferreira. “This is a never-ending task, particularly in countries where democratic values are not at the top of the agenda.

“That’s the challenge many of us have to face — making people realize that fair elections, strong institutions, transparency and political accountability are not just abstract ideas, but the foundations for a better life for all members of a community.”

The Baxter Award is given in memory of longtime IFES employee Joe C. Baxter, who directed IFES’ work in Ghana and was respected internationally for his expertise and commitment to promoting democratic rights. Previous recipients include elections expert Rafael López-Pintor and Ghanaian electoral commission Chairman Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.

 

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IFES is an independent, nonprofit leader in election assistance and democracy promotion. Since its founding in 1987, IFES has worked in 133 countries, from developing to mature democracies.