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IFES Thanks Board Members for Service and Commitment to Democracy

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CONTACT: Daniela Colaiacovo, dcolaiacovo@ifes.org, +1 (202) 350-6802

IFES Thanks Board Members for Service and Commitment to Democracy

Senator Richard Lugar, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky and Dr. Michael Pinto-Duschinsky to Step Down from IFES Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (December 4, 2012) — The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) announced today that three members of its Board of Directors will step down at the end of 2012. Over the last quarter century, IFES has worked to advance good governance and democratic rights in countries across the globe. The IFES Board of Directors is integral to the organization’s mission, offering an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience from civil society, government and business that guide and inform IFES’ work worldwide.

IFES extends its deepest appreciation to the departing board members, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Senator Richard Lugar and Dr. Michael Pinto-Duschinsky. Together, the three directors have offered more than 23 combined years of service to IFES.

  • Ambassador Paula Dobriansky’s distinguished career has included service to the U.S. Department of State and the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as numerous international awards recognizing her efforts in support of peace and democracy. Her keen insights and tireless commitment to IFES’ mission have been instrumental to the work of the Board of Directors.
  • Senator Richard Lugar has embodied the core values of IFES in his service to the people of Indiana and the United States as a mayor, senator and military serviceman. As a member of the IFES Board of Directors, Senator Lugar has brought to bear his extensive experience at the center of American democracy to inform IFES’ efforts to help nations build sustainable democracy.
  • Dr. Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, a widely recognized expert in the area of campaign finance and democracy, has assisted and advised 25 countries on a breadth of electoral issues. He has imparted his great wealth of knowledge throughout his tenure on the IFES board, guiding and assisting as the organization has built local capacity to deliver credible elections to citizens the world over.

It is with deepest gratitude that IFES acknowledges the service of these three distinguished members of the Board of Directors and extends sincerest wishes for continued success in their future efforts to build sustainable democracy.

“The expertise and commitment of our departing board members have been critical in furthering our mission to support citizens’ right to participate in free and fair elections,” said IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney. “We are immensely grateful to Ambassador Dobriansky, Senator Lugar and Dr. Pinto-Duschinsky for their service. We will miss their insight, expertise and dedication to our cause.”

The IFES Board of Directors maintains a bipartisan composition of Democratic and Republican members that ensures a balanced and independent approach to pursuing IFES’ mission. In addition, the service of international leaders ensures that the organization’s work is informed by the global perspective required to work effectively with local partners in countries around the world.

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As the global leader in democracy promotion, IFES advances good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to election officials; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 135 countries, from developing democracies, to mature democracies. For more information, visit www.IFES.org.