Carl Gershman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carl Gershman
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Gershman in 2024
|
|
| President of the National Endowment for Democracy | |
| In office 1984–2021 |
|
| Succeeded by | Damon Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 20, 1943 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Yale University (BA) Harvard University (MEd) |
Carl Gershman is a well-known American leader who spent many years helping to spread democracy around the world. From 1984 to 2021, he was the first president of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). This organization helps groups that work for democracy in different countries.
During his time as president, the money NED received from the U.S. Congress grew a lot. It went from $18.5 million in 1984 to $300 million in 2021. By 2021, NED was supporting almost 2,000 projects in 100 countries. Mr. Gershman also started programs to help with democracy research and networking. These included the International Forum for Democratic Studies and the Journal of Democracy. Before leading NED, he worked with the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Carl Gershman was born in New York City on July 20, 1943. He went to Horace Mann Preparatory School and graduated with high honors in 1961.
He then attended Yale University. While at Yale, he was involved in the Yale Civil Rights Council. He also volunteered in Mississippi and Alabama to help with civil rights efforts. In 1965, he graduated from Yale with a Bachelor of Arts degree, again with high honors. He was also invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, a special academic honor society.
Career Journey
After college, from 1965 to 1967, Carl Gershman worked with Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) in Pittsburgh. VISTA was like a version of the Peace Corps but for helping people within the United States. In 1968, he earned a Master of Education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
He worked at the A. Philip Randolph Institute from 1969 to 1971. There, he was an assistant to its director, Bayard Rustin, who was a famous civil rights leader. From 1969 to 1974, Mr. Gershman also led the Youth Committee for Peace in the Middle East. He edited the group's magazine, Crossroads.
Working for Social Change
In his early career, Carl Gershman was involved with groups that aimed for social change. From 1970 to 1974, he was a leader in the Young People's Socialist League. This was the youth section of the Socialist Party of America. He held different leadership roles, including chairman.
In 1972, he wrote a document about international affairs. It suggested that the government in Cuba should stop supporting certain movements and become more open. This document was approved by his group. Later that year, at a convention, the Socialist Party changed its name to Social Democrats USA (SDUSA).
From 1975 to 1980, Mr. Gershman was the executive director of SDUSA. He also served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council during the first term of President Ronald Reagan's administration.
Leading the National Endowment for Democracy
In 1984, Carl Gershman became the first president of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). He described himself as non-partisan, meaning he tried to work with both Democrats and Republicans in the United States. He aimed to bring together people from different backgrounds, like business, labor unions, and thinkers, to support democracy.
The idea for NED came from a speech by President Ronald Reagan in 1982. President Reagan suggested creating an organization to help build the foundations of democracy, such as a free press, unions, and political parties. The U.S. government then studied this idea, which led to the creation of NED.
NED was officially started in 1983 by a law passed by Congress. It was set up as a private, non-profit organization. It receives most of its money from the U.S. government each year. NED works like a foundation that gives out grants. It provides money to private, non-governmental organizations to help promote democracy in other countries.
About half of NED's money goes to four main U.S. organizations. These include groups related to labor unions, private businesses, and the two main political parties (Democrats and Republicans). The other half of NED's money is given to hundreds of non-governmental organizations in other countries that apply for support.
In 2020, the Chinese government placed sanctions on Carl Gershman and other U.S. individuals. This was because of their actions related to Hong Kong. In 2021, Mr. Gershman was tricked by Russian comedians who pretended to be a Belarusian opposition leader. During this hoax, he spoke about NED's work in Belarus and its contacts with a Russian opposition leader's aide.
Carl Gershman retired as president of NED in the summer of 2021.
Awards and Recognition
Carl Gershman has received several awards for his work in promoting democracy:
- The Polish government gave him the Order of the Knight's Cross.
- He received an award from Romania.
- He was honored by the Chinese Education Democracy Foundation.
- He received the Light of Truth Award from the International Campaign for Tibet.
- George Washington University gave him the President's Award.
- In 2019, the government of Taiwan awarded him the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon.
