Basic human freedoms of expression, association, religious belief and worship, voice in governing and rule of law are fundamental rights. History shows that freedom is transformative. Free people make more peaceful nations, better neighbors and share a common goal of a civil society. The Bush Institute seeks to extend the reach of freedom around the world by emboldening today’s freedom advocates with education, moral support and practical tools for networking.

Freedom Collection

The Freedom Collection is a permanent archive of the struggle for human freedom around the world. The Collection documents and preserves the personal stories of struggle and achievement as told by the men and women who have led freedom movements from the last century to the present day. The Freedom Collection:

• Strives to provide inspiration and insight to the current generations of freedom advocates.
• Reinforces the importance of continued support for pro-democracy movements and engagement in the world.
• Preserves history as a tool for historians, scholars, policy makers and students studying democratic movements.

The Wave of Freedom Conference

In recent months, the world has witnessed dramatic expressions of freedom movements across the Middle East. These events simply confirm the desire for freedom is universal.

• Touched off by Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old Tunisian fruit vendor who set himself on fire to protest an attack on his economic liberty, millions of brave men and women have demonstrated their commitment to a future rooted in freedom.
• One of the first dramatic signs that the Middle East status quo was in jeopardy occurred two years ago in Tehran. Responding to fraudulent presidential elections, thousands of Iranians joined together using cell phones, social networking sites and traditional methods of nonviolent civil resistance to decry a stolen victory by the opposition.
• Though police ultimately suppressed the protests with violence, The Green Movement’s cutting-edge demonstrations-along with other recent freedom movements such as Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution-undoubtedly gave inspiration to the protests and conflict in the Middle East, which in turn have strengthened the resolve of freedom advocates in Tunisia, Egypt and beyond.

As the wave of freedom spreads across the Arab world, what early lessons does it offer for those who seek democracy in countries like Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and Burma? Activists, technology experts, government leaders and scholars will answer this question by analyzing the challenges and successes of recent uprisings, enhancing understanding of technology’s role and considering the impact on those who still struggle for freedom around the world.

Bush Institute

The George W. Bush Institute seeks to improve the human condition through education reform, global health, human freedom and economic growth within the global economy. Across all its programming, the Bush Institute empowers women through its work in the Women’s Initiative. And the Institute honors the sacrifices and service our troops and their families make for our freedom through the Veterans Initiative. Guided by the vision of President and Mrs. Bush, the Bush Institute develops unique solutions to pressing issues and leads a network of partners to achieve lasting results. The Bush Institute is part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the Presidential Library, located on the SMU campus in Dallas.

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