Democracy Service Medal

This list of recipients of the Democracy Service Medal covers recipients of the National Endowment for Democracy's Democracy Service Medal. The Medal was established in 1999 and awarded annually, sometimes to more than one person. ^[1]

Recipients

• 2025: Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama ^[2]
• 2016: Tenzin Delek Rinpoche (Tibet) (Posthumous) ^[3]
• 2013: Vytautas Landsbergis (Lithuania)
• 2012: Madeleine K. Albright (USA), George P. Shultz (USA) ^[4]
• 2011: Laura Pollán, Cuba; Jean Bethke Elshtain, USA; Floribert Chebeya, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• 2010: Vin Weber, USA; the Dalai Lama, Tibet; Francis Fukuyama, USA
• 2009: Leszek Kołakowski, Poland
• 2008: Max Kampelman, USA; Tom Lantos, USA
• 2007: Morton I. Abramowitz, USA; Emmanuel Kampouris, USA; Václav Havel, Czech Republic
• 2006: Thomas R. Donahue, USA
• 2005: John C. Whitehead, USA; John Richardson, Jr., USA
• 2004: Bob Graham, USA; Seymour Martin Lipset, USA; Matthew McHugh, USA
• 2003: Enrique Bolaños, Nicaragua; Donald M. Payne, USA
• 2002: Chen-Wu Sue-jen, Taiwan; Jan Nowak, Poland; Paula J. Dobriansky, USA
• 2001: John Brademas, USA; Fred Iklé, USA; Richard Lugar, USA; Stephen Solarz, USA
• 2000: John B. Hurford, USA
• 1999: Lech Walesa, Poland; Lane Kirkland, USA; Alexandr Vondra, Czech Republic; Martin Butora, Slovakia

References

1. "Democracy Service Medal". National Endowment for Democracy. 13 September 2010.
2. Tenzin Nyidon (November 5, 2025). "NED honours imprisoned 11th Panchen Lama with Democracy Service Medal". phayul.com . Retrieved November 5, 2025.
3. Kyi, Dorji (June 17, 2016). "Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Honoured with the Democracy Service Medal". Contact Magazine. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
4. "Albright, Shultz Honored with Democracy Service Medal". NDI. June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2020.