Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Wall: Reflections from Yesterday, Lessons for Today WATCH LIVE FOR FREE

RONALD REAGAN AND THE FALL OF THE WALL:
REFLECTIONS FROM YESTERDAY, LESSONS FOR TODAY


NOVEMBER 6, 2009
8:30 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.


Go to www.reaganfoundation.org to watch Live Video Streaming of the event from 8:00am to 5:30pm PST on November 6, 2009. 


This November marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the advent of freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe as we know it today. To celebrate this anniversary and to pay tribute to Ronald Reagan, whose role in this historic event was truly heroic, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and The Heritage Foundation are joining together to host a one-day conference on Friday, November 6, 2009 at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.




PROGRAM:

9:30 A.M. “INSIDER PERSPECTIVES ON RONALD REAGAN AND THE FALL OF THE WALL”
When President Ronald Reagan called on General Secretary Gorbachev in 1987 to “tear down this wall,” his words were part of his decades-long battle to challenge Communism on every front. In this panel, some of President Reagan’s closest advisers will describe how President Reagan waged that battle, how he helped to bring down the Wall, and bring the Cold War to an end without firing a shot.


Panelists: Ed Meese (United States Attorney General, 1985-1988), Richard Allen (National Security Advisor, 1981-1982), John Lehman (Secretary of the Navy, 1981-1987), Martin Anderson (Chief Domestic Policy Advisor, 1981-1982) and Peter Robinson (White House Speechwriter)

Moderator: John McCaslin, co-host of the nationally syndicated talk-radio program “America’s Morning News”, produced by Talk Radio Network (TRN) and The Washington Times.



12:00 P.M. Remarks by George Shultz “TEAR DOWN THIS WALL”
As Secretary of State for almost eight years of the Reagan Presidency, George Shultz was an essential player in the effort to end the Cold War. In his keynote address at lunch, he will offer his personal reflections on behind-the-scenes negotiations and the instrumental role that Ronald Reagan – as a man and the world’s most powerful leader – played in the fall of the Berlin Wall. Secretary Shultz is uniquely qualified to provide us with insight on what our world would be like today if not for President Ronald Reagan’s determination to advance the cause of global freedom.



2:00 P.M. “THE UNFINISHED LEGACY OF THE FALL OF THE WALL”
The fall of the Berlin Wall brought liberty to Eastern Europe, but the struggle toward democracy and free enterprise did not end there. In this panel, leaders of the fight against Communism join with leaders from nations still working to establish democratic self-government to reflect on what the fall of the Wall achieved, and what remains undone.


Panelists: Vaclav Klaus (President, Czech Republic), Steve Forbes (Former chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting), Leszek Balcerowicz (Former First Deputy Prime Minister, Poland), Mart Laar (Prime Minister, Estonia, 1999-2002), Lord Charles Powell (Foreign Advisor to Margaret Thatcher, 1983-1990). Other panelists to be named shortly.


Moderator: Edward Lucas, The Economist



4:00 P.M. “WORLDWIDE PERSPECTIVES ON THE FALL OF THE WALL”
The Berlin Wall divided East and West. When it fell, nations throughout the formerly divided world shared in the triumph. In this panel, distinguished scholars of and participants in the triumph from East and West will offer their perspectives on why the Wall fell, and what its end meant for nations on both sides of the old divide.


Panelists: Dr. Robin Harris (Heritage Foundation), John O’Sullivan (Radio Free Europe), Peter Brookes (Heritage Foundation) and Lee Edwards (Heritage Foundation)


Moderator: Matthew Kaminski, The Wall Street Journal



For more information, please call 805-522-2977.  To learn more about the fall of the Wall and other events at the Library surrounding the 20th anniversary, please click here.