David Steinman

David Steinman is a Wharton-trained economist known for his work in democracy promotion and international human rights advocacy. Steinman served as a consulting expert to the U.S. National Security Council regarding the overthrow of Haiti's "Baby Doc" Duvalier and contributed to shaping U.S. democracy promotion policy during the Reagan administration. His early efforts established a foundation for a career focused on strategic advising in politically volatile environments. Steinman assisted Southeast Asian anti-Communist resistance movements with the U.S. Council for World Freedom and collaborated with Chinese dissidents following the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

A significant chapter of Steinman's career centers on his long-term involvement in Ethiopia. He served as senior foreign adviser to Ethiopia's democracy movement for 27 years, contributing to the planning of the 2005 civil resistance and election campaign, which was recognized as the "Most Important African Event" in a BBC poll. This experience inspired his novel, "Money, Blood and Conscience." Steinman also exposed human rights abuses, large-scale theft from famine victims, and mass killings by the former Ethiopian regime in Washington Post, Forbes.com, and New York Times.

Steinman's investigative work extends into international law. He filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court that brought attention to alleged crimes against humanity by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom during his tenure as an Ethiopian official. This action was reported on the front page of London Times and widely covered in global media. Steinman has been quoted on Ethiopian politics in Daily Mail, National Review, De Telegraaf, and numerous other media outlets.

In addition to his policy and advocacy work, Steinman founded Free World Associates, a network of human rights and democracy activists dedicated to promoting global peace and economic development by supporting democratic reforms in closed societies. Among its projects is World Liberation Radio, which seeks to demonstrate that nonviolence can be taught to oppressed populations through radio broadcasts. His novel, "Money, Blood and Conscience," blends investigative journalism with narrative storytelling to examine the complexities of Western policy and the realities of political repression.

Steinman has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to democracy and human rights. As a keynote speaker, he addresses topics such as global democracy, the situation in Ethiopia, and the role of nonviolent resistance, drawing on his extensive experience in international economics and political strategy.