RRI Announces 2026 International Residency at the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies
- The Ramos Research Institute
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ramos Research Institute Announces 2026 International Residency at the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies
CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ – DECEMBER 29, 2025 — At a time of increasing global concern over democratic backsliding, polarization, and the spread of mis- and disinformation, the Ramos Research Institute (RRI) will expand its international research engagement through its 2026 International Residency in Warsaw, Poland. The residency will take place at the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies (PSCD) under the framework of the Youth Democracy Network Residency Program.
From January through April 2026, RRI Executive Director Alejandro J. Ramos along with Chief of Staff and Global Democracy Fellow Josephine Hall will serve as Research Fellows in Residence at the PSCD. During this period, the Institute will contribute to the Secretariat’s research capacity while centering its Spring 2026 research agenda on democratic strengthening, global civic engagement, and cross-national approaches to polarization and information integrity.
“This residency reflects our belief that democratic renewal depends on sustained international cooperation and the exchange of ideas across borders,” said Alejandro J. Ramos, RRI Executive Director. “I look forward to engaging with our partners at the Community of Democracies on meaningful work that contributes to stronger, more resilient democratic societies.”
Through the Youth Democracy Network Residency Program, RRI’s work will engage with the broader community of democracies and civil-society partners committed to advancing democratic resilience. All Institute projects during the Spring 2026 semester will be oriented around the residency, drawing on comparative perspectives and youth-centered research approaches.
“At a moment when democracy faces profound challenges, it is young researchers and leaders who inspire renewed confidence in our shared future,” said Dr. Mantas Adomėnas, Secretary General of the Community of Democracies. “I am proud to welcome Alejandro Ramos and Josephine Hall as research fellows under the framework of the Youth Democracy Network Residency Program. Their research will contribute to vital work on countering polarization, shaping democratic narratives, and strengthening civic resilience—advancing the Community of Democracies’ mission to support the next generation of democratic champions.”
The residency coincides with the upcoming release of RRI’s report, Democracy at the Crossroads: A Qualitative Analysis of Youth Perspectives, which examines how young people conceptualize and participate in democracy amid polarization, misinformation, and civic fatigue. While not a joint project with the Community of Democracies, the report underscores the urgency of understanding democratic renewal from a global and generational perspective.
“I am looking forward to being in residency to deepen relationships with our international partners and to contribute meaningfully to conversations on the future of democracy,” said Josephine Hall, Chief of Staff and Global Democracy Fellow at RRI. “It’s a valuable opportunity for RRI to expand our global network while strengthening our capacity through close collaboration with international counterparts.”
During the residency, RRI anticipates engaging with partner institutions and civil-society organizations across Europe and welcomes opportunities for collaboration and dialogue.
This residency is made possible through the support and collaboration of the Ramos Research Institute and the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies.
For more information about the Ramos Research Institute and its research initiatives, please visit www.ramosresearchinstitute.org or contact us at press@ramosresearchinstitute.org.
###
About the Ramos Research Institute:
The Ramos Research Institute (RRI) is an emerging research institution dedicated to original research, polling, and policy analysis focused on addressing today’s most complex societal challenges. Founded by Alejandro J. Ramos, RRI produces rigorous, relevant, and accessible research across key areas including civic education and engagement, media literacy, democratic resilience and renewal, education policy, and the voting behavior of minority communities. Through evidence-based inquiry and public-facing scholarship, RRI seeks to generate insights that strengthen democratic culture and inform policy and practice.
About the Community of Democracies:
The Community of Democracies (CoD) is a global intergovernmental coalition of states working together to promote, defend and strengthen democracy worldwide. Building on its founding document, the Warsaw Declaration, the Community is committed to taking concerted action to advance and protect democratic freedoms, strengthen democratic institutions, and expand political participation.
Contact:
Nafisa Ruponty
Director of Public Relations
Ramos Research Institute
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010