Lobbyist and former CNN reporter Gina London’s choice of reading material says a lot about why she’s moving to Cairo.
Among the five books London has chosen to bring along is “Treasure Island,” the Robert Louis Stevenson adventure novel about a voyage to uncover buried treasure.
The treasure London seeks? Democracy. This week, she resigned as communications director of lobbying firm CRL Associates to serve as resident country director for the International Republican Institute.
The nonpartisan institute promotes democracy worldwide through the development of political parties, civic institutions, open elections, good governance and rule of law.
“It demonstrates that you can have opposing parties and not kill each other,” she said of her new employer.
London, a native of Farmland, Ind., arrived in Denver six years ago as a reporter for CNN.
After two years, she joined CRL, where she honed her diplomacy skills while helping clients communicate with political leaders, neighborhood groups and the media, many of whom were among the 150 people at a send-off party Tuesday at the Palm restaurant in downtown Denver.
“It was perfect training,” said London, 40. “I met a lot of people with CNN, but I got roots with CRL.”
London spent vacations doing the type of training that landed her the Cairo job. She traveled to Indonesia, Tunisia, Jordan and Cambodia to teach people about democracy.
“It’s very humbling to see what these people are willing to risk for participatory government,” she said.
London is one of the few repeat trainers the institute has used, said Tom Garrett, director of Middle East and North Africa programs.
“When I saw her willingness to repeatedly go into these challenging situations filled with excitement and enthusiasm, she was just a natural in my mind, and I contacted her to make that transition,” Garrett said. “She’s an excellent communicator, and she does an excellent job of reaching out to people.”
Staff writer Margaret Jackson can be reached at 303-820-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com.
