The National Democratic Institute (NDI) today announced its delegation that will observe the Jan. 9 election for president of the Palestinian Authority. The 80-member multinational delegation, organized in partnership with The Carter Center, will be co-led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. Learn more »
This statement has been prepared by a pre-election assessment team organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in partnership with The Carter Center. The delegation examined technical preparations and the political environment leading up to the presidential election in the West Bank and Gaza, currently scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005. Learn more »
Continuing its observation of the Dec. 1-2 presidential and legislative elections, The Carter Center has monitored the tabulation of results in provincial capitals and the reclassification of invalid votes at the National Elections Commission (CNE) in Maputo. Learn more »
ATLANTA....Ingrid Saunders Jones, a senior vice president of The Coca-Cola Company, has been appointed vice chair of the Carter Center's Board of Councilors. The board is comprised of 202 members who serve as a leadership advisory group that promotes understanding among opinion leaders and the broader community of The Carter Center and its activities. Learn more »
The Carter Center was invited by the National Election Commission (CNE) and welcomed by all major political parties to observe the Dec. 1 – 2 elections. The Center observed the 1999 and 2003 elections, and has been engaged in initiatives in Mozambique, including support for the Agenda 2025 national consensus-building initiative and agriculture production technologies through SG2000. Learn more »
ATLANTA.... Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced today a $2 million gift from the Lions Clubs International Foundation to accelerate the Carter Center's efforts to eliminate river blindness (onchocerciasis) in the Americas. The contribution will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of a challenge grant to help The Carter Center secure a total of $15 million to halt transmission of the disease throughout the region. Learn more »
ATLANTA…. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, former Benin President Nicéphore Soglo, and Carter Center Executive Director Dr. John Hardman will lead a 60-member international delegation to observe Mozambique's presidential and legislative elections. The Carter Center, which observed the 1999 national elections and the 2003 municipal elections, was invited by the National Election Commission and welcomed by all major political parties to observe the Dec. 1 - 2 elections. Learn more »
Yasser Arafat's death marks the end of an era and will no doubt be painfully felt by Palestinians throughout the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. Learn more »
ATLANTA…Millions of American adults who have mental illnesses are leading lives of quiet desperation. For many, their conditions began when they were children, but there was no help for them then. It doesn't have to be that way today. Learn more »
ATLANTA…The Carter Center will host 35 Chinese electoral officials Nov. 2 around Atlanta and Chattanooga to observe U.S. Election Day. Learn more »
ATLANTA….The Carter Center thanks the Venezuelan National Electoral Council for its invitation received Oct. 8 to observe the election of governors and mayors, but the Center, unfortunately, has had to decline the invitation. Learn more »
ATLANTA, GA….Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will visit Grenada Oct. 14-15 to help focus international attention on the catastrophic needs of the island ravaged by Hurricane Ivan last month. Learn more »
Rosalynn and I are pleased to congratulate Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. I have known her for many years as a heroine in Kenya and throughout Africa. She has fought courageously to protect the environment and human rights, in the face of severe governmental pressures to silence her often lonely voice. As an outstanding woman leader, she is a role model for other women throughout Africa struggling to improve the well-being of their families and communities. Learn more »
World Mental Health Day, sponsored by the World Federation for Mental Health, will be observed Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter as honorary chair. "The Relationship Between Physical and Mental Health: Co-occurring Disorders," is this year's theme. Learn more »
KINGSTON, JAMAICA…In recognition of International Right to Know Day, the public is invited Tuesday to hear an update on the implementation of Jamaica's Access to Information Act at the Courtleigh Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, at 10 a.m. Minister of Information the Hon. Senator Burchell Whiteman, the Carter Center's Laura Neuman, Neville James of the Media Association of Jamaica, and Dr. Carolyn Gomes, executive director of Jamaicans for Justice, will speak at the event. Learn more »
The second round of Indonesia's historic first direct presidential election has taken place successfully, in a general atmosphere of calm, order, and open participation. The Carter Center congratulates the people and leaders of Indonesia for the successful conduct of the presidential election and for the peaceful atmosphere that has prevailed throughout Indonesia's three rounds of elections in 2004. This represents a major step in the country's ongoing democratic transition. Learn more »
Public radio host Tavis Smiley interviews former U.S. President Jimmy Carter A pre-recorded interview with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is scheduled to air on the Tavis Smiley Show Thursday, Sept. 23 (in most markets). Atlanta public radio stations WCLK and WJSP will carry the program. Learn more »
ATLANTA….A live webcast with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will kick off the 2004-2005 season of the international issues discussion series Conversations at The Carter Center, Tuesday, Sept. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The webcast is free to the public on the Carter Center Web site: www.cartercenter.org. Learn more »
JAKARTA, INDONESIA…The Carter Center will deploy 57 observers this week in preparation to observe the Indonesian presidential runoff Sept. 20. The Center, which observed the 1999 and the 2004 presidential elections, was invited by the General Election Commission and welcomed by all major political parties to observe the runoff. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter are the scheduled guests on CNN's Larry King Live, Monday, Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. EDT. The Carters will discuss the peace and health initiatives of The Carter Center and current international issues during the first half of the program, which will air live. Learn more »
Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter will open the third world conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioural Disorders being held Sept. 14-17, 2004, at the Hyatt Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand. Mrs. Carter, honorary chair of the conference, has worked for more than 30 years to help people with mental illnesses and their families. Learn more »
Upon receiving complaints from the opposition Coordinadora Democrática about suspected irregularities in the voting results recorded in the machine, specifically, a pattern of tied results among two or three machines in the same voting tables, The Carter Center consulted with several statisticians. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA…I am delighted to be back in Caracas, with my good friends Cesar Gaviria, Raul Alfonsín, Belisario Betancur and Rodrigo Carazo to observe the recall referendum tomorrow. The vote tomorrow is the culmination of a dialogue under the leadership of the Secretary General, the resulting agreement of May 29, 2003, a year of peaceful and legal effort by the Coordinadora to obtain the requisite number of signatures, and a month of vigorous but violence-free campaigning. Learn more »
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA…I would like to thank once again President Jagdeo and Chairman Corbin for inviting me to visit Guyana. I have had an opportunity to meet with a wide range of organizations and individuals, who all have given generously of their time and have shared their opinions and suggestions. I had productive discussions with Mr. Corbin and other leaders of the People's National Congress Reform, President Jagdeo and the Central Executive Committee of the People's Progressive Party/Civic, members of parliament of both ROAR and WPA/GAP, the chairman and commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission, the speaker of the National Assembly, the chancellor, chief justice, and president of the bar association, representatives of the private sector and trade unions, the Rights of the Child youth group, the international donor community, and others. Learn more »
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA…I want to thank President Jagdeo for his invitation and look forward to meeting with him, Robert Corbin, and members of Guyanese civil society. I have a deep personal interest in Guyana and believe the basic integrity of its political, social, and economic systems must be made more responsive to the needs and aspirations of all Guyanese. The purpose of my visit is to assess whether The Carter Center can make a further contribution to this need. At the close of my visit, I will hold a press conference. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA….Invited by the National Election Council (CNE) to observe the presidential recall referendum on Aug. 15, the Carter Center delegation of experienced observers from 14 countries arrives Wednesday to complement the core team already in Caracas. Learn more »
ATLANTA....The Carter Center announces an informative and innovative series of evening discussions, open to the public and to the media. This season's schedule is designed to increase awareness of national and global issues. A distinguished panel consisting of Carter Center experts and special guests make presentations followed by question-and-answer periods with the audience. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, and former Thailand Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai led a 60-member international delegation to observe Indonesia's July 5 presidential elections. The delegation, representing six countries, arrived July 1 and received briefings in Jakarta before being deployed throughout Indonesia on July 3. On election day, they witnessed poll openings, voting, vote counting at polling stations, and transportation of the ballot boxes to the village organizing election committee. Learn more »
In support of Indonesia's ongoing democratization and political reform, The Carter Center is continuing to monitor this election, as Indonesian voters for the first time directly choose their president. The Carter Center was invited by the election commission (KPU) and welcomed by all major political parties. Learn more »
30,000 medical kits packed and boxed: Donations still being accepted for shipment Learn more »
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE… In response to an invitation issued by the National Elections Commission (CNE), The Carter Center observed the voter registration update in Mozambique from June 28 to July 15. With observers from five countries-Belgium, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Guinea-Conakry, and the United States-The Carter Center visited 151 registration brigades in nine provinces. Learn more »
ATLANTA….I urge Bolivians to maintain a calm and peaceful atmosphere as they go to vote on the issues surrounding the hydrocarbons law and management of the gas sector this weekend. Bolivia has experienced extraordinary political developments in the past year. I commend the public for their courage in following a democratic path and for seeking a more participatory democracy. For that reason, I join U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Organization of American States in the calling for a peaceful referendum. Learn more »
ATLANTA.....The Carter Center's Mental Health Program has named 10 recipients of its eighth annual Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, including two from New Zealand and the first two from South Africa. Each domestic fellow will receive $10,000 to study a particular issue within the mental health field for one year. Learn more »
ATLANTA.... More than 300 corporate volunteers and members of the diplomatic community in Atlanta will join Carter Center staff July 13-30 to assemble 30,000 medical kits to use in the effort to eradicate the last 1 percent of Guinea worm disease left in the world. Learn more »
In support of Indonesia's ongoing democratization and political reform, The Carter Center is pleased to observe this historic election, as Indonesian voters for the first time directly choose their president. The Carter Center, which observed the 1999 national elections, was invited by the election commission (KPU) and welcomed by all major political parties. In late April, the Center established a field office in Indonesia and deployed 10 long-term observers across the country to monitor the electoral process. Since then, the Center's observers have visited 25 provinces and have met with representatives of political parties and candidates, government and election officials, journalists, election officials, police, domestic election monitoring groups, religious organizations, and other civil society groups. On June 25, the Center issued a pre-election statement that commented on several pre-election issues and the conduct of the campaign. Learn more »
ATLANTA...I have accepted an invitation from President Jagdeo to visit Guyana. The Carter Center has been involved in Guyana for more than a decade. In that time, we have observed elections, supported the formulation of the country's National Development Strategy, and helped bolster the judicial system and strengthen citizens' organizations to make a greater contribution to public policy. The purpose of my visit is to assess whether the Center might be able to make further contributions to the improved welfare of all Guyanese. I also spoke by telephone to Robert Corbin last week to discuss my visit. I look forward to meeting with President Jagdeo, Mr. Corbin, parliament members, and representatives of civil society and donor countries to hear all views on the challenges facing Guyana. Learn more »
In support of Indonesia's ongoing process of democratization and political reform, The Carter Center is pleased to witness the historic 2004 election, when Indonesian voters for the first time will directly choose their president. The Carter Center, which observed the 1999 national elections, was invited by the Election Commission (KPU) and welcomed by all major political parties. In late April, the Center deployed 10 long-term observers across the country to monitor the electoral process. For the July 5 presidential elections, the Center is bringing 50 additional short-term observers to join the mission which will be led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, and former Prime Minister of Thailand Chuan Leekpai. Learn more »
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the invitation to testify before this subcommittee. I have studied Venezuela as a scholar for twenty years, and have been involved in Venezuela with The Carter Center since 1998, when we observed the 1998 and 2000 elections. Since June of 2002, I have been leading the Carter Center’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between the government and opposition, and to monitor the recall referendum effort begun in November 2003. Learn more »
ATLANTA…. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, and former Thailand Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai will lead a 60-member international delegation to observe Indonesia's presidential elections. The Carter Center, which observed the 1999 national elections, was invited by the General Election Commission and welcomed by all major political parties to observe the July 5 elections. Learn more »
Representing the Carter Center, President Jimmy Carter hosted a meeting on June 18, 2004, between Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías and Venezuelan entrepreneur Gustavo Cisneros. There was a mutual commitment to honor constitutional processes and to support further discussions between the government of Venezuela and the country's news media to ensure the most appropriate climate for this constitutional process Learn more »
As governor of Georgia I fought unsafe burial of nuclear waste from the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. SRS reprocessed spent nuclear fuel to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons during the Cold War, leaving behind by-products of liquid and slurry high-level nuclear waste. Today, 37 million gallons of high-level radioactive waste containing millions of curies of lethal radioactivity remain in 51 aging tanks at SRS, still awaiting a permanent solution. The tanks are located in the water table, near the Savannah River, and amid the Tuscaloosa Aquifer, which Georgia and other states depend on for drinking water. Learn more »
KINGSTON, JAMAICA…The Carter Center, in collaboration with the Jamaican Bar Association and the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights, launched the Volunteer Attorneys Panel to provide free legal representation to those denied their right to government information. The launch, as part of a Continuing Legal Education series held May 29, 2004, focused on the new Jamaican Access to Information Act and enforcement of similar laws in other countries. Learn more »
ATLANTA....I am pleased that the Sudan peace talks made important progress yesterday with the signings of additional significant agreements in Navaisha, Kenya. All concerned should be congratulated for their dedication to working through the difficult details of these protocols. The world looks forward to a final, comprehensive accord. This will mark the true beginning of the hard work of implementing the agreements and building peace throughout Sudan. Learn more »
ATLANTA.... I have followed with concern for a number of years the appalling working conditions in the Florida-based tomato industry. While production costs in the industry have increased over the last 25 years, wages have been effectively stagnant, as giant cooperative buying mechanisms hold prices down. Conditions are so bad in parts of the industry that there have been two separate prosecutions for slavery in recent years. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA…In the framework of the invitation from the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Venezuelan government, the Organization of the American States and The Carter Center have observed the first phase of the reparos, or signature repair, process for the recall referenda on representatives of the National Assembly. Learn more »
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA…The Carter Center will be closing its project office in Guyana at the end of May 2004, having completed its most recent project in the country. Since 2000, the Center has been implementing the More Responsive and Participatory Governance and Rule of Law in Guyana project financed by the United States Agency for International Development, in partnership with the National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Election Systems. As part of this project, the Center has worked to improve the influence of civil society on public policy and to strengthen the administration of justice in Guyana. Learn more »
ATLANTA....Merck & Co., Inc., has donated $1 million to the Carter Center's effort to eliminate river blindness disease in the Americas in this decade. Learn more »
KINGSTON, JAMAICA….The Carter Center is hosting three seminars in late May on access to information issues, including how to use the Access to Information Act, how to appeal denials, and the relationship between access to information, the officials secrets act, and public interest disclosure. The seminars underscore the importance of public discussion on existing and future legislation to increase accountability and transparency in Jamaica. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA….In recent days, at the request of representatives of the election observation mission of the Organization of American States and The Carter Center, informal communication with the authorities of the National Electoral Council (CNE) has been maintained, in which they have lessened friction caused by recent public statements. The electoral authorities have asked the members of the international mission continue their observation process, and the international mission maintains its position that it will avoid all disturbing interference in the good rhythm that has prevailed in their relations with the CNE. Likewise, it has been decided that a meeting of the directorate of the CNE with the head of the OAS mission, Fernando Jaramillo, and Carter Center representative Francisco Diez will occur next Wednesday. The mission reiterates its respect and consideration for the authority of the CNE to make decisions and, in keeping with the nature of the organization, to direct the process of calling recall referendum. #### PARA PUBLICACION INMEDIATA Lunes, 17 de Mayo de 2004 Contactos: Javier Montes OEA, 202-458-6194 Kay Torrance The Carter Center, 404-420-5129 NOTA DE PRENSA DEL CONSEJO NACIONAL ELECTORAL Y LA MISIÓN CONJUNTA DE LA OEA Y EL CENTRO CARTER CARACAS, VENEZUELA....Durante estos últimos días, a solicitud de los representantes de la misión de observación electoral de la Organización de los Estados Americanos y el Centro Carter, se han mantenido comunicaciones informales con las autoridades del Consejo Nacional Electoral, donde se han limado las asperezas ocasionadas por recientes manifestaciones públicas. Las autoridades electorales han dispuesto que los miembros de la misión internacional sigan adelante con sus tareas de observación del proceso y la observación internacional mantiene su posición de evitar toda injerencia perturbadora a la buena marcha que ha prevalecido en las relaciones con el CNE. Asimismo, se ha acordado realizar una reunión del directorio del CNE con el jefe de la misión electoral de la OEA, Fernando Jaramillo y el representante del Centro Carter, Francisco Diez, el próximo miércoles de esta semana. La misión conjunta reitera su respeto y consideración a la autoridad del CNE para la toma de sus decisiones, en su carácter de organismo rector del proceso de convocatoria a referendums revocatorios. #### Donate Now Sign Up for Email Updates Email Address: Enter Your Email Address Spam Control Text: Please leave this field empty Submit Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA….The joint mission of the Organization of American States and The Carter Center wish to clarify the scope and sense of its last statement, as well as to reiterate its respect and consideration for the electoral authority, which has generously permitted both organizations to work as international observers in the process of the referenda request Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA...The Organization of American States and The Carter Center will observe the two scheduled reparos (recall signatures corrections) processes in Venezuela, May 21-23 and May 28-30. This observation occurs at the invitation of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and in the context of the Accord of May 2003. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and O.A.S. Secretary General Cesar Gaviria will lead the observation mission and will arrive in the country on May 29th to be present for the conclusion of the reparos. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA... Today the national government, represented at the Enlace Mechanism (established by the May 29, 2003, accord) by deputies Nicolás Maduro and Desireé Santos Amaral, has informed the group's facilitators of the delicate situation regarding the detention of a group of foreign mercenaries. These mercenaries may be willing to initiate violent and criminal actions against military and political targets. Learn more »
ATLANTA....On Wednesday, May 12, the 2004 Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum will bring together experts and policy-makers in an effort to implement recommendations from the final report of President Bush's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Tens of thousands of Georgians have suffered a breakdown in availability and delivery of public mental health services as a result of massive budget cutbacks and repeated management reorganizations over the last several years. The presidential report finds that mental health systems are in a shambles and makes strong recommendations for rebuilding, but state and local agencies are left to implement them Learn more »
ATLANTA…The Carter Center opened an office last week in Jakarta to begin a long-term observation of electoral conditions leading up to Indonesia's July 5 presidential elections. This observation will continue through to early October should a Sept. 20 runoff prove necessary. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA…Yesterday the Democratic Coordinator publicly announced their intention to participate in the repair (reparos) process. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA….The OAS and The Carter Center have been participating in the meetings that the CNE has formally held about the mechanisms for the correction period, in order to listen to the proposals and concerns of the actors involved in the recall referendum process. Learn more »
The Carter Center joins the world community in commemorating the loss of life from the genocide in Rwanda that began on April 7, 1994. Learn more »
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA…The Carter Center and its partner groups will hold a conference this weekend on issues of interest to nongovernmental organizations in Guyana, including participation in public policy, collaboration with government and the private sector, networking among nongovernmental organizations, and the legal framework for such organizations Learn more »
ATLANTA.... Applications are now being accepted for six one-year journalism fellowships with the Mental Health Program of The Carter Center. Designed to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses, the fellowships begin in September 2004. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA…Today, the National Electoral Council made public the preliminary official results of the process of verification of signatures for the petition to recall the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Learn more »
CARACAS, VENEZUELA….The Organization of the American States and The Carter Center have been observing the process of collection, verification, and validation of signatures developed by the National Electoral Council to determine whether current requests for recall referenda will be adequate. This work has been at the invitation of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the electoral authority and in the framework of the agreement of May 23, 2003, as a result of the Table of Negotiation and Agreements. Learn more »
CARACAS....Since last November, the Mission of the Organization of the American States and The Carter Center has been observing the process of verification and validation of signatures that the National Electoral Council is implementing to determine the possibility of a recall referendum. Learn more »
TAMALE, GHANA...Today 650 kilometers north of Ghana's capital city, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and senior officials from The Carter Center, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF made a historic visit to the endemic Guinea worm village of Dashie to urge Ghana to finish the eradication of Guinea worm disease. Learn more »
ATLANTA….Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will travel to Mali Feb. 5-7 on behalf of the Carter Center's Global Development Initiative. They will meet with President Amadou Toumani Touré to launch the Development and Cooperation Initiative, a multi-year effort to help reduce poverty in Mali. Learn more »
ATLANTA....Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and his wife, Rosalynn, will travel on behalf of The Carter Center to West Africa Feb. 2-6, 2004, to call international attention to the need to eliminate the last 1 percent of Guinea worm disease remaining in the world. Learn more »
ATLANTA….The Carter Center joins the international community in congratulating President Oscar Berger and Guatemala's newly elected congressional deputies and local mayors. After decades of devastating civil war and with little progress on implementing the 1996 Peace Accords, the new administration has an important opportunity to work with political leaders and civil society to make significant progress in fulfilling the longstanding aspirations of all Guatemalans. Learn more »
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE…The Carter Center welcomes the Jan. 15, 2004, Constitutional Council of Mozambique announcement of final results for the November 2003 municipal elections. Learn more »
Caracas, Venezuela….Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will travel to Caracas, Venezuela, on behalf of The Carter Center Jan. 25-27 to advance the Peace and Democracy Accord. President Carter will meet with Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, the National Electoral Council, opposition leaders, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court. Learn more »
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