In a statement issued today, The Carter Center reported that although the voter registration for the Southern Sudan Referendum on self-determination faced several logistical, procedural, and security challenges, the process was generally credible and represents a strong step toward the successful conduct of the referendum. Learn more »
Standing in his school's courtyard in El Xab, Guatemala, a blindfolded boy swings a large stick toward an enormous piñata shaped like a fly. Though the scene is a cheerful one, the children are learning something meaningful about the power of their community and country to fight the debilitating disease river blindness (onchocerciasis), which is spread by the bites of black flies that breed in swiftly flowing rivers. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates Alassane Ouattara on his election as president of Cote d'Ivoire. The Center equally appreciates the efforts of Prime Minister Guillaume Soro to ensure the credibility of the entire electoral process. Learn more »
We at The Carter Center congratulate the people of Cote d'Ivoire for a successful presidential election, which now offers hope for a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center concluded that the conduct of Guinea's presidential electoral processes was broadly consistent with the country's international and regional obligations for genuine democratic elections. Learn more »
In a letter to key people in Washington sent on Nov. 22, 2010, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former Representative Jim Kolbe requested the renewal and extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), set to expire in December 2010. Learn more »
The Carter Center found high voter turnout for the presidential run-off election in Cote d'Ivoire despite an often tense and sometimes violent political campaign. The Center notes with special concern that several deaths occurred in election day violence and calls on the two presidential candidates, Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, to remind their supporters of the need to wait for the announcement of results without further incident. Learn more »
The Carter Center urges Cote d'Ivoire's presidential candidates to refrain from the use of negative campaign rhetoric, including personal attacks made in a threatening tone, and reminds candidates and their supporters of the code of conduct and other rules governing electoral behavior. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the successful opening of voter registration for the Southern Sudan Referendum on self-determination and congratulates the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB) on their preparations for the first days of registration, particularly in Southern Sudan where the process is challenged by difficult logistics. Learn more »
Mistrust among Nepal's political leaders, failure to implement previous commitments, and repeated unsuccessful efforts to form a new government pose threats to the peace process and constitutional drafting. Learn more »
The Carter Center appeals to Guinea's political party leaders to allow the Supreme Court to resolve any disputes over election results and to reiterate their appeals for calm. At the same time, the Center welcomes pledges made by both candidates to constitute a government of national unity as a gesture of reconciliation regardless of who is declared winner by the Supreme Court. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed more than 50 observers across Sudan and overseas on Nov. 12 to observe the voter registration process for the Southern Sudan referendum on self-determination. The current deployment significantly increases the size of the Center's international observation mission and expands its presence to out-of-country registration locations in eight countries during the registration process, which was formally launched today by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC). The 56 observers join the Center's team of 16 long-term observers and additional core staff in Sudan. Learn more »
Public health officials at the 20th Inter-American Conference on Onchocerciasis in Antigua, Guatemala, confirmed that more than one-third of all Latin Americans who ran the risk of contracting river blindness (onchocerciasis), a leading cause of preventable blindness, are no longer at risk. Learn more »
Reservations are still available for the Nov. 9 Conversations at The Carter Center event, "After the War: Mental Health and a Veteran's Journey Home." In addition, attendees now will have the chance to participate in a special book signing immediately following the panel discussion. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates Guineans for the peaceful and orderly conduct of voting and the high-level of participation for the Nov. 7, 2010, presidential run-off election. The successful voting process is an overwhelming testament of Guineans' profound desire to express their will at the ballot box and to complete their historic democratic transition. The Carter Center salutes the enthusiasm and commitment of the Guinean people and electorate; all Guineans should be proud of what they have achieved so far. Learn more »
The largest single event in trachoma control history is underway. This week, the Lions-Carter Center SightFirst project, the Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, and the International Trachoma Initiative will provide Pfizer-donated antibiotic treatment to 10 million Ethiopians at risk for blinding trachoma. Learn more »
The Oct. 31 presidential election in Cote d'Ivoire was conducted in a calm environment with a high-level of voter participation. These elections marked a crucial step in Cote d'Ivoire's peace process and gave voters the opportunity to elect their next president in the country's first truly open contest. The Ivoirian people have exercised their right to vote; they also have the right to have their vote accurately recorded and ultimately respected by all candidates. Learn more »
Former Nigeria Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs John Stremlau will lead the Carter Center's international observation of Guinea's Nov. 7 runoff election. The Center's mission will deploy throughout the country 30 observers representing more than 13 nations. Learn more »
In its latest statement on Sudan's referenda processes, The Carter Center noted important progress by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB) in establishing and swearing in nearly all of the county subcommittees of Southern Sudan and publishing a referendum calendar. Learn more »
The unique challenges for mental health care and community reintegration faced by National Guard and reserve veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will be the topic of two events being held by The Carter Center in the two weeks prior to Veterans Day. Both events will be webcast live. Learn more »
Former Ghana President John Kufuor will co-lead the Carter Center's international election observation delegation to Cote d'Ivoire along with Dr. John Stremlau, Carter Center vice president for peace programs. The Center's mission will also include 40 observers representing 23 different countries. These presidential elections mark an important step in the country's peace process, as it seeks to put its civil war firmly in the past. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on all actors involved in Guinea's electoral process to contribute to a peaceful and orderly environment in the period before the presidential run-off election, while ensuring respect for the rights and safety of all individuals, no matter their conviction. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes Guinea's progress toward holding its historic runoff presidential election, and we urge both candidates, their supporters, and each CENI commissioner to ensure that the constitutional processes are respected to ensure that the will of the Guinean people can be freely expressed. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes Guinea's progress toward holding its historic runoff presidential election, and we urge both candidates, their supporters, and each CENI commissioner to ensure that the constitutional processes are respected to ensure that the will of the Guinean people can be freely expressed. Learn more »
oday, during a special ceremony in Atlanta, former U.S. President and Carter Center Founder Jimmy Carter received on behalf of The Carter Center two new pledges — $500,000 toward the Guinea Worm Eradication Program and $500,000 toward the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA) — from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), represented by His Excellency Director General Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed 10 long-term observers to regions around Côte d'Ivoire this week to assess preparations for the Oct.31, 2010, presidential election. The observers will meet with government and election authorities, political parties, civil society organizations, and domestic observer groups, as well as the United Nations and the international community. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deeply concerned about recent events in Ecuador and expresses its support for the constitutional government of this country and its democratically-elected President Rafael Correa Delgado. Learn more »
Former President Jimmy Carter is feeling normal this morning. His doctors at MetroHealth Medical Center recommended additional observation during the day. Learn more »
Former President Jimmy Carter will remain at MetroHealth Medical Center overnight. His medical team continues to observe his progress. Learn more »
The Carter Center election observation mission in Guinea is heartened by the Independent National Electoral Commission's (CENI) announcement recommending that the country's delayed run-off presidential election should be held on Oct. 10. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the Liberian National Legislature for its unanimous passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill. The Carter Center also commends the FOI Consortium, comprised of representatives of more than 10 civil society organizations and government agencies including the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, for its commitment to advancing the right of access to information in Liberia. Learn more »
The Carter Center condemns the recent attacks in the West Bank resulting in four murdered and two injured Israeli settlers. The military wing of Hamas has assumed responsibility. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is featured in two independently produced documentaries screening at The Carter Center as part of DocuFest Atlanta's 5th annual, five-day international film festival. Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, take a rare inside look at the challenges facing Carter Center health workers in remote, impoverished areas as they eradicate an alien-like disease in the premier of "Foul Water / Fiery Serpent." Learn more »
The Carter Center this week launched the Database of Obligations for Democratic Elections, the first of its kind to consolidate more than 150 sources of international law related to human rights and elections that can be used by international and domestic election observers to assess elections. The database represents a critical step in building consensus toward a single common set of internationally accepted criteria for assessing democratic elections. Learn more »
In the August 2010 issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, a new paper co-authored by experts from the Nigeria Ministry of Health, The Carter Center, and the World Health Organization, details Nigeria's historic triumph over many challenges to successfully eliminate the ancient waterborne plague Guinea worm disease (also known as dracunculiasis). Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates all Guinean presidential candidates and commends that the settlement of election disputes brought to the attention of the Supreme Court has been accepted by all parties. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates all Guinean presidential candidates and commends that the settlement of election disputes brought to the attention of the Supreme Court has been accepted by all parties. Learn more »
Le Centre Carter félicite tous les candidats présidentiels guinéens et applaudit le fait que les parties concernées aient soumis leurs contentieux électoraux auprès de la Cour Suprême et aient accepté la décision de cette dernière. Learn more »
The Carter Center expresses deep concern about the revocation of Jerusalem residency rights for three members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC): Muhammad Abu-Teir, Ahmad Attoun, and Muhammad Totah, as well as the former Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Khaled Abu Arafeh. Learn more »
After a highly competitive selection process, the Carter Center's Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, one of the only journalism fellowships exclusively for mental health, announced today the winners of its 2010-2011 awards. Learn more »
The June 27, 2010, elections represented an important political opening for the people of Guinea. These were the first elections to be held in Guinea without an incumbent candidate, which increased political space and the opportunity for participation by all sectors of society. Learn more »
Les élections du 27 Juin 2010, représentent une ouverture politique importante pour le peuple Guinéen. En Guinée, ces élections étaient les premières où le President sortant ne figurait pas sur le bulletin de vote; un fait qui a permit l'élargissement du champ politique et a donné l'opportunité à tous les secteurs de la société de participer. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria's former head of state, will co-lead the Center's international election observation delegation to Guinea along with Dr. John Stremlau, Carter Center vice president for peace programs. The Carter Center mission will also include more than 30 observers representing over 15 different nations deployed throughout the country. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center has found that the Maoists and successive governments have each only partially fulfilled land commitments as outlined in the November 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and subsequent agreements. Learn more »
The Carter Center observation mission in Guinea is encouraged by the positive tone of the electoral campaign in Guinea, including candidates' messages promoting reconciliation and transcending ethnic boundaries, and by the National Electoral Commission's (CENI) commitment to inclusive elections. Learn more »
La mission d'observation du Centre Carter en Guinée est encouragée par le ton positif de la campagne électorale en Guinée, aussi les messages des candidats, de promouvoir la réconciliation, transcender les limites ethniques, et par l'engagement de la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) de mener les élections inclusives. Cependant, le Centre conseille vivement la CENI d'adresser les défis restants en s'assurant que toutes la logistique électorale arrive à temps pour les élections, que le personnel des bureaux de votes soit suffisamment formé, et que le maximum de ses efforts soient étendu á l'éducation de l'électeur aussi largement que possible. Malgré ces défis, le Centre á l'espoir que tous les acteurs se sont engagés pour un processus transparent et l'acceptation des résultats d'une l'élection paisible et crédible. Ces conclusions sont détaillées dans le rapport ci-dessous. Learn more »
The Carter Center expresses deep regret for the loss of life and condemns the unprovoked and illegal Israeli assault on the humanitarian Gaza aid flotilla in international waters. Learn more »
The Carter Center will deploy eight long-term observers throughout Guinea this week to formally launch its international election observation mission of the country's June 27 elections. The mission is supported by an office in Conakry, which was established in mid-May and led by Field Office Representative John Koogler. Learn more »
The Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, with assistance from The Carter Center and Lions Clubs International Foundation, announced that the isolated desert area of Abu Hamad has stopped transmission of river blindness (onchocerciasis). Learn more »
The Carter Center is launching an 18-month USAID-funded project to strengthen the capacity of Liberia's local indigenous leaders to manage local disputes, as well as to provide the officers of the National Traditional Council enhanced ability to respond to major disputes. The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Traditional Council. Learn more »
The decision last year by a part of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional article 147 prohibiting consecutive re-election in the 1995 Constitution allowed President Daniel Ortega to propose his candidacy for reelection in 2011. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will lead a study mission to Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan April 13-21, 2008, as part of the Carter Center's ongoing effort to support peace, democracy, and human rights in the region. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on political leaders in Cote d'Ivoire to renew their commitment to genuine democratic elections and ensure necessary steps are taken to realize that goal as soon as possible. Cote d'Ivoire has made important strides to keep the peace process on track, but further delay could reverse those achievements. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Algerian Foreign Minister and member of the Elders Lakhdar Brahimi, Judge Joseph Warioba, and Carter Center President and CEO Dr. John Hardman will lead the Center's international election observation delegation to observe Sudan's April 2010 elections. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was announced today as winner of the XXII edition of the Catalonia International Prize for his "heart and courage" in defense of peace and human rights worldwide. Learn more »
In its latest statement on Sudan's electoral process, The Carter Center notes that while much has been achieved in organizing the 2010 elections, the country's first competitive elections since 1986, the process remains at risk on multiple fronts including the ability of candidates to campaign freely and the impact of delayed logistical preparations by the National Elections Commission (NEC). Learn more »
The Carter Center expresses serious concern about the growing incidence of threats and attacks on media personnel in Nepal. The Center strongly believes that a free and vibrant press is indispensable for the sustainability of a functioning democracy. Learn more »
Participants from the African Regional Conference on the Right of Access to Information today released the Regional Findings and Plan of Action to advance the right in Africa. Learn more »
Carter Center experts congratulate the people of Ecuador for breaking transmission of the blinding parasitic disease river blindness, or onchocerciasis. Ecuador is the second nation in the Americas after Colombia (in 2008) to stop the transmission of this debilitating, yet preventable affliction on a countrywide basis, according to officials of the Ministry of Health of Ecuador and the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program in the Americas (OEPA). Learn more »
According to a Carter Center report released today, Nepalis expect their new constitution to provide peace, security, and address basic needs. They support measures to promote equality, inclusivity, and education for all; end discrimination; uplift disadvantaged communities; and improve access to the state and justice system. Learn more »
Applications from U.S. residents are now being accepted for six one-year journalism fellowships with the Carter Center's Mental Health Program. These fellowships aim to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses through balanced and accurate reporting. Learn more »
In the dusty and remote village of Molujore, Terekeka County, Southern Sudan, food shortages are common, insecurity lingers, and survival is a daily struggle. Yet, important progress is being made in the effort to wipe out Guinea worm disease, resulting in the community being singled out for a visit from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Central Equatoria State Governor Clement Wani Konga, and Commissioner Clement Maring Samuel today to urge intensification of efforts to wipe out the waterborne parasitic infection during the next transmission season beginning in April. Learn more »
I have followed closely Nepal's progress over the last several years, and I commend you for your continued dedication to sustainable peace and inclusive democracy. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will travel to the world's most Guinea worm-endemic country—Sudan—Feb. 9-12, 2010, to personally appeal for completing eradication of the crippling waterborne parasite as soon as possible and to urge peace and stability in the nation as it prepares for its first multi-party elections in 24 years in April, which the Carter Center's international election observation team will monitor. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will lead the African Regional Conference on the Right of Access to Information Feb. 7-9, in Accra, Ghana, hosted by The Carter Center and its partners in Africa. Learn more »
The Carter Center hopes to observe presidential and legislative elections in Palestine, but will only consider the opportunity if the democratic principles and fundamental freedoms required for genuine and inclusive elections across the West Bank and Gaza are met. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, responding to recent allegations of attempted fraud in Cote d'Ivoire's election preparations, called for an objective and transparent resolution of the issue, noting that the claims "should not be used to discredit the other important achievements, to delay unduly the election, or to challenge previous political agreements that serve as the basis to conduct the elections." Learn more »
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