China

In a groundbreaking agreement, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China in 1997 granted The Carter Center permission to observe village elections that govern everyday life for more than 1 billion citizens.

Waging Peace

For more than a decade, at the invitation of the Chinese government, The Carter Center has worked to help standardize the vast array of electoral procedures taking place in this new democratic environment and foster better governance in local communities. Today, while continuing to monitor local elections, the program is focused on opening Internet dialogue, strengthening access to information, rural and urban community building, and civic education about rights, laws, and political participation.

Read full text on the Carter Center's peace work in China >