Ecuador

The Carter Center, working through the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas, has been working in Ecuador since 1996. As a result of disease prevention efforts, more and more people are able to live without the threat of one day permanently losing their sight. The Center has been at work in Ecuador since 1998, at the country's invitation, to assist with elimination of government corruption, monitor elections, and facilitate dialogue between neighboring countries.

Waging Peace

In response to an invitation by the Supreme Electoral Court (Tribunal Supremo Electoral) of Ecuador, The Carter Center fielded an electoral observation mission during the constituent assembly election held on Sept. 30, 2007. During the campaign, Carter Center representatives met with the president and vice-president of the Republic, the president of congress, dignitaries of the national and provincial governments, political leaders and candidates, members of civil society, and the media. According to reports from Carter Center observers, who worked in close collaboration with the missions of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU), on Sept. 30, despite some procedural problems, Ecuadorians turned out to vote in a peaceful, orderly, and legitimate election.

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

Fighting Disease

Latin America has made great strides to control river blindness, so that now – provided treatment and health education initiatives continue – permanent blindness from the disease is no longer a threat. Yet, until two decades ago, those who suffered from this painful and devastating disease had no hope for treatment.

Read full text on the Carter Center's health work in Ecuador >