Mission and Vision

About Us

Carter Center Guiding Principles

Mission

The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. It seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

  • The Center emphasizes action and measurable results. Based on careful research and analysis, it is prepared to take timely action on important and pressing issues.
  • The Center seeks to break new ground and not duplicate the effective efforts of others.
  • The Center addresses difficult problems in difficult situations and recognizes the possibility of failure as an acceptable risk.
  • The Center is nonpartisan, actively seeks complementary partnerships, and works collaboratively with other organizations from the highest levels of government to local communities.
  • The Center believes that people can improve their own lives when provided with the necessary skills, knowledge, and access to resources.

Vision

We envision a world where communities have the tools, resources, and support to wage peace, fight disease, and build hope. We will deliver that vision by doing the hard things in hard places while deliberately transferring ownership to our in-country staff, partners, and stakeholders as one Carter Center.

  • Health: We seek to advance human rights by leveraging expertise in disease control, elimination, and eradication as well as mental health and caregiving, collaborating with peace and across health programs, and building the capacity of health systems where we work.
  • Peace: We seek to uphold the vision of the Center’s founders by working with local stakeholders to prevent and mediate conflicts and to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.