Peace Programs

Join Us and Wage Peace in the World

Peace Programs

The Carter Center is recognized as a pioneer and leader in the field of election observation. It has monitored 115 elections in 40 countries, helping to ensure democratic elections that reflect the will of the people. When the Center first started observing elections in the late 1980s, the Cold War was ending and a wave of democratization was spreading globally. In the last 10 years, however, the trend toward greater democracy has plateaued, and citizens in many parts of the globe are now confronting challenges from authoritarian governments and narrowing political space. 

“At The Carter Center, we believe all people are entitled to basic human rights. When people have these rights, they feel a sense of justice and self-worth. These are the seeds of peace.”-Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter

Beyond elections, the Center seeks to deepen democracy by nurturing full citizen participation in public policy-making and by helping to establish government institutions that bolster the rule of law, fair administration of justice, access to information, and government transparency.

A culture of respect for human rights is crucial to permanent peace. The Center supports the efforts of human rights activists at the grass roots, while also working to advance national and international human rights laws that uphold the dignity and worth of each individual.

When democracy backslides or formal diplomacy fails, the Center offers conflict resolution expertise and has furthered avenues for peace in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.

Since 1982, The Carter Center has shown that creating a world at peace is a very possible journey, one step at a time.

Current peacemaking initiatives touch all corners of the globe and include: