At Work Around the World

United States

Since 1992, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has chaired the World Federation for Mental Health's Committee of International Women Leaders for Mental Health, a global coalition of approximately 50 first ladies, royalty, and heads of state.


Building Hope

Most of the Carter Center's programming occurs outside the United States, with the exception of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's Mental Health Program. In conjunction with national partners, the program is building hope for a future where all Americans with mental disorders will receive access to treatment they need.


Fighting Disease

The Mental Health Program
The Center's Mental Health Task Force is chaired by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. This body sets the agenda for the Center's Mental Health Program, which works to combat stigma against people with mental illness, foster development of mental health services for children and families, promote access to quality mental health care, and raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide. The program hosts an annual national symposium and statewide forum to encourage mental health organizations to coordinate efforts and facilitate advancements in the field. Additionally, the annual Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism were established in 1997 to promote accurate reporting of mental health issues.

Since 1992, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has chaired the World Federation for Mental Health's Committee of International Women Leaders for Mental Health, a global coalition of nearly 50 first ladies, royalty, and heads of state. The committee's goals are to raise awareness about mental health issues and encourage action to meet identified needs in individual countries. The Carter Center's Mental Health Program assists in convening periodic meetings of this prestigious group as it works to improve mental health worldwide.


Waging Peace

Recognizing Human Rights
The Carter-Menil Human Rights Prize was awarded in 1992 to two U. S. groups: the Haitian Refugee Center, founded to protect the civil and constitutional rights of Haitians seeking refuge in the United States, and the Native American Rights Fund, a national advocacy group specializing in the law and legal representation of Native Americans.

President Carter and Dominique de Menil established the $100,000 prize to recognize individuals or organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of human rights, often at great personal sacrifice. The award enables human rights activists to continue their work and focuses global attention on their struggles for justice.

The Atlanta Project
The Carter Center launched The Atlanta Project in 1991 to address some of the complex and entrenched social problems associated with urban poverty in the city. Based on grassroots participation by volunteers and community leaders, The Atlanta Project worked to generate creative responses in the areas of education, housing, economic development, health, and criminal justice.



Election Reports

Observing the 1999 Cherokee Nation Elections (PDF)
Final report of the Carter Center Cherokee Nation election delegations to the May 22, 1999, primary elections and the July 24, 1999, runoff elections. 


Postelection Statement on Cherokee Nation Elections, July 25, 1999
The Carter Center accepted the invitation of The Cherokee Nation Election Commission in Oklahoma to observe the Cherokee Nation elections in May 1999 and, at the invitation of the commission, agreed to return to observe the July 24 runoff elections for the principal chief, deputy chief, and two of the 15 seats of the Tribal Council. 


Postelection Statement on Cherokee Nation Elections, June 1, 1999
Before going into details, we would once again like to congratulate you on your dedication to well-run tribal elections and to the professionalism and unflappability of your staff. 


Postelection Statement on Cherokee Nation Election, May 23, 1999
Earlier this month, The Carter Center accepted the invitation of the Cherokee Nation Election Commission to visit Oklahoma and observe the May 22, 1999, elections for principal chief, deputy chief, and 15 Tribal Council members.