Today, the program helps deepen inter-American relations through high-level policy conferences on hemispheric issues. The initial emphasis on promoting democracy through elections has evolved into second-generation projects to ensure new democracies are meaningful in everyday life. Striving to make governments more accountable, the program helps citizens and governments fight corruption, develop methods to make political financing more transparent, and involve civic groups in public dialogue with governments on crucial national issues and laws.

The Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas is key to these efforts. Based at the Americas Program, the Council includes more than 35 current and former leaders from the Western Hemisphere led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The Council uses its experience and voice to give visibility to pressing issues, search for cooperative solutions to problems, bring together divided countries, and promote policy reform and concrete action by multilateral organizations, governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations. Read more on how the Council promotes democracy throughout the hemisphere.

The Carter Center's neutrality and record of achievement give the Peace Programs the credibility needed to work nationally, regionally, and globally to advance many components of peace. The Peace Programs include the:

    * Americas Program to improve the quality of democracy, thwart corruption, increase transparency, and decrease social inequities in the Western Hemisphere
    * Conflict Resolution Program to prevent and resolve armed and political conflicts around the globe
    * Democracy Program to work worldwide for the development of democratic societies by observing elections, strengthening the capacity of civic organizations, and promoting the rule of law
    * Global Development Initiative to assist developing countries with the expertise to help them devise their own plans for sustainable development, and the
    * Human Rights Initiatives to intervene on behalf of victims of human rights abuses and to integrate human rights approaches and principles into the activities of all Carter Center programs.

Whether working on anti-corruption efforts in Latin America, conflict resolution in Sudan, a national development strategy in Mali, or with civil society groups in Guyana or Mozambique, the end result is the empowerment of people. The Center's work creates long-term effects by laying and strengthening frameworks within a country's institutions, whether it's through the electoral commission, judicial court, or a network of nongovernmental organizations seeking a voice in the national agenda.

Current Peace Initiatives:

    * Observing elections in emerging democracies or those in danger of backsliding from democracy
    * Seeking an end to the civil war in Sudan
    * Promoting inter-American relations through the Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas
    * Encouraging national reconciliation in Liberia
    * Helping citizens and governments fight corruption by supporting access to information laws
    * Mediating peaceful transfers of authority in contested elections
    * Mediating between the Venezuelan government and opposition to help resolve the political crisis
    * Strengthening the capacity of civic organizations to participate in public policy making and promoting the rule of law
    * Advocating for stronger international human rights systems and helping new democracies establish human rights laws and institutions
    * Promoting democratic accountability by developing methods to make political financing more transparent and involving civic groups in public dialogue with governments on crucial national issues and laws
    * Promoting sustainable development through comprehensive country-specific strategies and more effective global development cooperation.