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THE Reviews CARTER Conflict Resolution Agenda esponding to the changing nature held their inaugural meeting in November. CENTER of world conflict and negotiation Replacing the former International Rmethods, The Carter Center Negotiation Network, Council membership reshaped its international advisory group will be rotated, broadening areas of NEWS of conflict resolution experts this fall. expertise among scholars, negotiation New members of the International experts, and eminent peacemakers in the Council on Conflict Resolution (ICCR) group. Among those who have agreed to participate are former Swedish Prime JANUARY–JUNE 2002 Minister Carl Bildt, former U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. IN THIS ISSUE Bill Richardson. “There are many kinds of conflicts in UP FRONT Annemarie Poyo Photo by the world and not all of them can be solved Carter Center Reviews Conflict through classic diplomatic approaches. Resolution Agenda ...... 1 The Council will look at how we might Announcements Target African Com- think more creatively about the types of munities: Stop Guinea Worm Now . .1 techniques used to address various kinds From the Executive Director ...... 2 Mr. Laurie Nathan, executive director for of disputes and advise the Center on where Profile: Dr. James Zingeser ...... 2 the Center for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town, South , listens as Mrs. Sadako we might play a useful role,” said Conflict PEACE Ogata discusses ways to address conflict. continued on page 4 Center Works to Implement Nairobi Agreement ...... 4 Center Observers Assist Worldwide . . .5 Program Combats Announcements Target African Communities: Corruption in Jamaica ...... 6 New Program Name Reflects Changes ...... 7 Stop Guinea Worm Now HEALTH he Carter Center, in President Carter Promotes River partnership with Voice Blindness Efforts ...... 8 Tof America (VOA), offi- Children’s Needs cially launched an air war against

Take Center Stage ...... 10 Guinea worm disease when the Photo by Emily Howard Mental Health Fellows Announced . .11 first messages in a massive public service campaign were broadcast NEWS BRIEFS throughout Africa in December. News Briefs ...... 12 In the announcements, President Carter called on “every man, woman, and child to do THE their part to stop Guinea worm CARTER CENTER now.” Former General Yakubu Gowon and former Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure, long- Filtering all drinking water is a key element in time African leaders in the eradicating Guinea worm disease. Guinea worm eradication effort, also are spokespersons for the campaign. effort to prevent and eventually eradicate One VOA has agreed to air as many public Guinea worm in the remaining 13 African , GA 30307 service announcements as necessary for countries where the disease occurs. (404) 420-5100 as long as necessary in a collaborative continued on page 9 www.cartercenter.org UP FRONT

From the Executive Director

n 2002, we celebrate the 20th anni- values and goals that have guided our work versary of the founding of The Carter since 1982. ICenter to wage peace, fight disease, As The Carter Center looks forward and build hope worldwide. Underlying our to celebrating its 20th anniversary, we take work is the principle that basic human pride in our accomplishments. We have rights—the right to live in peace, have assisted the forward march of adequate food and , and a voice in some 20 countries across the globe. We in choosing political leaders—comprise built a global coalition that has eradicated the foundation for the human spirit to 98 percent of all cases of Guinea worm flourish and societies to prosper. There disease. We helped double and triple always has been an imminent need to crop yields throughout Africa, worked to secure these rights for people provide a better for worldwide, but the events of people with mental illness Sept. 11, 2001, raised the worldwide, and helped avert collective consciousness conflict in , Africa, about the urgent need and . Yet, John Hardman, M.D. for the work of The in many ways, recent Carter Center. events emphasize that and religion around the globe, people Reflection on the our work has just begun. who want the same things we do—basic terrorist attacks led us During the next 20 freedoms, adequate health care, and a state to reaffirm the Center’s years and beyond, The of peace in which to live and raise their founding mission to alleviate Carter Center will continue children. As President and Mrs. Carter the root causes of sharing its knowledge and often have said, “Our only failure would and conflict around the world. resources with people of every race be not to try.” Eradicating and controlling disease, reducing hunger by increasing food production, safeguarding , strengthening democracy and freedom, PROFILE: DR. JAMES ZINGESER and achieving sustainable development are critical to eliminating the desperate conditions exploited by terrorists. Securing Hope In Disease- Many new and long-standing friends of the Center have contacted us recently to say they now have a better understanding Ravaged Nations of the need for the Carter Center’s work. “ espite all the success The Carter Center apply the experiences and knowl- They see more clearly than ever that help- Center has had in the eradication edge gained from Guinea worm eradication ing others learn to help themselves is at of Guinea worm disease, what and river blindness control efforts to the heart of democracy and true freedom. D chance does hope have in an environment achieve control of blinding . The mission of The Carter Center to where another debilitating disease hangs Working with governments and other alleviate suffering and secure human rights over the people?” partners, the Trachoma Control Program has become integral to a now-pressing That is a question Dr. James Zingeser, now uses community-based interventions, global objective as our nation strives to senior epidemiologist at The Carter Center, research, and advocacy to fight trachoma address the threat of terrorism. asked himself in developing the Center’s in countries where the Center has eradi- Our country has been changed, but plan to control trachoma, the world’s cated, or is working to eradicate, Guinea our resolve as a people united to promote leading cause of preventable blindness. worm disease. and protect the freedoms and ideas that Dr. Zingeser believes he has an answer that In the 1990s, the World Health have made our nation great has not been will ensure his plan’s success, and results to Organization developed the SAFE strategy shaken. Here at The Carter Center we date are proving him right. to prevent and/or treat trachoma. Some also remain committed to the basic human Dr. Zingeser proposed The Carter organizations began by focusing on the

2 UP FRONT

surgical and parts of the strategy, program, reinforcing each other.” distribution system for . In some as there was little knowledge of how to Dr. Zingeser, a veterinarian who countries, Pfizer Inc. donates Zithromax® achieve behavioral and environmental specialized in epidemiology, for annual treatment of trachoma patients. changes to prevent trachoma. The Conrad served with the Centers for Disease The Trachoma Control Program is N. Hilton Foundation knew of the Carter Control and Prevention before coming possible thanks to generous grants from the Center’s success in changing behavior to The Carter Center and spent three Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Lions in the Guinea worm program and asked years as technical advisor for the Guinea Clubs International. In addition, Pfizer the Center experts to see if they could worm program in the Republic of Niger. Inc., the World Health Organization, apply their knowledge to the fight against Health education is important to all Helen Keller Worldwide, the International trachoma. In 1998, The Carter Center of the Center’s health programs, including Trachoma Initiative, and World Vision took on the challenge of the “F” and “E” trachoma. Dr. Zingeser said, “We observe International are indispensable partners. of SAFE. the personal hygiene habits of parents and “We can’t be satisfied with success in children, then help them make facial one program,” Dr. Zingeser said, “when the cleanliness part of their household routine. people we work with in underdeveloped The SAFE strategy to control A concurrent effort is made to improve the countries continue to face other crippling trachoma: “S” stands for environment—helping communities build but preventable diseases. Our goal is to and improve access to safe water.” fight disease, but we never lose sight of surgery, “A” for antibiotics, In areas where support for the anti- the Carter Center’s mission to build hope. “F” for facial cleanliness to biotic aspect of the SAFE strategy is Building hope is key in our struggle to lacking, the Center draws on its experience break the cycle of disease and poverty prevent transmitting the disease, with river blindness control to help inter- that grips so many countries in the and “E” for environmental national and local organizations develop a world today.”

changes to improve hygiene Salissou Kane, and sanitation. Global 2000 resident technical advisor, and Dr. Jim Zingeser Trachoma is a chronic bacterial team up to control infection that spreads easily from person to trachoma in Niger. person. Repeated infections result in scar The Carter Center tissue on the inside of eyelids, eventually helps implement the turning eyelashes inward, which causes SAFE strategy by focusing on health abrasions of the cornea and, finally, education and envi- irreversible blindness. “I’ve been in ronmental change. villages in West Africa where virtually every person suffers from trachoma,” said Dr. Zingeser, “older people unable to work and young people plagued by repeated eye infections, many of whom will go blind unless treated. “The tragedy is that this is unnecessary. Unlike cataracts, for example, trachoma can be prevented with simple changes in household and environmental hygiene.” Dr. Zingeser expects early success will come from integrating the Guinea worm and trachoma programs. In Yemen, for example, the Center is working with the same partners who successfully eradicated Guinea worm there. “On the other hand, in countries like Ghana and Nigeria, the trachoma program works simultaneously with the Guinea worm

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Center Works to International Council on Conflict Resolution

Implement Nairobi Ali Alatas. Former Minister for Foreign Laurie Nathan. Executive Director, Affairs, Indonesia Center for Conflict Resolution, University Agreement Dame Margaret Anstee. Former Under of Cape Town Secretary-General; Former Special Mrs. Sadako Ogata. Scholar in Residence, he Conflict Resolution Program Representative of Secretary-General Ford Foundation; Former Tcontinues work to implement the in Angola High Commissioner for Refugees December 1999 Nairobi Agreement Carl Bildt. Former Prime Minister of Lord David Owen. Director, The Center brokered by President Carter between Sweden; Special Envoy of the Secretary for International Health and Cooperation the governments of and . General of the United Nations to the Giandomenico Picco. Chief Executive Significant progress has been made in Balkans Officer, GDP Associates, Inc. recent months. Diplomatic exchanges Daniel Bowling. Association for Ambassador Sir Kieran Prendergast. resumed in July 2001 after a five-year Conflict Resolution Under Secretary-General for Political break. Since then, Sudan President Ambassador Vitaly Churkin. Russian Affairs, United Nations Omar al Bashir visited Uganda twice and, Ambassador to Canada Ambassador Bill Richardson. Chairman, most recently, Uganda President Yoweri Samuel Gbaydee Doe. Executive Director, Freedom House Museveni completed his first state visit West African Network for Peace Building Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun. to Sudan in six years. Dr. Mari Fitzduff. Director, Initiative Special Advisor to the United Nations As relations improve between Sudan on Conflict Resolution and Ethnicity Secretary-General and Uganda, the program will continue Ms. Angela King. Assistant Secretary- Ambassador Mary Simon. The Canadian to work with the governments to try to General, United Nations; Special Advisor Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs with end peacefully the activities of the Lord’s on Gender Issues and the Advancement the Department of Foreign Affairs and of Women International Trade in Ottawa, Canada Resistance Army (LRA), a Ugandan rebel group based in Sudan. Over the last three Ambassador Lansana Kouyate. Executive General Sir Rupert Smith. Former Secretary, The Economic Community of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, months, the Conflict Resolution Program West African States NATO conducted a number of community peace- Dr. Chris Mitchell. Institute for Paul Van Tongeren. Executive Director, building activities in northern Uganda Conflict Analysis and Resolution, European Center for Conflict Prevention and continues to support the repatriation George Mason University Dr. William Ury. Project on Preventing of former LRA combatants, including Joseph Montville. Director of War, Harvard University abducted children. During this same time Preventative Diplomacy, Center for Dr. William Zartman. The School of period, international momentum has built Strategic and International Studies Advanced International Studies, The toward revitalizing a viable peace process Dr. Makumi Mwagiru. Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Sudan itself. President Carter and The Diplomacy and International Studies, Carter Center remain deeply committed University of Nairobi; Director, Center to seeing peace in Sudan and are actively for Conflict Research engaged in efforts to support this process.

continued from cover page by ethnic, religious, and economic reasons. At the meeting, President Carter Conflict Resolution, cont. It requires a whole new set of mechanisms. welcomed new members of the ICCR, The ICCR has been set up precisely to deal providing them with guidance on the Resolution Program Director Ben Hoffman. with this gap.” basic principles of The Carter Center’s There are 110 existing armed conflicts The leaders also discussed ways they involvement in conflict situations. He in the world, with 30 of them major wars might bridge the gap between the official stressed the importance of acting where in which 1,000 or more soldiers have been diplomatic community and professional other organizations or actors cannot or will killed on the battlefield. dispute resolution practitioners, including not act as well as the need to take bold “The nature and scope of world increasing the frequency and quality of action to wage peace. Members of the conflict has changed dramatically over dialogue between the professions. “The ICCR not only advise The Carter Center the last 20 years,” said Council member international community does not have but also participate in conflict resolution William Ury, Ph.D., of the Harvard Project a broad, proactive strategy to use conflict projects. In November, they brainstormed on Preventing War. “Now we’ve got to resolution methods to prevent conflict or further approaches to the Center’s peace- deal with intrastate wars that are driven build peace,” said Hoffman. making efforts in Sudan.

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Center Election Observers Assist Worldwide

s the continuing movement Africa is critical for toward democracy worldwide stability and progress Aentered the first year of the new across the continent. millennium, staff from the Democracy The flawed Zambian and Americas Programs were very active, elections demonstrated

observing seven elections in Africa, important progress as Photo by Rossana Lacayo Asia, and Latin America in 2001. well as the serious chal- “The Carter Center helped develop lenges that remain.” the model for international election NICARAGUA: observation now used worldwide and Procedures observed broadly accepted internationally as a way by a Carter Center to measure the freeness and fairness of mission to Nicaragua’s electoral processes,” said Charles Costello, presidential elections director of the Center’s Democracy President Carter discusses policy with Nicaragua President- in November were elect Enrique Bolaños during the Center’s election mission Program. “People look to us to help them generally smooth and in November. build hope through free elections. They fair, but behind-the- know we will be objective and neutral scenes politicking to determine party refine its political institutions, including and speak out with the truth.” eligibility to be on the ballot revealed the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE), institutional weaknesses in the decade-old Here’s how things shaped up democracy. Now Nicaragua is challenged to continued next page during missions since July.

ZAMBIA: A December observation dam Mapani stood in the mud, mission for the presidential and parliamen- wiped his brow, and looked back tary elections in Zambia reported that at the small, dimly lit building vote-counting procedures sometimes were A and sighed. He had not slept in more chaotic and that the tabulation of results than 24 hours, and now, he had a host of in constituency centers and at the Electoral Nyambe Photo by Victor problems as the top polling official in Commission was not fully transparent. one of Lusaka’s most crowded and poor- The delegation, which was co-led by est areas. former Nigeria Head of State Abdulsalami Mapani was in charge of overseeing Abubakar, former Benin President about 100 polling sites in Matero, an Mapani talks to another local election Nicéphore Soglo, and former Tanzania area of dirt roads, small cement homes, official at a polling station in Matero. Prime Minister Judge Joseph Warioba, and desperate poverty. Electricity was lauded the large voter turnout and voters’ rare, and many polling sites in Zambia’s patience with long lines and procedural third presidential election since achiev- faced a lack of supplies, such as ballot delays at polling sites. On Jan. 2, 2002, ing independence in 1964 were nothing papers and fabric to construct voting the governing party candidate, Levy more than a tent. booths. An election date in the middle Mwanawasa, was sworn in as president, “I pitched tents last night,” said of the rainy season made transportation having won just 29 percent of the vote the full-time schoolteacher, who was difficult. As he checked on his sites and narrowly defeating a divided opposi- on holiday break. “I’ve never pitched a walking the muddy roads along with the tion, which lodged claims of vote rigging. tent before. I’ve had no sleep. Look at masses, he told an international observer “Although the Center has serious my eyes.” that he is doing his job to ensure a good concerns about reports of irregularities in This is Mapani’s third time as election process. the vote tabulation, we have not seen clear an election official, having served in “This election needs to go well,” he evidence of vote rigging,” said Democracy Zambia’s 1991 and 1996 presidential said. “It is my dedication to my country. Program Associate Director David Carroll. elections. He and other electoral officials It’s my interest; it pushes me.” “The strengthening of democratic institu- tions and electoral processes in southern

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Elections, continued from previous page which oversaw the country’s Nov. 4 election in which Vice President Enrique Bolaños defeated former Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega. Photo by Suzanne Ogden “The CSE is to be commended on a free election, but it has challenges to overcome for future elections,” said Dr. Shelley McConnell, associate director of the Center’s Americas Program. “Partisan politics within the CSE hampered the effectiveness of election procedures.”

BANGLADESH: An August mission to Bangladesh by former U.S. President on behalf of The Carter Center and the Washington, D.C.-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) resulted in the first serious meeting in years between rivals in upcoming parlia- mentary elections, during which they made commitments to ensure a democratic and peaceful election. Voters in Quanwang Village, Zhouzhuang Town, present their voter IDs to Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack receive ballots. on the , The Carter Center and NDI canceled a mission to observe distributed to local authorities. “We first Constituent Assembly was elected. the Oct. 1 election; however, when inter- hope our advice on procedures that can “The election serves as an example to national and domestic observers reported qualitatively improve village elections other countries in the Pacific region and the election met international standards, in China will help build the base for the rest of the world that are working President Carter issued a public statement democratic values in that country,” to strengthen democratic political urging the losing Awami league to cease Costello said. institutions in the face of serious inflammatory charges of massive rigging challenges,” said delegation co-leader EAST TIMOR: The Carter Center saw a and “accept the results of the election U.S. Representative Eni Faleomavaega peaceful election here in August, a stark of American Samoa. With independence in order to strengthen Bangladesh’s demo- contrast to the balloting for independence cratic institutions for the long term” and slated for May 2002, the East Timorese two years ago that was marred by violence have turned to the task of writing a continue its leadership role in opposition. by the Indonesian military. Voter turnout “This is the essence of democracy,” he said. constitution for their new state of was high, and the emerging democracy’s Timor Loro Sa’e. CHINA: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter led a small delegation in September to observe a village election outside Shanghai and to speak in Beijing at the Americas Program Combats Center-sponsored international symposium Villager Self-government and the Development of Rural Society in China. The Carter Corruption in Jamaica Center has assisted the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs since 1998 in a project to n a recent survey, Jamaicans said with Jamaicans and Prime Minister standardize electoral procedures among corruption is the second greatest P. J. Patterson to erase this threat. the more than 700,000 villages in China. Ithreat to their democracy, more so than Corruption can lead to poverty, During the recent mission, 50,000 copies drugs and poverty. As part of its multiyear disenfranchisement, and violence by of the updated Handbook on Village Election project on transparency, the Carter Procedures were printed and Center’s Americas Program is working continued next page

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Jamaica, continued from previous page “The Parliament debated for eight months, and more than diverting scarce resources from public 40 amendments were made to services and putting them in the pockets the Corruption Prevention Act of politicians and corrupt contractors. The in order to strengthen it—

Americas Program combats corruption by many suggested by The Carter Design by M. B. Roberson working with governments and civil society Center,” Neuman said. to develop ways to monitor corruption. “We will continue our A second guide, Greater "transparency" in government- partnership with the Fostering business interactions can improve investor government, the Jamaican Transparency confidence, spur economic growth, provide Media Association, the and Preventing Corruption in better public services to the population, private sector, and civil and increase public confidence in demo- Jamaica, was society groups to ensure published recently cratic institutions. effective implementation by the Americas When The Carter Center began its and enforcement of the new laws.” Program. work in Jamaica, Patterson’s administration had just drafted both an act aimed at preventing corruption and a freedom of information law. “There were a number of concerns New Program Name Reflects relating to the first draft of the corruption prevention act,” said Laura Neuman, senior program associate of the Center’s Americas Changes in Western Hemisphere Program. “For example, under the law finally passed, civil servants are required to he Carter Center’s 15-year-old the regional anti-corruption convention, submit annual asset declarations, and a fine Latin American and Caribbean progress on trade agreements, incorporating is imposed if corruption is indicated. The TProgram has a new name—the into the hemisphere of , initial draft law called for an even larger Americas Program—that reflects both the and arms control (the sale of advanced fine against the media if they published a comprehensive nature of the program and weaponry from the United States to copy of the corrupt asset declaration or the changing relationship between North countries in the region). information from it. The law essentially America and the rest of the hemisphere. muzzled the media.” The Center’s Board of Councilors approved the name change in October 2001. A name that embraces “The Latin America and Caribbean the entire hemisphere best Corruption can lead to Program always focused on issues within reflects our work. poverty, disenfranchisement, Latin America, particularly democratiza- tion or ways to improve the quality of and violence by diverting democracy,” said Jennifer McCoy, Ph.D., “With the rise of democracy, in which scarce resources into the director, the Americas Program. “However, values and rules of the game are shared, we’ve also worked on inter-American pockets of politicians and nearly all of the countries in the hemi- relations and on deepening the relationship sphere are coming closer together,” said corrupt contractors. between North America and the rest of the Dr. McCoy. “I see a willingness to work hemisphere, so a name that embraces the together on issues such as recognition of entire hemisphere best reflects our work.” environmental threats and the plight of The Americas Program commissioned Intra-country issues addressed by the people who are unemployed and want to papers analyzing similar proposed laws and Americas Program include corruption, immigrate to other countries. We also have compiled them into the booklet Combating transparency, and campaign and political the goal of a free trade agreement for the Corruption in Jamaica: A Citizen’s Guide. party finance. Concerns that involve more Americas. That agreement will create the All 1,000 copies were taken in a matter than one country, including the United largest trading block in the world and will of weeks, and the information was listed States, include protecting democracy set the hemisphere apart as an entity.” on the Web site of the largest Jamaican through the new Organization of American newspaper. States Democracy Charter, implementing

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Oaxaca since 1998, while the disease On the Road With President continues to spread in Chiapas, where political unrest has interfered with delivery of Mectizan. However, the overall effort Carter: Targeting River Blindness has been very successful. We have been the lead agency among This past November, former President million, of which about 600,000 treatments the endemic countries in this hemisphere, Jimmy Carter attended the 11th annual per year are in the Americas. Results vary and there are several other organizations InterAmerican Conference on even within countries. For instance, in that share this responsibility with us in in Mexico City, which brought together Mexico there have been no new cases in Africa, where we are treating about 6.5 high-level representatives from the six onchocerciasis- or river blindness-endemic countries in the Americas to discuss recent findings that, under certain conditions, it is feasible to eliminate river blindness in the Americas. Occurring mostly in Africa, the disease also threatens about 540,000 people in Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, , , and Brazil.

President Carter’s report follows.

iver blindness is caused by the bite of small black flies, not much Rbigger than gnats, that Americas Photo by Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the breed only in rapidly flowing streams with high oxygen content. As centuries have passed, people have abandoned rich bottomland near rivers and moved to less fertile hillside areas to avoid contact with the insects. It is estimated that people in affected areas are bitten more than 20,000 times each year, so everyone in an endemic village will harbor the disease. For many years, river blindness could be prevented by only two methods: either to treat the stream with insecticides to kill the fly larvae or to administer a strong medicine with serious side effects. But some years ago, when it was discovered that , a veterinary medicine used to prevent heartworms in animals, was also effective in its human formulation against river blindness, Merck & Co.’s chief executive officer, Dr. Roy Vagelos, came to Atlanta and offered their Mectizan® tablets free of charge, provided we could work out a procedure whereby the medicine could be safely distributed in remote areas. Today, The Carter Center has helped to deliver 35 million treatments directly to Health workers in Latin America measure a young woman’s height to determine individuals in endemic villages, and we are her correct dosage of Mectizan, the medication administered twice a year to treat now maintaining an annual rate of seven river blindness. 8 HEALTH

million people in five countries. Our lead to hatred and violence. “Educating people about what they can partners in the Americas are International At the conference, Dr. Julio Frenk do to prevent Guinea worm is critical to Lions Clubs, the Pan-American Health Mora, Mexico’s secretary of health, speak- our efforts to rid the world of the 75,000 Organization, the InterAmerican ing for Mexican President Vicente Fox, cases of Guinea worm disease that remain,” Development Bank, the Centers for stated Mexico’s firm commitment to stop said Donald Hopkins, M.D., associate Disease Control, and national health onchocerciasis transmission in Mexico by executive director of health programs departments. The work of the Center and the end of his administration. Dr. Maria at The Carter Center. “No or its partners has helped reduce the number Neira of the World Health Organization medications are effective against the of people at risk in the Americas from 4.7 also assured the group of her organization’s disease. Guinea worm has to be prevented million in 1995 to an estimated 500,000 intent to assist countries in the certifica- by the people themselves.” people today. tion of elimination process. Guinea worm is a Our primary goal is to reduce the contracted when people drink water ravages of the disease, but we now have contaminated with microscopic fleas hope that onchocerciasis might become continued from cover page carrying infective larvae. Inside the human the next disease to be totally eradicated Stop Guinea Worm, cont. body, the larvae can grow to three feet in from the Americas, after smallpox, Guinea length, emerging through painful blisters worm, and . The program in the “The Africa division of Voice of approximately one year later. Worms can Americas uses two doses of Mectizan each America is proud to work with The Carter take up to two months to be completely year, compared to a single dose in Africa, Center in its campaign to eliminate removed, and even then, secondary and the results have been encouraging. We Guinea worm in Africa. Part of VOA’s infections may occur. Victims immerse are convinced that regional eradication of broadcasting mission is to share with its their limbs, seeking relief from the burning river blindness will occur in the Americas listeners the information they need to live sensation caused by emerging worms, and if we can treat at least 85 percent of the long and healthy lives; radio is one of the in doing so recontaminate drinking water people twice a year. During the conference, best ways to share this kind of informa- and pass the disease to others as the worm each of the endemic countries reported tion,” said Gwen Dillard, Africa division releases more larvae. significant progress toward reaching director, Voice of America. “Along with “Public service announcements were the regional goal of 85 percent or more The Carter Center, we look forward to a crafted to educate and encourage people to coverage, and each country had improved day when Guinea worm no longer exists make the behavioral changes necessary to coverage from the previous year. in Africa.” stop the transmission cycle,” said Emily Since 1986, The Carter Center has Howard, Carter Center public information led the global campaign against Guinea coordinator. “We built the messages around We now have hope that worm in an effort to make it the second key elements of the larger Guinea worm onchocerciasis might become disease to be eradicated in human history eradication campaign, highlighting slogans and the first disease to be overcome such as ‘Prevent it—Avoid it—Filter it— the next disease to be totally without a single or medication. Report it’ and ‘Think before you drink.’” eradicated from the Americas. The Carter Center’s Guinea Worm VOA not only has donated airtime to Eradication Program and Office of Public the Guinea worm campaign but also has Information developed a dozen messages committed to a long-term partnership with This is an exciting project, with to be read by native African speakers, first The Carter Center, its programs, and onchocerciasis being one of five tropical to be aired in English, Hausa, and French, health education. diseases with which we contend. The followed by Arabic, Fulani, and Bambara. others are trachoma, the number-one cause of preventable blindness; , or Guinea worm disease; ; ENGLISH: Guinea worm disease and . We feel that good Prevent it—Avoid it—Filter it—Report it health is one of the basic human rights, and we work especially to target prevent- HAUSA: Kurkunu able afflictions that are confined to people who are poor, isolated, forgotten, ignored, Rigakahi—Kiyayewa—Tacewa—Sanarwa and often without hope. Just to know that RENCH someone cares about them can not only F : Ver de Guinee ease their physical pain but also remove an Prévenir—Eviter—Filtrer—Rapporter element of alienation and anger that can 9 HEALTH

Parents and adolescents, as well as Children’s Mental Health teachers, officers in the criminal justice system, doctors in the primary care health system, and mental health providers are Needs Take Center Stage being consulted in this collective public health effort to improve early intervention ormer First Lady has indicators or signs in children who need in the development of children’s mental Fcalled on parents, teachers, and health evaluation and support.” and emotional problems. Studies show care providers to address the “national crisis” in children’s mental health. “Parents, other family members, and teachers often miss the warning signs of mental illness, and doctors fail to adequately diagnose mental illness in children,” said Mrs. Carter. “Concern about this has heightened with the anxiety Annemarie Poyo Photo by teachers and parents are seeing since the Sept. 11 attack, but youth always have suffered due to a failure to diagnose these illnesses.” The 17th Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy in November convened some 200 mental health experts to assess ways the nation’s health care system can better diagnose and treat children’s mental illnesses. Their ideas will contribute to the work of a federal task force charged with identifying the key indicators of mental illness in children Brandon Fletcher speaks about his experiences with mental illness to conference participants. and adolescents.

Youth always have suffered due to a

failure to diagnose Annemarie Poyo Photo by these illnesses.

“Leaders at the symposium agreed the situation has not improved since the September 2000 Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health called the burden of suffering experienced by children with mental health needs and their families a ‘national crisis,’” said Greg Fricchione, M.D., director of The Carter Center Mental Health Program. “Our group agreed on a clear need to address Youth participants at the Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy share the crippling fragmentation of services their stories with the former first lady and national radio talk show host Dr. Drew that exists and to create a list of practical, Pinsky. Dr. Drew moderated a panel of four youth who spoke out about their struggles easily understood physical and behavioral with mental illness and the health care system.

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one in 10 children and adolescents has said, “Before I was properly diagnosed, I some significant degree of mental health had been on 20 different medications and Studies show one impairment, but only one in five receives had seen at least 10 doctors. I also had in 10 children and specialty mental health services in any tried to kill myself. I can only hope that given year. in the future, warning signs of mental adolescents has some Symposium participant Brandon illness in kids will be readily detected degree of mental Fletcher, a 15-year-old diagnosed with so that others and their families will health impairment. bipolar and anxiety disorder at age 12, not suffer needlessly.”

Mental Health Journalism Fellows Selected

he Mental Health Program announced its 2001–2002 class of fellows, including for the first time, two international journalists. TThe program awards fellowships each year to journalists to write or produce works on mental health issues. Investigations by fellows are helping to reduce stigma against people with mental illness and to highlight pressing public issues.

Sandra Ackerman, Angela Mitchell, William Skane, freelancer, Durham, freelancer, Chicago, Ill. producer, CBS, N.C. Book on Book on children’s Washington, development of mental illness. D.C. Report on the brain in latter depression and years of life. young people.

John Francis, Lawrence Hott, publisher, TEAR- Florentine Films/ AWAY Magazine: Hott Productions, The Voice of NZ Haydenville, Mass. Youth, New Documentary telling Zealand. A 12-part the story of two series: youth and brothers, one of whom mental health has suffered from issues. mental illness for 40 years and the other, Jodie Snyder and Susie Steckner, his primary caretaker. reporters, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Ariz. Special series on schools and workplaces accommodating those Mike Gourley, Tanya Ott, producer, with mental illness. freelancer, New WUFT/WJUF-FM, Zealand. Radio Gainesville, Fla. Two documentaries radio documentaries exploring media exploring the state of portrayal of mental mental health care in illness and public juvenile justice and perception, includ- foster care systems. ing how journalists can reduce stigma and discrimination.

11 NEWS BRIEFS

Christmas Book Annual Auction to Underscores Never- Benefit Center changing Truths ormer President Carter and Mrs. hristmas in Plains, former President Carter will host their 10th annual Jimmy Carter’s 16th book, follows Fauction and ski trip Feb. 6–10, 2002, CAn Hour Before Daylight, in which at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in he described growing up on a farm during Crested Butte, Colo. The excursion the Depression. In this newest work, the provides an opportunity for the Carters to President focuses on his childhood, college spend time with Carter Center supporters years, time in the Navy, as well as with 10 Atlanta high school holidays, and recent Christmas celebra- students chosen each year for the trip, all tions. The best Christmas of all? It’s in of whom are members of FutureForce, a the last chapter and not to be missed. leadership program for at-risk teens. More than 1,800 book lovers and 4,000 copies of this book and others he A highlight of each trip is a live admiring fans lined up on Dec. 12 at the has written. His daughter, , auction, to be held this year on Saturday, Jimmy Carter Library and Museum to illustrated Christmas in Plains. Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. MST. Items for 2002, have former President Carter sign some among many others, include a piece of woodwork crafted by President Carter; a rare photograph, autographed by the Carters, of President and Mrs. Carter with Elvis Presley; several resort packages; a 2002 Saab automobile; and a guitar signed by Crosby Stills Nash and Young. The auction is open nationwide, and items can be viewed and bids can be placed at www.cartercenter.org. “Rosalynn and I always look forward to bringing together many of our Carter Center supporters to discuss how we can make a difference around the world,” said President Carter. “Each year we contribute personal items to the auction and greatly appreciate all bids received. Such generous support makes possible the work of improv- ing the lives of those less privileged.”

Historic Documents September 27, 2002–January 5, • Thomas Edison’s patent application for 2003, the Museum will display American the electric light bulb (1880) Celebrate Freedom Originals, a collection of documents • German Instruments of Surrender for normally housed in the National World War II (1945) rare opportunity to see some of Archives. American Originals includes the • President Carter’s handwritten draft of America’s greatest documentary Emancipation Proclamation (1863), which the Sinai Agreement (1978) Atreasures is coming up at The has not appeared in the southeastern Jimmy Carter Museum. United States since 1949, as well as: A number of other items, including several April 27–July 5, 2002, the Museum not displayed publicly before, also will be will serve as host to Freedom’s Journey, • The Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803) on view. an exciting exhibit that will include • Susan B. Anthony’s arrest warrant for Norman Lear’s copy of the Declaration voting illegally (1873) of Independence. 12