25 Years of the Carter Center: CARTER Changing Agenda, Enduring Principles B B U G

THE 25 Years of The Carter Center: CARTER Changing Agenda, Enduring Principles b b u G

e s i u o CENTER L NEWS

FALL 2007 IN THIS ISSUE UP FRONT 25 Years of The Carter Center ...... 1 Small Measures Create Change ...... 2 PEACE Rural Justice in Liberia ...... 3 Human Rights Defenders ...... 4 Profile: Karin Ryan ...... 5 President Carter listens as the village elder who guards the dam in Savelugu, Ghana, East Timor Elections ...... 6 explains how he keeps the water source safe from Guinea worm through close monitoring. Campaign Finance in Latin America . . 6 The Carter Center promotes active participation by community members in its work. Ecuador Elections ...... 6 The year 2007 marks the Carter Center’s 25th HEALTH trol, global health, and the environment, anniversary. In the following article, former with a special emphasis on Latin America. Group Brings Hope to Nigerians . . . . . 7 U.S. President Jimmy Carter reflects on the As programs expanded, so did our Uganda Attempts River Center’s evolution and his hopes for waging Blindness Elimination ...... 8 physical space—the current campus of the peace, fighting disease, and building hope into Carter Presidential Center opened in 1986, Borlaug Receives Congressional the future. Medal ...... 9 encompassing the Presidential Library and By Jimmy Carter Romanian Mental Health Fellows . . . 10 Museum and The Carter Center. As the Center took on new projects, a PHILANTHROPY y original concept for The Carter Center was a place for mediation, set of principles emerged: We would not Skoll Foundation ...... 11 a place where leaders of countries duplicate the effective efforts of other NEWS BRIEFS Mor regions in conflict could come to resolve organizations, we would be nonpartisan, we “Conversations” Webcast Live ...... 12 their differences. Looking at the work of would not let the possibility of failure deter Carter Subject of New Film ...... 12 the Center today, with programs that have us from making our best effort. Another touched lives in more than 70 countries unique characteristic of the Center was our promoting peace and good health, it is safe desire to be an action agency, not just a to say that the Center has far exceeded think tank. Since the basic character and Rosalynn’s and my initial dreams. purpose of the Center were unprecedented, we had to prove the worth of our efforts Beginnings step by step, expanding our financial The Center was established in 1982 soon resources as we demonstrated tangible after I accepted an offer from Emory results. University to be a distinguished professor. Today My assistants and I found ourselves working out of the top floor of the Emory Although our past work has been quite var- One Copenhill ied, today the Center’s projects tend to fall 453 Freedom Parkway University library on projects and quickly into two buckets: peace and health. Our Atlanta, GA 30307 broadening our work to include compelling (404) 420-5100 issues in human rights, nuclear arms con- continues on page 12 www.cartercenter.org UP FRONT

From Dr. John Hardman, President and CEO Small Measures Create Waves of Change b u a sanitation provided by latrines t

f conflict, ill health, and poverty S

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always seem to walk hand in hand, benefits the entire community m so do peace, health, and economic as the prevalence of diarrheal E Iopportunity. An improvement in one disease and intestinal worms aspect of a community’s well-being can diminishes—leaving people yield unforeseen dividends in other areas. healthier overall. At The Carter Center, we take on In Ethiopia and Sudan, projects to improve a specific facet of life our trachoma control efforts —monitoring elections to ensure citizens are combined with distribution have a say in how they are governed or of the antibiotic azithromycin. fighting a devastating disease. Happily, Although our primary goal we find that the results of our work often is to treat active cases of the expand beyond the initial project scope to disease, we are seeing deaths help improve the overall quality of life in from other bacterial infections a community, a ripple effect in which one dwindle as the drug fights positive change leads to others. upper respiratory, skin, and For instance, our trachoma program sexually transmitted infections promotes latrine construction in seven as well. African countries to control fly populations Similarly, election that spread the damaging bacterial eye observation can bring results disease. Beyond controlling trachoma, beyond one free and fair vote. h g

i A girl stands in the doorway of her e l a family’s latrine in Motto, Ethiopia. R

a Latrines help control trachoma but also k e b

e improve overall community health. R

The Carter Center observed Jamaica’s elections in 1997 and 2002 to help deter violence and raise confidence in the electoral process. As the country’s democracy strengthened, we began closely working with Jamaican officials to promote government transparency, specifically the right of citizens to request information and documents from their government. Jamaica passed access to information legislation in 2002, giving more power to citizens to hold government accountable and creating a foundation for even greater good. It inspires me to see how many of our projects have gone beyond our initial goals to truly improve the quality of lives of Dr. John Hardman (right), Carter Center president and chief executive officer, and two those we assist. Small ripples can become members of the Center’s election observation team discuss an issue at a polling station in Jamaica in 2002. The Center’s involvement in two Jamaican elections led to its work big waves—spreading peace, health, and to help the country develop legislation giving citizens access to government documents. hope around the world.

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what is being said, they are desperate to Project Strengthens Judicial System know as much as possible, and they ask question after question.” The Center awards small grants to its Across Rural, War-Torn Liberia organizational partners. These funds are ourteen years of civil war left Liberia’s Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution vital to their work and empower people in infrastructure, including its justice Program. “But what does this mean for tra- a place with so few resources. system, in shambles. As the country ditional people? Most Liberians live in Thomas Flah Cooper works as a moni- Fslowly rebuilds following four years of peace rural areas and have not heard of these new tor for one of the Center’s partners in River and a new government, the justice system steps. They don’t always trust that the jus- Gee County, one of the most underdevel- is starting essentially from scratch. There tice system has their best interests in oped counties in Liberia. Cooper monitors are few means to communicate or enforce mind.” the courts and prisons, visits outlying vil- new legislation beyond the capital city of The Carter Center aims to n i t s

Monrovia. increase public confidence in a func- u A

y e

A new project by The Carter Center is tional rural judicial sector that r f f e helping the Liberia Ministry of Justice serves local needs; increase people’s J improve rule of law, especially in over- knowledge of their rights and looked rural areas. The Center has been responsibilities through public edu- closely involved with Liberia since 1991, cation and awareness, including when all sides of the country’s civil war women’s rights and basic human n i

t rights; and develop awareness of the s u A local judicial mechanisms and con- y e r f f ditions, including statutory, tradi- e J tional, and informal processes. The Center is working with community-based organizations to The magisterial court clerk in the River Gbeh educate rural citizens about the for- district stands outside the court. River Gbeh mal justice system, new laws, and is a district in one of the most remote counties in Liberia. ways to increase access to justice. The groups conduct civic education activities including dramas and town hall meetings; they answer questions and lages, mediates petty disputes, encourages talk at length with village members. people to handle rape cases criminally, and At one such event performed in the draws attention to violations. He has no town of Cavalla, near the Cote d’Ivoire office, but he does commute to towns border, actors performed a series of dramas throughout his county on a cheap motorcy- about a woman’s right to inheritance and cle. Much of the county has no phone serv- anti-rape laws. Most villages have no tele- ice, so Cooper communicates with his vision sets, few books, and only sporadic regional headquarters by sending handwrit- Raymond Chie conducts a town hall ten notes with travelers moving up and meeting for residents of Big Suehn in radio coverage, so seeing people act out a Grand Kru County, sometimes called story is very entertaining. People howled down the dirt highway. “walking county” because it has so few with laughter. After each drama, the actors “I have seen him lead town hall meet- roads. Chie works for the Catholic Justice took questions and discussed with atten- ings, and he is excellent at engaging peo- and Peace Commission, one of the Carter dees what the law said about particular ple,” said Austin. “He asks questions and Center’s partners in Liberia. matters. seeks responses and has a genuine discus- “Women were particularly excited,” sion with people. Despite the hardships of invited the Center to assist in the peace said Jeffrey Austin, Carter Center consult- living in such a remote and underdevel- process. The Carter Center also observed ant in Liberia. “Some raised their arms and oped place, Flah works hard and serves a Liberia’s 1997 and 2005 elections. cried with joy when they heard that they vital function.” “In Monrovia, the formal justice sys- had a right to inheritance or that rape In a country with so little develop- tem is training lawyers and police, passing included forced sex even between a hus- ment, change takes time. The Carter new laws, and building jails,” said Tom band and wife. People are so hungry for Center will remain in Liberia at least Crick, senior political analyst for the information. Even if they disapprove of through May 2008. 3 PEACE

Representative leaders of faith communities attended the forum, including Human Rights Defenders Jimmy Allen, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention; Ingrid Find Allies in Faith Groups Mattson, the first female president of the Islamic Society of North America; and arassed, labeled as traitors, and and Freedom: Protecting Human Rights as Dr. Marc Ellis, author and professor of sometimes jailed for their work, Common Cause,” attendees discussed chal- Jewish studies at Baylor University. Faith human rights defenders come from lenges they face in addressing mass atroci- leaders heard the concerns of defenders Hbackgrounds as diverse as the issues they ties and developed recommendations, and pledged to work within their own advocate in their home countries. Many which they addressed with representatives constituencies to promote human rights. work from an equally diverse platform, one of governments and multilateral institu- Several defenders at the forum also of personal faith. Defenders from 20 coun- tions. The event was co-chaired by former came from a platform of faith. They tries convened at The Carter Center in U.S. President Jimmy Carter and U.N. emphasized that faith can play a positive September for the fourth annual Human High Commissioner for Human Rights role in the promotion of human rights, Rights Defenders Policy Forum, co-spon- Louise Arbour. despite the common media portrayal of sored by Human Rights First. “Economic justice, the alleviation of religious extremism. “I was brought up as a Muslim and

d brought up to believe that God is just and n a l g

n Islam is just,” said Zainah Anwar, executive E

. S

director of Sisters in Islam, a Malaysian s a

m nongovernmental organization. “Rejecting o h T our religion in order to become a feminist is just not a choice—we want to be femi- nists, and we want to be Muslim as well. We want to locate our search for justice, for liberation within our tradition, within our belief.” President Carter warned against the expansion of religious fundamentalism in his closing remarks. “When several leaders profess to speak for God and believe they are absolutely right, and others are inferior, that is a root cause of human rights violations,” he said. “We must reach out to bring in as our Karen Tse, an international human rights attorney and Unitarian Universalist minister, new ally those religious groups that agree discusses her experiences at the Human Rights Defenders Policy Forum as Imam Talib with us.” ‘Abdur-Rashid of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem, New York, listens. In the concluding session of the forum, defenders presented their recom- Their untold stories are often dramatic poverty, and prevention of human rights mendations for addressing mass atrocities. —a Muslim woman advocating for atrocities such as in Darfur are central These included monitoring media output women’s rights within the framework of tenets to both faith communities and the for incitement and hate speech, promoting Islam, a Catholic priest with leukemia work of human rights defenders,” said an independent and free press, and training fighting for the civil rights of Haitians from Karin Ryan, director of the Carter Center’s journalists in human rights and defenders exile in south Florida, or an Israeli labeled Human Rights Program. “There are more in media skills. as an “Arab-lover” for documenting human opportunities for collaboration and synergy On the Web at www.cartercenter.org: Read rights violations against Palestinians. between the groups beyond Darfur. Human the final statement from the forum identifying For the first time, this year’s forum par- rights defenders play a vital role by alerting challenges and recommendations and read the ticipants considered the role faith commu- the world to escalating crises, preventing personal stories of human rights defenders. nities could play in working with human crimes against humanity and genocide. We rights defenders. Under the theme “Faith should listen to their views and concerns.”

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Profile: Karin Ryan how it should be about lending the moral power of our nation to help other countries. That just lit a fire in me.” Ryan brought her energy to the Director Assists Activists Center just as it launched new human rights initiatives. “It was such a good fit for Fighting for Human Rights me,” she said. “It’s about shifting power to

d individuals, so that n a

fter Iraq’s 2006 elections, the the world”—and who l g any person can have n E

United States and other Western believed in her own ability .

S a platform to speak

governments celebrated that to do so. She was then a a

m up about the rights o

country’s move toward democracy. But as volunteer English teacher h

A T of others. That idea Karin Ryan knows from her 20 years with in Zaire through a Baha’i just screamed out to The Carter Center, an election is only a service program. It proved me as a way to fix small step on the long road toward a true a chastening experience. what’s wrong with democratic government. “I wasn’t educated,” Ryan the world.” “The big question is ‘what happens said, “and I soon realized Ryan’s position after the election?’” said Ryan, who directs that without a degree, I as a volunteer office the Center’s Human Rights Program. couldn’t be very effective.” assistant soon turned “Elections alone do not constitute a But she never lost her into a full-time job: democracy. A country needs laws and faith in the power of the “We first helped institutions that protect human, social, individual. In 1987, while identify individuals and economic rights. It especially needs studying for a degree in who were wrongly to protect the rights of the individuals political science at Emory imprisoned around who speak out on these issues.” University, she volun- Karin Ryan, director of the the world. President Such people are called human rights teered again—at The Human Rights Program Carter worked on defenders, and Ryan organizes the Center’s Carter Center. their cases to free annual conferences to support them. Ryan’s “I visited the museum here,” Ryan them.” In time, this led to the Center’s position is ideal for someone who knew said. “The exhibits emphasized President efforts to help countries transitioning to even at age 18 that she wanted “to change Carter’s vision of American leadership— democratic rule, as well as the human rights defenders. s e k

a “They are the truth-tellers about what H

a is wrong in a society, and so they are often r o b

e persecuted,” said Ryan. “Protecting them D and assuring that their words get out is one of our jobs.” The Center assists in this work through conferences, by supporting the U.N. human rights programs, and intro- ducing defenders to U.S. policy-makers. With the new level of concern about terrorism, the need “to stand shoulder to shoulder with the individual activist” has grown substantially. “It’s easier for countries to label activists as terrorists to get them out of the way,” Ryan explained, noting that human rights are even in danger in the United States. “We have a strong judiciary, so our courts are pushing back. But what happens in a young democracy, such as Kenya or Iraq? Someone needs Karin Ryan (left) listens to a voter explain the trouble she’s had with her registration to protect the Martin Luther King Jrs. of card during the 2006 elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. these societies.”

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drafting process, and East Timor’s first presidential election in 2002. The Center Center Observes Historic also worked to strengthen civil society through a small grants program and imple- Elections in East Timor mented a four-month project to strengthen communities and the rule of law. r e

Carter Center delegation com- positive change for the Timorese.” m t r E

mended East Timor for its orderly The 15-member Carter Center a r u a

and peaceful parliamentary election delegation found that polling stations L Aon June 30, the first to be administered were well organized and electoral solely by Timorese officials. Previous workers carried out their responsibili- elections had been overseen by the United ties competently and professionally. Nations as East Timor transitioned to Observers reported only isolated independence from Indonesia in 2002. irregularities during the conduct of The island nation of 800,000 residents the poll that were unlikely to affect is still recovering from a troubled history. the overall success of the vote. In 1999, the Indonesian military razed the The Carter Center began its capital Dili in response to a Timorese vote involvement in East Timor in June for independence. More conflict came in 1999, when former U.S. President May 2006 when civil–military conflicts Jimmy Carter, while leading an erupted in violence and displaced international observer mission for hundreds of thousands of families. Indonesia’s parliamentary elections, “The country bears scars from its met with detained East Timorese past—refugee camps, burned buildings, leader Xanana Gusmao in Jakarta. and unemployed youth,” said Samantha The Carter Center then observed An East Timor election worker shows a voter Aucock, director of the Carter Center the 1999 public consultation for a copy of the ballot. The 2007 elections were field office in East Timor. “But these independence, the 2001 constituent the first overseen by the newly established elections were a source of hope and assembly elections, the constitution East Timor government.

Ecuadorians Vote for Campaign Finance in LatinAmerica New Representatives Has Severe Faults, Study Reveals he Carter Center observed Tconstituent assembly elections olitical party and campaign financing democratic governments to do better,” said in Ecuador on Sept. 30 and found is deeply flawed in eight Latin former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. “To the elections to be generally peaceful. American countries, according to a achieve equitable participation for voters, Observers recognized poll workers Precent study by The Carter Center and we must prevent wealthy candidates and for their close attention to the law, Transparency International. parties from deriving undue advantage from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal for The problems include a lack of over- their superior resources and assure that organizing elections, and the group sight for private donations, scarce account- donors do not unduly influence the deci- Participación Ciudadana for conduct- ability by candidates, and unreliable data sions of elected officials whose campaigns ing a transparent quick count. delivered by parties. In addition, informa- they helped fund. Political financing regu- Carter Center observers did note tion about political financing is not made lation is essential to a healthy democracy.” some problems, including confusion public in most of the countries studied, In most countries studied, reports pre- at some polling sites, campaigning on which included Argentina, Colombia, sented by political parties to the electoral election day, and isolated violence. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, control agencies cover only public funds, The targeted mission focused on Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. leaving private contributions unreported. political climate, compliance with cam- The study was presented in May 2007 The Carter Center and Transparency paign rules, and election administra- during an Organization of American States International hope the study results will be tion. More details about the elections meeting in Panama. used to open public discussion about cam- can be found at www.cartercenter.org. “Our goal is not to criticize but to help paign finance reform in Latin America. 6 HEALTH

Group Brings Hope toNigerians Facts About Lymphatic Filariasis

Disfigured by Swollen Limbs • Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating parasitic infection caused by thin wathed in a loose-fitting tunic con- such as proper leg washing. The disease worms that are transmitted by the servatively hiding his deformed right can be prevented and managed through bites of mosquitoes in tropical and leg, 38-year-old Hamisu Isa pulls up health education and annual single-dose subtropical regions of the world. Sa white plastic chair to join a group of his combinations of oral medicines—alben- • The World Health Organization fellow Nigerians under two mango trees in dazole donated by GlaxoSmithKline and ranks lymphatic filariasis as a leading the city of Jos. Mectizan® donated by Merck & Co., Inc. cause of permanent and long-term “There is no cure, but there is hope,” During the first few meetings of the disability worldwide. Carter Center lymphatic filariasis expert Carter Center-assisted support group, Isa John Umaru told the group. “If you keep sat quietly on his chair and listened to • There are approximately 1.1 billion your leg clean and treat cuts for infection, other members describe their symptoms, people in 80 countries at risk for the swelling will not increase and may challenges, successes, and hopes. For years, contracting this disease and 120 even decrease.” he had suffered in silence from the disease’s million people infected worldwide. Isa is a member of a support group in severest form, elephantiasis. • Nigeria is the third-most lymphatic which people suffering from the disease The disease ripples beyond the filariasis endemic country in the lymphatic filariasis come together to discuss individual, forcing victims to rely on the world and the most endemic in the physical challenges and social stigma support of loved ones as effects often make Africa; an estimated 25 million of the disfiguring condition that causes it difficult and sometimes impossible for people suffer from this disease. grotesque swelling of legs and genitals. them to farm and carry out other basic • Working in partnership with the Caused by the bite of a mosquito, the daily tasks of living. government of Nigeria, The Carter parasitic disease not only disfigures the After he had been in the group Center assists in the elimination of body but also causes incapacitating fevers. for awhile, Isa began to share his own lymphatic filariasis in Plateau and The support group that Umaru leads experiences with his peers. He said that Nasarawa states in Nigeria. is among the first of its kind. Here, partic- people—including his own family—would ipants learn about transmission and pre- shun him because the infection in his leg vention of lymphatic filariasis and discuss created a bad odor. By taking proper care and the swelling decreased. As his health techniques for preventing skin infections, of his leg, he was able to stop the sores, improved, he found a job selling second-

b hand clothing at the market. In the past, u a t S the disease-related fevers kept him from y l i m

E holding a job or completing seemingly simple tasks. “Hamisu’s story shows other people that someday they can be better, too,” said Umaru. Today, Isa’s life has turned around. His skin looks clean, and, because he is feeling better, Isa recently earned a teaching certificate and is teaching mathematics and English at a local elementary school a few times a week and working in the market part time. And now Isa can serve as an inspira- tion to new members of the support group. He may even recognize shades of his former self in people such as Helen, a distraught 20-year-old with severe elephantiasis who Hamisu Isa stands in front of his kiosk at a secondhand clothing market in Jos, avoids eye contact and does not speak Nigeria, his long robe hiding a leg that is misshapen due to lymphatic filariasis. above a whisper. 7 HEALTH

Elimination Campaign Uganda Attempts Nationwide Makes Progress inAmericas Elimination of River Blindness arlier this year, Santa Rosa, EGuatemala, became the first of 13 iver blindness is such a pervasive success in previous decades in eliminating river blindness-affected areas in Latin disease in Africa that many global it in three areas affecting more than 3 America to be considered free of river experts believe it can only be million people by vector control—that blindness. As a result, officials halted Rcontrolled not eliminated. But Uganda has is, killing the flies that carry the disease. Mectizan treatments in the area. This announced plans to rid the disease, despite The plan announced this year calls for marks a milestone in the campaign hefty challenges. The country’s Ministry of conquering the disease in isolated areas to eliminate the disease from the Health officials believe that eliminating where the flies that spread the disease Americas. A surveillance program the disease will be more cost-effective than can be controlled. of two to three years in Santa Rosa continuing control efforts indefinitely for One factor that makes Uganda a good is now underway to ensure that the its estimated 2 million citizens at risk. place to try elimination is the nature infection does not return. In early 2007, high-ranking Ugandan of river blindness vectors there. The black Two more areas—Escuintla in government officials announced the coun- fly responsible for about 70 percent of Guatemala and Lopes de Micay in try’s strategy for eliminating the health river blindness transmission in the country Colombia—are expected to follow Simulium neavei threat. The Carter Center has assisted the (called ) has a very short Santa Rosa soon into the post- Uganda River Blindness Program since flight range, which means that these flies treatment surveillance period. 1996 and supports the new initiative. are unlikely to spread the disease to neigh- The Carter Center is the The confidence to eliminate river boring areas because they cannot travel sponsoring organization of the blindness in Uganda is strengthened by far. In other parts of Africa, the fly that Onchocerciasis Elimination Program transmits the disease (Simulium damnosum of the Americas, which oversees efforts spp) has a flight range of more than to eradicate the disease in the Western Cameroon Program 100 kilometers, making a vector control Hemisphere, where six countries are Integrates Vitamin A program more difficult to execute. affected: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Efforts to control the fly population Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela. hildren under 5 years old are a

too young to receive the drug w r a

C b a

Mectizan, which treats river blindness, t a K

but in Cameroon, these children now s e s o

receive a different health boost at M the same time their parents are being treated with Mectizan—vitamin A. Vitamin A boosts overall immunity to other diseases, so children are less susceptible to infections such as measles, malaria, and diarrheal diseases. It also reduces the risk of childhood blindness. In Cameroon, vitamin A capsules were administered during national immunization days for polio. Now that polio vaccinations are draw- ing to a close as polio eradication approaches, Cameroon’s river blindness program offers an alternative channel for delivering the nutrient. To date, 230,049 children between the ages of 1 and 5 years have received the supplement. Community health workers distribute Mectizan in Uganda. 8 HEALTH a w

r will work hand in hand with mass treat- a b a t ment of the population with the oral drug a K

® s Mectizan , donated by Merck & Co., Inc., e s o

M which is given to treat and prevent the disease. In the six areas currently targeted by Uganda for elimination, the program has intensified Mectizan treatments by moving from annual treatments to treatments every six months, an approach that has proven effective in Latin America for stopping transmission of the disease. Although rarely fatal, river blindness’s advanced symptoms, including intense itching, skin rashes, and diminished vision, strip people of their livelihoods. Young people who do not yet have severe symptoms are forced to leave school and take jobs to care for ailing family members. In Uganda, people who suffer from severe rashes and vision loss are sometimes psy- chologically traumatized or disrespected in the community. Ugandan community members gather for health education about river blindness.

to bring the Green Revolution to Africa. He also serves as a distinguished professor Agricultural Pioneer Borlaug of international agriculture at Texas A&M University, where he gives guest lectures. Receives Congressional Medal The Congressional Gold Medal was first awarded to George Washington in orman Borlaug, Nobel peace whose work increases the quality, quantity, 1776. Other past winners include Thomas laureate and senior consultant of or availability of food in the world. A. Edison, Bob Hope, Pope John Paul II, the Carter Center’s Agriculture During the ceremony, Dr. Borlaug, 93, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Program, was awarded the Congressional said that hunger remains a l

N l e

Gold Medal in Washington, D.C., in July problem with the rapid rise w s w o

for his work on high-yield, disease-resistant in the world’s population. D

s i r varieties of wheat credited with starting the “We need better and more h C “Green Revolution” and alleviating starva- technology, for hunger and tion in India and Pakistan in the 1960s. poverty and misery are very The medal, the highest civilian honor fertile soils into which to plant that Congress awards, was presented by all kinds of ‘isms,’ including President George W. Bush. terrorism,” he said. “Norman Borlaug has dedicated his Dr. Borlaug, an Iowa life to health and peace for untold millions native, was educated in a around the world,” said former U.S. one-room schoolhouse and President Jimmy Carter. “We congratulate went on to attend the him on this significant, and fitting, award.” University of Minnesota. Dr. Borlaug, whose work is credited He continues to work for with saving up to a billion lives, was the International Maize and awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1970. Wheat Improvement Center In 1986 Borlaug founded the World Food in Mexico and the Agriculture Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel laureate and senior Prize, an annual $250,000 award to people Program of The Carter Center consultant for the Carter Center Agriculture Program

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he two Romanian journalists Journalism Fellowships will join eight other 2007–2008 TRosalynn Carter Fellows, including six from the United States and two from Expand to Romania South Africa. lex Ulmanu sometimes wonders if Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Ilse Pauw, Senior Writer/Editor things could have been different. Health Journalism, which seek to reduce Health24.com, Cape Town, A“I had a colleague in university who the stigma of mental illnesses by promoting South Africa was a brilliant, brilliant person and who a global dialogue on mental health through Topic: Features about individuals committed suicide in her very early 20s. a core of journalists who strive to increase living with a mental illness We learned afterward that she was accurate reporting of mental health issues Andrea Petersen, News Editor suffering from schizophrenia,” Ulmanu said. and decrease incorrect, stereotypical infor- The Wall Street Journal Now as an assistant professor in the mation. The program has trained journalists Brooklyn, N.Y. School of Journalism and Mass Commu- in the United States, New Zealand, and Topic: Anxiety disorders nication at the University of Bucharest, southern African countries. Now in its Molly Knight Raskin, Freelance Ulmanu has considered how access to 11th year, it is expanding to Romania Journalist, Washington, D.C.

s Topic: Borderline personality disorder

e through a partnership with k a

H Kevin Roy

the Center for Independent , News Anchor/Reporter h a r

o Journalism. Romania is a WLS-TV, ABC7 Chicago, Chicago, Ill. b e

D country still undergoing Topic: Suicide prevention political and economic Marc Shaffer, Documentary reforms nearly 20 years Filmmaker, Oakland, Calif. after communist control. Topic: Criminalization of people The fall of communism with mental illnesses in 1989 led to a boom in Chandra Thomas, Staff Writer private media companies in Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta, Ga. Romania. Today, there are Topic: Stigma surrounding mental an estimated 600 newspapers illnesses in the African American distributed throughout the community Ioana Avadani (left), Romania’s international adviser Gregory Warner to the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health country. In such a competitive , Freelance Journalist Journalism, and Alexandru Ulmanu, one of two market, journalists often do New York, N.Y. incoming Romania fellows, discuss how training not have the time or the edi- Topic: Trauma treatment in the workshops will better prepare journalists to report torial support to thoroughly United States and abroad on mental health issues facing their country. research and report on their Pieter van Zyl, Senior Writer accurate information on mental health topics and their resulting stories often lack Media 24, Cape Town, South Africa in his homeland of Romania could have important information or, in the worst Topic: Influence of crime on South prevented his friend from succumbing to cases, are inaccurate. Africa’s children, therapists, single her illness. Because Romania faces this unique parents, and others “If she got proper treatment…or challenge, Ulmanu and his colleague Paul maybe if professionals had more access to Radu, co-founder of the Romanian Center fellowships to research and write on a information…or if things were perceived for Investigative Journalism, under the mental health topic of their choice. differently by the public…” leadership of their advisers, will develop Accurate reporting on mental health Ulmanu and two of his colleagues intensive workshops to train journalists on issues has the potential to positively impact from Romania visited The Carter Center how to accurately report on mental health many Romanians silently suffering from in September for a three-day meeting with by exploring the latest scientific research mental illness. mental health professionals, media experts, and ethical concerns, among many other “We are teaching people to really do and fellow journalists to discuss how media issues. These workshops will be offered to journalism, not simply record what happens can reduce stigma and discrimination both journalists and professors of journalism around them without asking the right ques- against people with mental illnesses through working in select cities in an effort to tions. I think the percentage of people who informed newspaper articles, television and improve the quality of reported informa- would find mental health stories relevant for radio broadcasts, and documentaries. tion. In fall 2008, the program will award their own lives is really much higher than The meeting is part of the Center’s two new Romanian journalists with many in Romania think,” said Ulmanu. 10 PHILANTHROPY

In addition to providing funding for the event, the foundation sent a writer Skoll Foundation Supports from its networking Web site Social Edge, www.socialedge.org, to write a daily blog Diverse Projects in Peace,Health (Web diary) covering the forum. The blog was simultaneously posted to the Carter he Skoll Foundation takes an Foundation allowed the Center to carry out Center Web site. A Social Edge video crew entrepreneurial approach to philan- the Human Rights Defenders Policy Forum also recorded the forum, and video from thropy—empowering people and and the Ethiopia Public Health Training the event will be posted to Social Edge’s Tprograms that are making a positive impact Initiative replication conference. channel on the YouTube Web site in their communities and providing the Human Rights (www.youtube.com/socialedge). support necessary to extend and expand their good work. With the Carter Center’s Defenders EPHTI Replication emphasis on local ownership of our health The foundation was actively involved in Conference and peace work, the two organizations the Center’s Human Rights Defenders The Skoll Foundation also funded a share a vision of improving the well-being Policy Forum held in Atlanta in replication conference held in February of the global community. September. The event brought activists 2007 by the Ethiopia Public Health In August 2006, the Skoll Foundation from 20 countries to discuss their work to Training Initiative (EPHTI). This Carter Center program works with seven u m i

d Ethiopian universities and the ministries n o

W of health and education to contribute to

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a improving the health of Ethiopians by H enhancing the quality of training health staff receive. There is a severe shortage of medical personnel across Ethiopia. But The Carter Center is working with its Ethiopian partners to prepare health care workers to serve 90 percent of the Ethiopian population in more than 600 rural health centers. The conference that EPHTI hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, convened ministers of health and education of 10 African nations to highlight the successes and challenges of EPHTI and its potential to be replicated throughout Africa in an effort to strengthen health care delivery on the continent. d

Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, the Uganda minister of education, n a l g

inspects laboratory equipment donated to Ethiopia’s Defense College by n E

. S

the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative. Bitamazire attended a s a

conference to find out more about how Ethiopia is strengthening its m o h

public health system through the initiative. T

announced an award of $3 million over fight human rights viola- three years to The Carter Center. The tions. This year, faith group grant was divided evenly between the leaders from around the Center’s peace and health programs. world were also invited Founded in 1999 by Jeff Skoll, the first to the forum to see how president of online auction giant eBay, the religious groups can aid Skoll Foundation provided nearly $30 mil- the struggle for human lion in grants in fiscal year 2006 and ranks rights (read more about President Carter talks with Ruth Norris, senior program in the top tier of foundations nationally. the forum on p. 4). officer for the Skoll Foundation, during the Human In the last year, funding from the Skoll Rights Defenders Policy Forum. 11 THE CARTER CENTER

THE CARTER CENTER

NEWSTHE BRIEFS CARTER CENTER ‘Conversations’ Carter Subject Webcast Live of New Film onversations at The Carter Center is “ an From Plains,” a new documen- an annual series of evening programs tary by award-winning filmmaker Cheld at The Carter Center in Atlanta, JonathanM Demme, offers an intimate por- designed to increase public awareness on trait of the public and private sides of issues of national and global importance. President Carter. Filmed during his book People outside Atlanta can be a part of tour in the fall of 2006 for “Palestine Peace the programs by watching them live at Not Apartheid,” the documentary follows www.cartercenter.org. President Carter as he crisscrosses the The programs also are archived for United States to share his thoughts on viewing at a later time. The next program, Middle East peace prospects. The docu- “Heralding Freedom: Perspectives on and former Ambassador Andrew Young. mentary opens in select cities at the end Human Rights” will be Wednesday, All programs start at 7 p.m. ET, and the of October. For more information, visit Dec. 12, featuring President Carter full schedule is available online. www.sonypicturesclassics.com.

continued from cover page In fact, early on, the Center would use In general, the principles of the 25 Years a generic name such as “Global 2000” for Center have been the same ones that some of our projects, so that village chiefs should characterize our nation, or any peace work involves monitoring elections or heads of state could feel a genuine sense individual. They are the beliefs inherent in unstable democracies; strengthening of partnership and be able to claim credit in all the great world religions, including democracy beyond elections through rule when successesTHE were realized. commitments to peace, justice, freedom, of law, transparency, and citizen parti- humility, forgiveness or an attempt to cipation in government; and promoting Future find accommodation with potential foes, human rights. On the health side, weCARTER focus Looking ahead, it is hard CENTER to imagine what generosity, human rights or fair treatment on tackling neglected diseases, mostly in the Center might be like 25 years from of others, protection of the environment, Africa but also in Latin America. These today. The crucial factors that will deter- and the alleviation of suffering. This is are diseases that are no longer found in mine the viability of The Carter Center the agenda the Center will take forward rich countries but still run rampant in the are an innovative spirit, an insistence on with determination and commitment. developing world. Such diseases usually complete independence, and a dedicated do not kill a person but rather make his and competent staff. We must continue to or her life unbearable. probe for every opportunity to fill vacuums One feature of our work of which I of need in the world and have the courage am particularly proud is our desire to see to take a chance on possible failure if the people and countries succeed as active goal is worthy. participants in our projects. We work among people who are living on less than “BEYOND THE WHITE HOUSE: a dollar a day. We recruit those people to Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building work side by side with us in solving their Hope” by Jimmy Carter, just published by own problems. We give them, many of Simon & Schuster, chronicles dramatic, them for the first time, an experience that emotional, and heartwarming moments is successful. We can show them that a in a quarter century of The Carter disease can be prevented or cured, that Center. Recounting progress on all corners of the globe in the fields of they can grow more food in their fields, or peacemaking, health, and human that they can have an honest election and rights, President Carter reminds choose their own leaders. We give people a readers that, with determination chance to shape their own futures, rather and optimism, the world truly than be dependent on others, convinced can be changed for the better. their suffering will never be alleviated.