For more information on The Carter Center, please visit: http://www.cartercenter.org. The Carter Center established the Americas Program in 1986 when the Western Hemisphere was undergoing dramatic political changes, restoring or establishing democracies and opening economies. The mission of the Americas Program is to work toward the collective protection and promotion of meaningful democracy in the Western Hemisphere. The Americas Program strives to enhance the quality of democracy and its ability to improve the lives of individuals in three areas: sustaining democracies and crisis prevention; promoting democracy through effective citizenship; and building regional consensus.

The program works together with the Organizations of Americas States, its associated bodies, the United Nations, and regional civil society networks to accomplish and strengthen its mission. It has created two informal groups. First, the Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers bring former hemispheric leaders to lead its missions in the region. Second, the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter seek to improve democracy and make the charter more effective in the hemisphere.

The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Atlanta-based Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 70 countries.