The Carter Center (audio)

In December 2010, street demonstrations in Tunisia launched the "Arab Awakening," as countries across the Middle East and North Africa began to protest their governments using non-violent means and social media to organize and raise awareness. The Carter Center has followed events closely and plans to monitor upcoming elections in the region, observing history in the making as these countries choose their own leaders after decades of repression.

Watch exclusive video footage from "Dark Forest Black Fly," which documents the elimination of river blindness from Uganda. The Carter Center is a leader in the fight against this debilitating parasitic infection—one of the major causes of preventable blindness in the world. Following the brief video, a panel discusses the challenges of eliminating the disease worldwide and their experiences making the film. Panelists include: Gary Strieker, executive director for Cielo Productions, Inc., and Carter Center staff featured in the film – River Blindness Program Director Dr. Frank Richards, and Carter Center Epidemiologist Dr. Moses Katabarwa.

In a country where 1,000 people die each day from disease, hunger, and violence, The Carter Center works for peace with justice by supporting local human rights groups and social service providers, equipping them with the skills and platform they need to deliver effective services and demand their rights. The Center also provides protection to human rights defenders, who face shrinking political space and increasing intimidation, and promotes transparency and accountability of the nation's copper-mining industry. Panelists include Sophie Borel Ghosn, field office director for The Carter Center in the DRC; Elizabeth Caesens, project manager for The Carter Center's mining transparency project in DRC; and David Pottie, associate director of the Carter Center's Democracy Program and project manager for the Center's observation of the DRC elections. Carter Center Human Rights Program Director Karin Ryan moderates.

According to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, "The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it." In the tenth anniversary year of this important document, a panel discusses the state of democracy in the Americas and the Charter's reach. Panelists include the Right Honourable Joe Clark, former prime minister of Canada; Eduardo Stein, former vice president of Guatemala; and Mariclaire Acosta, former undersecretary of foreign relations for human rights and democracy of Mexico. Carter Center Americas Program Director Jennifer McCoy moderates.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter discuss The Carter Center's peace and health initiatives around the world.

Watch exclusive footage and hear stories from the field from the filmmakers who produced the new documentary "Foul Water, Fiery Serpent," which chronicles the Carter Center's historic campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease. The discussion also includes the latest information and statistics about the eradication effort. Presenters include Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben, Ph.D., director, Carter Center Guinea Worm Eradication Program; Gary Strieker, Ron Borden, and Molly Raskin. John Hardman, M.D., president and CEO of The Carter Center, leads the event.

The Carter Center is at the forefront of a growing international movement to find ways to deliver justice to the poor in places like Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so that all people, not just those who can afford it, can realize their full rights as citizens. Hear about new and innovative practices that are improving access to justice in impoverished and post-conflict countries. Panelists include Tom Crick, associate director of the Carter Center's Conflict Resolution Program, who manages the Center's access to justice projects in Liberia; Pamela Scully, professor of women's studies and African studies at Emory University and chair of the Department of Women's Studies; and Stephen C. Lubkemann, associate professor of anthropology and international affairs, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have posed a unique set of psychological challenges to troops resulting from multiple tours of duty and a greater prevalence of brain injury, among other factors. Experts discuss the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and ways in which families, communities, and the nation can support mental wellness for veterans. The panel includes Kelly Kennedy, reporter for the Times News Service and former Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism; Sonja Batten Ph.D., assistant deputy director, patient care services officer for mental health, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Col. Thomas Carden, commander, 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard. Dr. Thomas Bornemann, director of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, moderates and former First Lady and Carter Center co-founder Rosalynn Carter provides opening remarks.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter discusses current Carter Center peace and health initiatives around the world.

Women's rights and their access to medical care can be severely limited. Yet, without the support of local women, efforts to improve public health often fail. With help from The Carter Center, public health initiatives are helping women to achieve better health for themselves and their families as well as become leaders in their communities. Dr. Paul Emerson, director, Trachoma Control Program; Karin Ryan, director, Human Rights Program; and Elizabeth Cromwell, assistant director, Trachoma Control Program — moderated by National Public Radio's health policy correspondent and Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism Joanne Silberner — discuss the connection between human rights and good health among some of the world's most impoverished and neglected women.

Paul Collier, award-winning author of books such as "The Bottom Billion," and "War, Guns, and Votes," and professor of economics and director of the Center for the Study of African Economies at Oxford University, leads a Conversation that takes a closer look at the impact of elections in Africa and what is needed to make democracy hold in developing countries. Collier is joined on a panel by David Carroll, director of the Carter Center's Democracy Program; Tom Crick, associate director of the Center's Conflict Resolution Program; and Jennifer McCoy, director of the Center's Americas Program. Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs John Stremlau moderates.

More than 130 patients have died under suspicious circumstances in Georgia's public psychiatric hospitals over the past seven years, according to an exposé by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Carter Center has been a leading voice for change in Georgia's mental health system since this crisis came to light, and has worked to identify strategies to transform Georgia's shame into a model for the nation.The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against the state of Georgia, the status of which was discussed during the Feb. 16 Conversations at The Carter Center. Former First Lady and Carter Center Mental Health Program founder Rosalynn Carter provides opening remarks. Carter Center Mental Health Program Director Dr. Thom Bornemann moderates a panel of key stakeholders who discuss the challenges facing the state mental health system and explore potential solutions. Panelists include Charles Willis of the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network; Dr. John Gates, board member, The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, Georgia Southwestern University; and Andrew Penn of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

Normalizing relations with China was one of the most important decisions for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter during his administration 30 years ago. Making the decision was difficult, as is managing this complex and multi-faceted bilateral relationship, which has a significant impact on world peace, stability, and prosperity. This discussion on the history, present, and future of the relationship between these two great nations is moderated by Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs John Stremlau. Panelists include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Madam Li Xiaolin; Emory University distinguished visiting professor of China studies Mary Brown Bullock; and Carter Center China Program Director Yawei Liu.

A panel of distinguished presidential scholars reassesses the relevance for today of key policies and events of the administration of the 39th U.S. President. Speakers include Kevin Mattson, author of "What the Heck Are You Up To Mr. President?" Jimmy Carter, America's 'Malaise,' and the Speech That Should Have Changed the Country (2009), Jimmy Carter Library and Museum Director Jay Hakes, author of "A Declaration of Energy Independence" (2008), and Steven Hochman, Carter Center director of research and faculty assistant to President Carter.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter discuss current peace and health initiatives at The Carter Center and the Oct. 1 reopening of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, also President Carter's 85th birthday. This event was moderated by Carter Center CEO Dr. John Hardman.