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The Carter Center is recognized as a pioneer and leader in the field of election observation. It has monitored 111 elections in 39 countries, helping to ensure democratic elections that reflect the will of the people. When the Center first started observing elections in the late 1980s, the Cold War was ending and a wave of democratization was spreading globally. In the last 10 years, however, the trend toward greater democracy has plateaued, and citizens in many parts of the globe are now confronting challenges from authoritarian governments and narrowing political space. Beyond elections, the Center seeks to deepen democracy by nurturing full citizen participation in public policy-making and by helping to establish government institutions that bolster the rule of law, fair administration of justice, access to information, and government transparency. A culture of respect for human rights is crucial to permanent peace. The Center supports the efforts of human rights activists at t

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