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Sending a strong political signal

Press release

Kofi Annan appointed Chair of The Elders

The Elders in Gaza

Middle East peace

After decades of peace process, there is still no peace.

Find out more about The Elders' work to support civil society working for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East

Press release

The Elders call on Europe to play a stronger role in the Middle East

Love the creator in you and all around you. If that contradicts what you think then change the way you think.
simon blackwood
scotland UK
Let peace live in every home and heart.
Taofeek Ayanwale Adeola
Lagos, Nigeria.
I cannot express it any better than Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: "Peace is not simply the absence of violence; it is the cultivation of understanding, insight and compassion combined with action."
Andrew Smith
England
Sharing will bring justice. Justice will bring peace. Sharing will save Israel and Palestine. Sharing will save the world.
Marco Agelink
The Netherlands
‘Peace is the only battle worth waging.’ - Albert Camus. Protest with a smile at injustice and with calm determination. Ádh mór oraibh!
Robbi
Belfast, Ireland
Welcome! messengers of peace. Your love & concern are empowering our hope and vision for a peaceful future in our region. We all know that it is possible and its the only way! Yours, Miriam Ohevetel
Miriam Ohevetel Iron
Jerusalem
Peace is personal, first of all. When we have peace in our hearts and within our families we can do more to create a peaceful world.
Eve Sullivan
USA
The price we pay for destroying peace is too high we cannot afford it anymore.
Purity Mwangi
Kenya
Please continue and increase your work for the recognition in the United Nations Assembly of Palestine as a non-member state - on the way to full state membership through the Security Council!
ione schuemer-lowrance
spain
Hold peace in your mind, peace in your heart and peace in your actions,we are but a flashbulb in space and time, let your life be remembered for spreading peace and having a wide open heart
Jill Penn
Christchurch NZ
Peace , a simply word with a great meaning! Inside this word we are friendship, collaboration, love, union, the sounds of our hearts...Try to follow this word in every moment of our life!
Nella
Italy
Dear Collegues, I am personally advising the United Nations Security Council to bear with the works which the Elders are doing just for peaceful solution & negotiations with the Palestinians & others
Dr Safdar Khalifa/UN Rtd
Nigeria
Young children should grow in with dreams and hopes, not hate and fear. Your efforts can only create a sense of urgency for this next generation. Bring the mothers together to create a healthy dialog
Fran Ricardo
USA
Last time you came and preached to the choir. We in the peace camp love you all, but you must engage with the opponents of peace on both sides, settlers and jihadists.
Aharon Eviatar
Israel
Thank you for working so hard for real peace in our global village. I hope for a time when more of us recognise our common humanity rather than the things that divide us. Love and light to all.
Chris
Adelaide Australia
I wish for you all the peace that can only be achieved by a powerful, grassroots commitment to love. I pray you take this chance to love and to be loved.
Virginia Masson
USA
We all need global peace now. Global peace can be attained through only mutual love, understanding, inter religious harmony and spirit of co-existence. We all further must have to be united against those elements who are indulged in spreading the politics of hate. We all have to fight against all types of hate, discrimination and injustice in each part of the world in order to make our globe a beautiful place to live. Please come forward to fight for peace and human rights for all. you can join me at www.facebook.com/saeedfalahi
Saeed Khan Falahi
Shahjahanpur, Uttar-Pradesh, India
It is time we put aside our differences and reached out to our brothers and sisters in every Nation across the World and worked together for lasting peace.
david holmes
gloucestershire, england
I support efforts to end the suffering in Israel and Palestine. I hope that you will be listened to.
nemir adjina
cagliari, sardinia.
All my hopes are with the young people of Gaza. That they will find the courage and inspiration to keep believing in their future as the world doesn't make it easy for them.
Wendy Oorthuis
The Netherlands
When we have justice for women in the Middle East, peace will be the collateral benefit.
ErnestO Stolpe
New Mexico
I believe in the power of social and political debate in order to solve conflicts in a peaceful way. People are the backbone of this world, hurting them touches the world as a whole.
Wouter De Tavernier
Belgium
Even if we have different nationality, religions we are all part of the world. We should care and love each other always.....
Juna Beli
Tirana, Albania
Peace is like love: it can't be taken, it has to be given - and I am the one who has to make the first step. May your visit give people in the Holy Land the courage to give peace to one another.
Johan van den Berg
The Netherlands
Peace is the absence of conflicts, chaos, violence, and destruction. Peace is the presence of caring, love, kindness, mindfulness, goodwill, harmony, collaboration, unity, and compassion.
Vu Nguyen
USA
Let's learn to listen to each other with our hearts. Free yourself from hatred. We are no different than you. Be respectful and coexist peacefully. Thank you, The Elders. God Bless.
Arita Soenarjono
Indonesia
Praying, working, donating and always always hoping for peace in a region I love and respect. Please don't give up. I'm pulling for you all.
Laura Diviney
North Carolina, USA
Thanks for being open and sharing what you are doing. It means a lot to global citizens to see leaders taking a public stand and involving us in their work.
Jason Mogus
Vancouver, BC
Peace constitutes an inescapable imperative the world over and the Middle East is no exception. We need a world where people compete not in killing each other but in loving each other and in sharing.
Ochieng M. Khairalla
Kenya
Thank you for being there and speaking out. You give us all hope.
Nick Bell
Switzerland
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The Elders in Dublin

Guest blog

End the isolation of North Korea

Women protesting during the Arab awakening

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Guest blog

Syria crisis: "We are not able to keep up"

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We must have the courage to defend our values

One of mistakes made is not being more people-centred, #climatechange debate been about science not people suffering - Mary Robinson #EplusY
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The opening ceremony of the Brazilian days of the #YouthBlast is amazing! If in Rio, join us in SulAmerica venue #YBRio http://t.co/u3ROID8t
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An insightful article about #Syria by @gus_c13 from @FPA_ORG http://t.co/7nma58imQf #SyriaCrisis
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Very good Article: #Gaza Without End http://t.co/HHb6U87f #Israel #US #MiddleEast
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Very insightful but controverisal doco on #NorthKorea by John Sweeney, undercover @BBC reporter risking #LSE students http://t.co/lzmkDqSYzx
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@richardbranson @theelders @virgin I want a world where greedy people leave something for the needy
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In year since last BRICS summit, #Syria death toll has risen from 9000 to 70,000+ but they offer no new solutions. http://t.co/zaMDbEhHA6
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RT @washingtonpost: Post poll: Most Americans think environment has deteriorated over past decade, humans are making it worse http://t.co/89F17CUN
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Why I am so delighted to be involved in first ever International Day of the girl --> Because I'm a girl http://t.co/dvgkyWMC #dayofthegirl
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What reconciliation process? | "Sri Lanka should be encouraged in its reconciliation process" http://t.co/qalwfL9QGV #lka #srilanka #unlk
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Inspiring! Indian girls say no to #childmarriage; stand up for right to education instead http://t.co/fxooDkb56E #educationfirst
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More meaningful involvement of big business in #OGP! Important sidenote by @integrilicious in #RioPlus20 post http://t.co/gs78MJoU #opengov
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After listening to women, we need both top-down and bottom-up approaches to development -Mary Robinson of @TheElders at #Rioplus20 #riowomen
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South Sudan Disputes Report on human rights violations: http://t.co/tA0Sz5yY
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"The #Palestinian UN bid is not a unilateral act; it is supported by most of the world's governments." Mary Robinson
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The lesson on Gaza that Israel refuses to learn: There is a proven road to security for the peopl... http://t.co/kWxMRZT3 972Mag #Israel
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'The debate is not about who #Israel’s friends are, but what kind of policy you think the #US should have' @MairavZ http://t.co/YJlwRYTd
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Did you know 41% of women aged 20-49 today were married before 18? http://t.co/7sszJr1F On #DayoftheGirl let's act to #endchildmarriage
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Unbelievable numbers, this is the highest numbers of protesters on the streets in the history of Egypt #Jan25 2012
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Of the world's 130 million out-of-school youth, 70% are girls. Oct 11 is the #DayoftheGirl - http://t.co/Dag92UHs
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Vale ler: Relatório da @CampanhaCresca sobre segurança alimentar e sua conexão com inúmeras questões socioambientais - http://t.co/9yl4DgmE
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@TheElders #IWD Had a chat w/ my daughter (11) about struggle for women's suffrage, & our American Sheroes who led the fight.
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New prAna Blog: Why Organic Is Worth Investing In // Earth Day Series http://t.co/CAib0ma9 #organic #prAna #green #sustainability
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Arms imports 'fuelling South Sudan fighting' - Africa - Al Jazeera English http://t.co/TUXPUEmL via @ajenglish
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Analysis: How do you solve a problem like Korea? via @Telegraph http://t.co/fRDvUzpc
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Want to learn more about the first #dayofthegirl? Read the UN General Assembly Resolution here! http://t.co/4A0iitei
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Sustainability and CSR still have their skeptics. Interesting article: http://t.co/7PbnCt0Z #PRSAIssuesTrends #CSR #sustainability #PR
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Ban Ki-moon: We can no longer burn our way to prosperity, we would need five planets #futurewewant #rioplus20 #UN http://t.co/wDspzeHC
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News

Sheikh Jarrah: solidarity in a shared city

The Elders

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Founder and Honorary Elder

Former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Laureate; a leader who has dedicated his life to the anti-apartheid struggle, democracy and equality; founder of The Elders.

Martti Ahtisaari

Martti Ahtisaari

Former President of Finland; Nobel Peace Laureate and expert in international peace mediation, diplomacy and post-conflict state building.

Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan

Chair of The Elders

Former UN Secretary-General, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders; put development, human rights, the rule of law, good governance and peace at the top of the United Nations agenda.

Ela Bhatt

Ela Bhatt

The ‘gentle revolutionary’; a pioneer in women’s empowerment and grassroots development, founder of the more than 1 million-strong Self-Employed Women’s Association in India.

Lakhdar Brahimi

Lakhdar Brahimi

Former Algerian freedom fighter, Foreign Minister, conflict mediator and UN diplomat; an expert in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Deputy Chair of The Elders

First woman Prime Minister of Norway and Deputy Chair of The Elders; a medical doctor who champions health as a human right; put sustainable development on the international agenda.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso

Fernando H Cardoso

Former President of Brazil; implemented major land reform programme, reduced poverty and significantly improved health and education; an acclaimed sociologist and global advocate for drug policy reform.

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter

Former President of the United States, Nobel Peace Laureate and veteran peace negotiator; dedicated to advancing peace, democracy and health worldwide.

Graça Machel

Graça Machel

International advocate for women’s and children's rights; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique.

Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson

First woman President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; a passionate, forceful advocate for gender equality, women’s participation in peace-building and human dignity.

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu

Honorary Elder

Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Nobel Peace Laureate and Honorary Elder; a veteran anti-apartheid activist and peace campaigner widely regarded as ‘South Africa’s moral conscience’.