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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

South Africa will not be free until Palestine is free. I think this is a Nelson Mandela quote.
Nanima
South Africa
Sadly, the meetings in Europe this week aren't leading to a breakthrough to halt Israeli settlements in Palestine and make way for the peace process to recommence. http://bit.ly/o9Cre
Eileen White Read
Washington, DC
Peace is truly a working effort, while war and hatred seem to come easily. Our job is to show our children that peace is worth our greatest effort.
Cynthia Gore
Franklin, TN
An open apology to the Palestinians and acknowledgment of the mistakes the western world has made in the past, will show respect to all those who suffer, and this will give them hope and strength.
Gerardus Smeets
Germany
What unites us in being human is much greater than that which divides us. Let unity triumph in peace.
Alia
Austin, TX
I was honoured to participate in the lunch yesterday and inspired by the message of hope and encouragement you bring. May G-d bless you and all of us with success in the mission of peace-making.
Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann
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
We are one humanity upon this planet and sharing in unconditional love and peace unites us all.
Harold W Becker
USA
Peace will only come about if ordinary Israelis and Palestinians do something they might not typically do: reach out to the other, the stranger, interact and find common ground.
Mabel van Oranje
The Netherlands
I support efforts to end the suffering in Israel and Palestine. I hope that you will be listened to.
nemir adjina
cagliari, sardinia.
Thanks a lot for the wonderful work you're doing through the whole world,we appreciate for that,and for us we also need such opportunity to reach us here in Uganda
Ssenteza
uganda
Gratitude to the Elders and to all who are working for peace and justice. Thank you.
Beth Edmonds
San Jose, CA
Our brothers and sisters in the Middle East have a choice to make. Live in peace or rest in peace. I believe they will follow the example of Isaac and Ishmael and forgive each other.
Flossipher
Winnipeg
Our planet needs to be free from the pursuit of selfish gain. I am an earthling & believe our Planet should be Under the rule of no man or woman. All animals deserve to be Free, as nature intended.
Christian Boshell
Dublin
If the U.S.A. would begin a policy of Loving and Giving vs. Fighting and Taking, we will see Peace Globally to include the Middle East.
Craig Davies Metteauer
Hawaii
You elders are showing us how to build a better world community. Please keep working as a force for compassionate listening and taking a stand for what's right. Thank you.
Tom Gibbons
Tucson, AZ USA
War has killed millions of beautiful human beings - Yet if a Microbe was found on another planet it would be cherished as a miracle - Peace, respect and tolerance is the only way forward.
James Cassells
Sydney Australia
Prayers and work for peace in our household don't stop after 30 years. We will not give up.
Laura Diviney
North Carolina, USA
We are all on the same planet, same species all the divisions are man made. There are no invisible lines in the sand. Live now, not in the past, foundations for a future of harmony, peace, love.
Michelle Goff
London, UK
African must have to EMULATE H. E. Nelson Mandela to move the continent forward! CONGRATULATION our hero. The Angels of Jehovah shall always be with you. Amen
David Atieku
Ghana
Thank you Hanar Shaat for the wonderful article you published here on October 18, 2010. You have the vision.
DW Duke
USA
Women are the key to building peace. Women's participation and representation is an integral part of any peace process. Women will bring constructive, creative and sustainable solutions to the table.
Ela Bhatt
India
From the American on the Jewish boat to Gaza. "Palestine I Hear You" We can no longer meet hate with hate but rather look into the eyes of our enemy and see ourselves.
Lillian Rosengarten
Hudson Valley, New York
Many thanks to The Elders. Humanity must understand that we are all the same. Believing in the same God.
Cristina Rudäng
Stockholm
Borders are for administrative purposes only. Each granule of sand is the property entrusted to humanity. Humane Society across the border shall break the barrier.
Jayaraman Rajah Iyer
Kodaikanal, India
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
*love thy enemy not just to be your friend but more so your brother,for he is* i have walked kids along the hills of south Hebron harrassed and threatened by settlers for walking the hills of Hebron
michael hall
earth
You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Every Palestinian has the right to help himself in the absence of help from anywhere else. Free palestine
Julien
The Netherlands
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
Tolerance, Respect for Human Rights and Peace, can't no be achieve separately. Our world without those 3 elements is just unsustainable.
Marga Britto
Mexico
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We must have the courage to defend our values

This week we’re in India bringing together over 70 organisations from across South Asia working to end #childmarriage http://t.co/a8uGBSLw
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Mark Holtzman
From The Elders' Facebook page
Egypt’s president faces balancing act http://t.co/N7D2JlQp
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RT @maldiveshcuk: Press Release: Maldives Plans to Lead the Way in Sustainable Tourism http://t.co/a1f89CJX #RioPlus20
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@TheElders listen 2 ideas of youth. they see solutions where others see problems! #RioPlus20
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@TheElders Please help us with our Human Rights Documentary and donate or share! Thx a lot! http://t.co/DHhM1HnI
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Rio+20 talks ‘very helpful’ for UN climate talks – Figueres http://t.co/InkurFs5 #rioplus20
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Article - Islamists & Democracy: Cautions from Pakistan http://t.co/9QaoMSKtt7 #arabspring #democracy #tunisia #egypt #islam
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South Sudan Is Not SPLM http://t.co/mIFjMC7X #sudan via @allafrica
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RT @WHO: Ensuring universal health coverage is essential to reduce poverty, build healthy societies http://t.co/pAwiG8qw #Rioplus20 #futurewewant
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To achieve sustainable development our world leaders must agree on stricter rules for businesses, especially bug businesses that are destroying the planet. These rules should enforce recycling,...
Grace Hall
From The Elders' Facebook page
RT @think_or_swim: Mary Robinson urges young people to ‘get angry’ about global warming, using the Occupy model http://t.co/AdhEaF8K #mrfcj #climate
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Majority of Businesses Say #Sustainability Is Vital To Growth | Sustainable Brands http://t.co/9cUquZcN via @SustainBrands
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The Forgotten Girls @independent Support the Fight Against Forced Marriage @PlanUK International #DayoftheGirl http://t.co/8RGP0vfY
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Great read on #women as workers and consumers in the green economy, from Candice Stevens http://t.co/xbDMVlX8 #WomenRio #RioPlus20
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World leaders accused of backsliding on women's rights http://t.co/8K4wg5XI via @guardian @TheElders
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RT @UN: Ban Ki-moon: "Nowhere in the world should it be an act of bravery for a young girl to go to school." http://t.co/4CqJbzbC #DayoftheGirl
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RT @SLcampaign: #HRC19 So why don’t more Sri Lankans speak out on #humanrights in #Srilanka? This is why…http://t.co/GB8or4bL
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#SouthSudan: Refugees at risk in Maban county. MSF calling for other agencies to increase their support http://t.co/vlNWZykL
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Great article from @thedailybeast on what @hrw calls the "appalling" conditions of #Palestinians in Lebanon: http://t.co/lW5BVdXX #Syria
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#UN Paper Factory Threatened with Closure http://t.co/S4CaquN8 #deforestation #RioPlus20
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RT @UN_Women: #Rioplus20: #Thai women preparing for #naturaldisasters - example of what women in #sustdev can do! http://t.co/ctEk86ra #WomenRio
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Check it out !! Great photos, great story but very sad situation !! http://t.co/FIXrCU1s @panopictures #christianAls #photo #sudan #fotos
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Despond Tutu's article about social/econ equity: "Time to Close the Gap." http://t.co/XLJbUbjT #Davos via @TheElders #inequality
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Poverty assessment in South Sudan http://t.co/4JFJaYjS
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RT @joaoscarpelini: We need an #Ombudsperson in #Rio to advocate for sustainable development on behalf of future generations. #FutureWeWant #Rioplus20
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#Rioplus20: Ban Ki-Moon announces more than 100 commitments on #sustainable energy http://t.co/rRQ9Rsno #Rioplus20
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RT @haaretzonline: Never mind the #WestBank settlements, it's the absurdity, writes Amira Hass http://t.co/RyB0eOnc
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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’.