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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

For the construction of a better world, you don't need to wait until something changes, you have to change in order for things to happen.
Anne
México
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
The Elders’ visit casts a powerful moral clarity. Clearly, our destiny—Palestinians and Israelis—is to live together, as equals. Please call for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions now.
Sam Bahour
Ramallah
May the Almighty, bless you and may He guide you so that you may see beyond the lies and deception of the wrong doers.
Yahya Docrat
South Africa
In South Africa we learnt that when you cast aside fear, forgive and move forward with courage: anything is possible!
Corlia Peters
Cape Town
I sincerely hope your mission is successful and those people stop fighting in the Holy Land. I oppose all violence, even non-physical violence.
Tom Vitale
Altanta, GA (born Pgh. PA.)
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
please, don't forget that aged people can revitalise the other. A MISSION.
ivo wolff gersberg
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
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
Peace comes out from the barrel of a gun & armed-resistances is contra to each other, might is right is not right, evil to face by evil is evil too, bunch of lies for war or terrorism are not Peace!
Veteran Dr. A. Momin
Netherlands
The "How" is the game of life.
Chandrashekar Tamirisa
Rockville, Maryland
Don't give up, ever. There is more that links us together than divides us. We must all find our common humanity.
Sarah Lewis
United Kingdom
Reach out in love and light to eachother. There is only one Universal Language, and that is the Language of Love . No words are needed , only a smile, with love we can save THE WORLD.
Pauline Kelly
The Netherlands
what human is a human who does not make the world better ?
Almuntaser albalawi
Amman . jordan
We will look back and say, "Remember when the middle east was fraught with violence and peace seemed impossible? Hard to imagine that now…"
Penina S. Finger
USA
Pursuing peace with all men as admonished by the Holy Bible is a creed that all men should live by. People from all over the world are one regardless of race, education and economic independence.
Wanda Kenneth Oluka
Lagos, Nigeria
The entire country' ,from the sea to the river,should be open to both Israelis and Palestinians, enjoying equal rights and rejecting any discrimination. This political entity should be a Condominium,
Ervin Y. Kedar (prof. Ph.D.)
Israel/Palestine
A true and just peace can only benefit all. Each of us were made in the image of God, each one deserving to a life free from fear, humiliation, pain and suffering.
Diana Hasna
Florida
At this time of the year, it is particularily poignant that there is such pain and division in the place where Jesus was born. I hold all of the Palestinian and Israeli people in my prayers.
Elaine Murray
Kilkenny, Ireland
Only when we achieve being aware of God even in our rivals, we can be aware of God at all. No one should talk about religious reasons while fighting against other beings! I pray for us all for awaking
Eva Bongartz
Germany
it´s time to aim for a universal language compulsary for everyone at school to learn beside the native
sture mattsson
åland islands finland
We are all on the same planet, same species, all the divisions are man made. The invisible 'lines in the sand' are illusions. Live in the now not in the past. Peace, love, forgiveness.
Michelle Goff
UK
I am writing to appreciate your work across the globe. I am a big fan from India and also a follower on twitter. Please accept my compliments and do share your thoughts/plans (if any) around India.
Kavita Adhikari
Bangalore, India
The land has been bequeathed to all of Abraham's children - both from Isaac and Ishmael. It is my prayer that the family reunite as did the brothers when they buried their father.
Julianne Michaels
Cross Village, Michigan USA
All my hopes are with the young people of Gaza. That they will continue believing in their future as the world doesn't make it easy on them.
Wendy Oorthuis
The Netherlands
Forgiveness and Love are difficult when differences are long standing. We offer our support to anyone who can overcome their personal hurts and care for other human beings as themselves.
Jan & John
Calgary Canada
South Africa will not be free until Palestine is free. I think this is a Nelson Mandela quote.
Nanima
South Africa
I hope all the world would be in Peace. Without War, Birds Would Be Singing. The peace from two sides not from one side so we should come together in one point.
Ahed Abu Sharekh
Palestine
I met with a number of Israeli and Palestinian peace groups back in 2005 and since then I have shared their work with thousands of Americans who are largely unaware of peace organizations there.
Joe Parko
Tennessee, USA
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
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Syria crisis: "We are not able to keep up"

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RT @assuss: one year ago today, the world became aware of a city called #Daraa where a group of schoolchildren sparked a revolution. #Syria #March15
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I believe that the work that The Elders are doing is most significant as many people have lost hope through poverty and unemployment in South Africa. We need to mobilise communities so that every...
Adele Pillay
From The Elders' Facebook page
What measures will be used to stop the war in syria in a peaceful manner?#AskTheElders
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Clear message from nordic seminar on #equality and #welfare: No #sustainableDevelopment without equal rights http://t.co/8kHSCStR #rioplus20
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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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Smallholders are often hailed as part of the solution. Where are they and how do you work with them? We can help you #rioplus20
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Inclusive Wealth Index? http://t.co/02fDJAtY RT @TheElders better tool than #GDP to measure how societies are performing? #EplusY #RioPlus20
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Can Engaged Global Citizens Foster Earth-Friendly Diplomacy? http://t.co/9ZJvYC7m | via @dotearth #RioPlus20
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@TheElders Digital resource centre working to advance awareness+education +training abt Honour Killings.Please RT & help spread the word.
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@TheElders - event piloting idea of protecting future peoples today - tonight 6pm - everyone welcome! http://t.co/XutgvRuK
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RT @Ch16org: Options running out for 37,000 #Sudan refugees in Jamam, #SouthSudan http://t.co/E3XnriGL @Oxfam
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Maybe not so bold, but certainly worth creating. Balance rather than growth as an economic indicator. What are we as human beings, lemmings? Can any of you, or people you influence, figure out a...
Nancy Rice
From The Elders' Facebook page
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We must have the courage to defend our values

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’.