Time to close the gap
“We can no longer ignore this growing distance between rich and poor. It is time to close the gap. It is time to talk about making real changes so that the world becomes a more equitable place.”
Read Desmond Tutu's blog from the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Egypt: a revolution
for women?
“I doubt the revolution could have succeeded without the participation of Egyptian women. I am certain that building a just, democratic and prosperous Egypt will depend on it.”
As Egyptians celebrate the first anniversary of the 2010 revolution, Mary Robinson argues that women must be at the heart of the new Egypt. Read the blog here.
Kofi Annan in Côte d'Ivoire
After a two-day visit to Abidjan, Kofi Annan emphasised that “the task of reconciliation and healing must remain a priority,” and repeated The Elders' call for an inclusive reconciliation process.
While noting improvements in the overall security situation and the economy, he also highlighted the urgent need for security sector reform – read the full statement here.
The Elders
Brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders is an independent group of global leaders who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.
Who are The Elders? What do they stand for? How do they work? Find out more.
Throughout their work, the Elders strive to hear from young people. Having met youth of Cairo, Gaza, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Nicosia, Pyongyang, Ramallah and Seoul in the past few years, they welcomed the opportunity of their biannual gathering in Rio de Janeiro, in October 2011, to meet around fifty young Brazilians.
From Twitter
Fernando Henrique Cardoso offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Elders’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro in October 2011. The Elders meet twice a year to discuss their initiatives to promote peace and human rights. With fellow Elders Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Jimmy Carter and Martti Ahtisaari, President Cardoso talks about the Elders’ recent work on child marriage, the Middle East peace process and the Korean Peninsula.
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.
Former President of Finland; Nobel Peace Laureate and expert in international peace mediation, diplomacy and post-conflict state building.
Former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Laureate; put development, human rights, the rule of law, good governance and peace at the top of the United Nations agenda.
Former Algerian freedom fighter, Foreign Minister, conflict mediator and UN diplomat; an expert in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.
First woman Prime Minister of Norway; a medical doctor who champions health as a human right; put sustainable development on the international agenda.
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.
Former President of the United States, Nobel Peace Laureate and veteran peace negotiator; dedicated to advancing peace, democracy and health worldwide.
International advocate for women’s and children's rights; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique.
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.
Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders; a veteran anti-apartheid activist and peace campaigner widely regarded as ‘South Africa’s moral conscience’.
