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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

An enemy is actually a friend waiting to be made. We found this to be so in South Africa. It will be no different in the Holy land.
Desmond Tutu
South Africa
Tolerance and respect are human virtues and peace is a human right. Thanks to the Elders and to my elders for their support and their values. Let us pass it to the younger generations.
Susana Castro
Lisboa, Portugal
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
Grief can interrupt the abiity to build peaceful relationships. It can even obstruct the ability to see that possibility. Healing grief, then, is an integral part of the peacemaking process.
Janie Cook
USA
Real peace comes from living harmoniously with one another. The 'reality on the ground' won't go away so isn't it time to work towards a single state solution?
Mike Lake
Derby, England
Blessings and Aloha, thank you Elders for making a journey for World Peace. My prayer is for the children and the Earth to be cared for - everywhere. When we put our hearts in charge it will happen.
Leslie Larsen
Kaua'i, Hawai'i
it wonders me that the world wide " wholesale peacemakers"[US&allies] are still supporting israel...
MuHammEd FaZiL BiN MusThaFa
InDIA
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
Many thanks to The Elders. Humanity must understand that we are all the same. Believing in the same God.
Cristina Rudäng
Stockholm
Peace can be achieved if the Palestinian and the Israelis agreed to live together as equal.All i want for my people n Gaza is to live with dignity and to be free of all the restrictions around them.
Mary Hreish
U.S.A
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
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
*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
we are all attached atomically to the universe- we are bonded biologically to all life- we are connected chemically to this planet- we should be astounded,awed, humbled and understand we are tenants
michael
usa
It has been said that until the children of the Middle East sleep soundly in their beds, neither will children around the world. Please join us in this historic opportunity for peace.
Jeff Skoll
USA
Peace is an activity, not a place or an end--it's an ongoing process of connection and conversation and exploration. And I can think of no better work to be engaged in. Thank you, each, so, so much.
Siona
USA
Peace takes so much more courage than war. Understanding takes so much more work than intolerance. Getting started is harder than doing something. Be brave enough to be different.
Kat
USA
To tackle&bring about solutions for the greater good,we need youth councils that are mentored by the Elders to do their part in regions around the world.No one person can accomplish anything alone.
Jefferson Lim
Brunei Darussalam
The Elders is the most important group I believe has ever been formed. It is a reminder that the world must listen to wisdom if humanity is to heal its wounds and embrace a positive future.
Ben Erwin
New York, NY
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
Could you get the Rothschild , Rockefeller and the Morgan bankers together and talk to them about peace ?
Mary Ramsey
Chesnee SC 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
Here's a good start...The Venus Project http://www.thevenusproject.com/ You may call it Utopia....however as Lennon sang in Imagine..."I hope some day you will join us" Peace!!
Rob
Northern California - USA
Peace is possible, however can only be possible and attainable when those who wants peace make a true commitment that love will prevail, and respect for the rights of others is considered paramount.
Kaa Enoch
Abuja Nigeri
We owe it to our grandchildren, to our children, to our parents, to our friends, neighbours and ourselves to act for peace. And the first step for peace is to communicate, have contact with the other.
Joske Diesfeldt
Belgium
Thank you Archbishop Desmond Tutu for your support of Gay Rights across the globe. Equality and Equity for all!
Emelia Music
London
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
Peaceful relationships recognize we are all one. When we harm others, we harm ourselves. There is no higher truth. Thank you all for your service to humanity.
Barbara
Saint Augustine Florida
There is an historic opportunity for Peace. Palestinians and Israelis should seize it, for their own sake, and that of their children.
Gro Brundtland
Norway
We obtained peace in Northern Ireland through dialogue. I pray that one day a lasting and sustainable solution can be obtained in the Middle East through similar, peaceful dialogue.
Peggy Sheridan
Belfast
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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict 101 by @jvplive Jewish Voice for Peace http://t.co/M5zDxpbfBB #israel #Palestine #ObamaInIsrael
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UN Human Rts Council recently investigated atrocities in Libya, Syria, Cote d'Ivoire. Why not #SriLanka? http://t.co/AvXDcMRZ v @ColumLynch
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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’.