What kind of world do we want for our great-great-grandchildren?
Good jobs? Clean air? Leaders who listen to them?
Watch the new Elders+Youngers video and join the debate.
What kind of world do we want for our great-great-grandchildren?
Good jobs? Clean air? Leaders who listen to them?
Watch the new Elders+Youngers video and join the debate.
“A fiercely independent and robust force for good”
Nelson Mandela founded The Elders in 2007, setting out his vision of a small group of leaders committed to addressing global challenges - from child marriage to climate change.
The Elders is founded on the idea that we now live in a 'global village', an increasingly interconnected, interdependent world.
Whether you're an activist, someone affected by conflict, or you want to share a message: this is a space for you to hear from the people the Elders are working with, join the discussion and connect with other members of our community.
Visit our Global Village.

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 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’.

Following his appointment as Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Kofi Annan has temporarily withdrawn from The Elders.