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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

Please consider the world our grandchildren will share, and put aside today's political and economic pressures. Our grandchildren must live in the world we leave them. Our problems are irrelevant.
Rob Branch-Dasch
The Garden
Thank you all so very much. With your wisdom, experience and guidance, may the peace process move forward.
Fiona Bateson
British Columbia, Canada
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
Prayers and work for peace in our household don't stop after 30 years. We will not give up.
Laura Diviney
North Carolina, USA
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
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
Shalom. Salem. Peace. May we all take this opportunity to recognise the unity behind the schisms that have divided us for so long.
Sarah Bisby
UK
May God continue to bless all of you who work on this planet in the name of peace. Our hearts and prayers are with you in your endeavors always!
Carol Lee
Amish Country, USA
Because of greed of mankind,unless humanitarian people who are resourceful and the masses take bold action the Concept of Sustainable Development will not come to fruition.
George Darlington Hashaka
Kampala,Uganda
The price we pay for destroying peace is too high we cannot afford it anymore.
Purity Mwangi
Kenya
Mankind should augment their synapses in the globe brain to promote peace and prosperity and with the presence of Information,Communication Technology we can.
George Darlington Hashaka
Kampala
Young children should grow in with dreams and hopes, not hate and fear. Your efforts can only create a sense of urgency for this next generation. Bring the mothers together to create a healthy dialog
Fran Ricardo
USA
May the divine powers of mercy,forgiveness,love and compassion bring peace to the Middle East
Aaron Quinn
England
The world is leveraging our global interdependence, love is the overwhelming force within our brave new world, dictators and war mongers will get tired and learn that they were love all along
Tony Maden
Midwest USA
all the people must work in this way because all are brothers and sisters living together in the same planet, thanks dear Elders for your help in this way
Esther
Spain
South Africa will not be free until Palestine is free. I think this is a Nelson Mandela quote.
Nanima
South Africa
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
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
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
Peace will only come with the return the Prince of Peace.: Yeshua the Messiah / Jesus the Christ. So lift up the Son of Man because all other plans will fail. That's God's plan for peace.
www.refreshing.me.uk
Sea of Gallilee
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
Please consider the world our grandchildren will share, and put aside today's political and economic pressures. Our grandchildren must live in the world we leave them. Our problems are irrelevant.
Rob Branch-Dasch
The Garden
Peace , a simply word with a great meaning! Inside this word we are friendship, collaboration, love, union, the sounds of our hearts...Try to follow this word in every moment of our life!
Nella
Italy
Dear all one heartily request to you all please don’t create any humour on Ayodhya Verdict thats only effect the general public only and please pass this msg as many as you can
praj
india
Dear Collegues, I am personally advising the United Nations Security Council to bear with the works which the Elders are doing just for peaceful solution & negotiations with the Palestinians & others
Dr Safdar Khalifa/UN Rtd
Nigeria
The best way to end war is to make it a less profitable business. This is (besides getting rid of religion) the most crucial point - where our beloved governments constantly and willingly fail.
Martin Hoffmann
Paraguay
Pursing 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
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
We are all part of the peace we wish for - One Earth, One Heart, infinite paths... Thank you for your efforts, your vision, your willingness to listen, share truth, create connections. Many Blessings!
Amy
SF Bay Are, CA, USA
‘Peace is the only battle worth waging.’ - Albert Camus. Protest with a smile at injustice and with calm determination. Ádh mór oraibh!
Robbi
Belfast, Ireland
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News

The Elders in Dublin

Guest blog

End the isolation of North Korea

Women protesting during the Arab awakening

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Guest blog

Syria crisis: "We are not able to keep up"

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We must have the courage to defend our values

O que fazer para mudar? Um novo blog que promete surge aí! http://t.co/2bHrsdra
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Rio+20 talks ‘very helpful’ for UN climate talks – Figueres http://t.co/InkurFs5 #rioplus20
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Rio+Social, un tentativo di allargare il dibattito sulla sostenibilità a #Rioplus20 http://t.co/sPDmgGPb via @rivistavps #socialgood
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RT @warisara: Here are some pics of iconic monuments turned pink for the launch of #bcimagirl #dayofthegirl on #BBC Newsround http://t.co/bgGyW7Iz
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A look at the strengths and weaknesses of #NorthKorea's military: http://t.co/LD6Vxw4WCG - VW
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@TheElders Will #Legalization & Regulation of #Prostitution Help In Containing The Spread Of HIV? What Do You Think? http://t.co/aL8b4OJC
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#Rioplus20 #YouthBlast report by @MGCY_UNCSD is launched today as part of the #IYD celebrations. Read it! https://t.co/bTfCUsQp
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Timeline: Gender equality, 2012 year in review, some of the achievements http://t.co/DXeNeZre
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“This signifies the beginning of the collapse of the West Bank-first model...” Nathan Thrall in @washingtonpost http://t.co/z6QWJtEg #Gaza
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#UN Resolution #Srilanka #HRC22 adopted. Check http://t.co/rZhwcwSiVq for study on #impunity
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The G(irls)20 Summit will take place in Mexico in May. Apply to represent your country. Visit www.girls20summit.com. DEADLINE is Monday, Jan 16th at MIDNIGHT...
Farah Mohamed
From The Elders' Facebook page
RT @RawahBadrawi: Critical, clear, unbiased, an absolute must-read for all: :International Crisis Group : Egypt Conflict Alert http://t.co/5W26kPHs
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Why #SudanRevolts is being ignored by global media. thought-provoking piece from @eldahshan #Sudan http://t.co/21kduchQ
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Men forming human chain around women marchers. Pretty sure it's symbolic as women are leading some of the loudest chants. #tahrir #Jan25
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#SouthSudan One Year After Independence: http://t.co/ihrasnmq via @BrookingsInst June 28 join dialogue via twitter #AGISouthSudan #newSUDANS
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Green power holds promise to replace fossil fuel as world's primary electricity source - http://t.co/8b5JLo53 #climatechange #Rioplus20
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#UN launches Sustainable Development Solutions Network to lead post-2015 development agenda http://t.co/bs8eiD97 #SDSN #RioPlus20
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#NorthKorea agrees to 'nuclear moratorium' @BBCWorld http://t.co/iirpb1hs
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NGOs, civil society, academia, and business showed some real leadership in #Rioplus20. Too bad most government "leaders" did not.
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SOUTH SUDAN FACING FOOD CRISIS Poor crops and tensions with North force Juba to import high-cost supplies from... http://t.co/K8u1z7jY
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RT @SusanSarandon: WATCH: Heads of #UNICEF @refugees @WFP @WHO @UNOCHA appeal to govts to find political solution to #Syriacrisis. http://t.co/SoIqzhoQs4
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@globalcompact calls on companies to commit to the #futurewewant http://t.co/AEfgZKGm #rioplus20
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Obama's Nightmare http://t.co/q2gHcPnu No one explains the #MiddleEast like Tom Friedman. Must read. #syria
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@TheElders For sustainable development we need tax breaks and subsidies for social entrepreneurs, like those the oil companies enjoy.
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The economic recession forces more girls into #childmarriage, finds @PlanGlobal & @Odi_development http://t.co/fhc1kL8B
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Sustainability and CSR still have their skeptics. Interesting article: http://t.co/7PbnCt0Z #PRSAIssuesTrends #CSR #sustainability #PR
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Yida: Life on the South Sudan border: http://t.co/WOVS1En7
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Today is @UN Int'l Day of the Girl Child. Go to http://t.co/QcDIwOzt to learn about the challenges & power of girls around the world
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@TheElders give the 'poor' motivation to do something rather then expect something, educate the 'rich' about the dangers of detachment.
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RT @CARE: Share your voice to let the world know that #childmarriage must come to an end: http://t.co/RZLuwKYh
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News

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’.