Latest work

News

A forum for peace

News

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

Peace can be achieved, but only through dialogue. When we talk to each other face-to-face we realise how much we have in common. Let us talk and we will find that elusive peace.
Timothy I Mullen
United Kingdom
Help Greek politicians solve the debt crisis without exhausting to death the Greek people. The way they have begun solving the crisis does not allow growth.
ELENI ANTONOPOULOU
ATHENS, GREECE
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
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
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 support efforts to end the suffering in Israel and Palestine. I hope that you will be listened to.
nemir adjina
cagliari, sardinia.
Peace a path, violence, a direction, peace is illusional, it's preferred over violence, which is delusional; peacing pays only much less than warring- no profit, pleasure in destruction or murder :)
reality james m nordlund
fargo, united suck of assassins
Last time you came and preached to the choir. We in the peace camp love you all, but you must engage with the opponents of peace on both sides, settlers and jihadists.
Aharon Eviatar
Israel
As an American Jew I opposed the right of the Apartheid regime in South Africa to exist, just as I oppose the right of the Apartheid regime in Israel to exist. Racism has no right to exist.
Mark E. Smith
San Diego USA
Thank you Archbishop Desmond Tutu for your support of Gay Rights across the globe. Equality and Equity for all!
Emelia Music
London
I wish Israeli and Palestinian leaders opened up their hearts for love and peace in this land which -although it seems completely impossible- should and could be the actual source of peace.
Jutta
Germany
For there to be peace there is a need to recognise past pain. To heal the pain we need understanding. To succeed we need to know that all of our needs as fellow human beings are much the same.
Gill Heriz
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
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
Genuine peace should be the primary goal of all nations. Regarding Israel and the Palestinians, the goal should be the same as long as both have security and complete sovereignty.
August Woerner
Westerly, RI
Militarizing development, research and science and maintaining an arms economy for geopolitical, corporate and private gain has clearly become an unsustainable concept.
Hans F. Schweinsberg
Toronto, Canada
South Africa will not be free until Palestine is free. I think this is a Nelson Mandela quote.
Nanima
South Africa
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
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
“I, too, am an African,” Africans are of blood and of soil, but also the spirit says Prof Dumas in his inaugural lecture at the UFS reminiscing about his life and experiences on the continent
Charles dumas
South Africa
Sadly, the meetings in Europe this week aren't leading to a breakthrough to halt Israeli settlements in Palestine and make way for the peace process to recommence. http://bit.ly/o9Cre
Eileen White Read
Washington, DC
The Elephant currently has its foot on the tail of the Mouse. Thank you, The Elders, for demanding the Elephant to move.
Anna Kallio
Pori, Finland
Seems obvious that Israel has given much and gained little. Has Hamas renounced its desire to destroy Israel? The international community needs to hold both sides accountable, not just Israel.
Micky Brady
Minnesota
I'm tired of conferences, questions and wealthy people traveling the world to discuss what we can do. When will someone step out from the masses and create something novel that we can act on instead of discussing?
Bret A. Warshawsky
United States
The world must look to the youth of, not just Gaza, but everywhere to make a difference. We owe youth so much more than terrorism. They are our future.
Carolyn McKay
New Zealand.
There are two ways of getting richer. Either you need less or you get more. Only when society will be based on the first, peace and justice will prevail.
Leandro Jasiocha
Brussels
The time for terror is long past... we now need to support each other by building trust and understanding between all nations so that our children and grandchildren may grow in harmony for a peace
Susie Briscoe
UK
Welcome! messengers of peace. Your love & concern are empowering our hope and vision for a peaceful future in our region. We all know that it is possible and its the only way! Yours, Miriam Ohevetel
Miriam Ohevetel Iron
Jerusalem
Even if we have different nationality, religions we are all part of the world. We should care and love each other always.....
Juna Beli
Tirana, Albania
Both sides, Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and recognize each other existence. Israelis to give back the 1967 occupied lands and Palestinians to acknowledge the state of Israel.
Sultan Salem
Jordan
Cancel

1: Add your message

2: Upload your photo

Maximum file size: 1 MB
Allowed extensions: png jpg jpeg gif
News

The Elders in Dublin

Guest blog

End the isolation of North Korea

Women protesting during the Arab awakening

Have a question? Visit our new FAQ page

Guest blog

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

News

We must have the courage to defend our values

Recommended reading: #China and #NorthKorea: A Tangled Partnership, http://t.co/946PaFGLYW via @Stratfor
Twitter From Twitter
@TheElders Digital resource centre working to advance awareness+education +training abt Honour Killings.Please RT & help spread the word.
Twitter From Twitter
What the #ArabSpring has done for #women’s equality, in one chart http://t.co/GHdCDlbN #Yemen #Egypt #gender #equality
Twitter From Twitter
Twitter From Twitter
#Egypt: “there is no revolution without the participation of #women or without their security” http://t.co/dmGOcOT2 via @nytimes
Twitter From Twitter
Statement from @ICRW & @GirlsNotBrides ahead of #EducationFirst Summit with Gordon Brown on #childmarriage http://t.co/TGOIk6bMbM
Twitter From Twitter
Excellent piece from @Justmeans! MT @taigacompany: What do corporate #sustainability goals for 2020 really mean? http://t.co/0CTEsUqY #CSR
Twitter From Twitter
When women gain equal access to land & family resources, they invest in their daughter’s education – not their wedding http://t.co/ayq4rCSv
Twitter From Girls Not Brides on Twitter
‘de-mythologizing’ South Sudan’s “Christian and Animist” Population http://t.co/77RoV9Pq Good read!
Twitter From Twitter
NEWS: EU to lift most Zimbabwe sanctions after referendum http://t.co/M5IkoiHQ
Twitter From Twitter
RT @ASE: The fact that women received less than 2 percent of the vote in #Egypt parliament is discouraging in #2012. #EgyElections #jan25
Twitter From Twitter
Joel Rosenberg: From consumers to producers – the emergence of new urban farmers http://t.co/Xs2zdjtB #csr #sustainability
Twitter From Twitter
"The #Palestinian UN bid is a peaceful, diplomatic act; one that could help revive the stalled #MiddleEast peace process" Martti Ahtisaari
Twitter From Twitter
@TheElders enter BoP markets with businesses that serve the poor - ex: @OutofPoverty
Twitter From Twitter
Can Engaged Global Citizens Foster Earth-Friendly Diplomacy? http://t.co/9ZJvYC7m | via @dotearth #RioPlus20
Twitter From Twitter
RT @ifpri_enviro: http://t.co/jR5M72Dg #Veggies in their own backyard—a #sustainable development solution for #Indonesia. #RioPlus20 #Ag4Rio
Twitter From Twitter
If you read one article today: Aid Groups Report New Level of Misery Among Displaced #Syrians http://t.co/ZP6yjPgO #Syria
Twitter From Twitter
RT @State_IO: #SecClinton: We look to govt of #SriLanka to implement recommendations of the LLRC & take necessary measures to address accountability.
Twitter From Twitter
@TheElders My partner was filming in the Pitjatjanjarra Lands & he learnt that resourcing the Elders is crucial to empowering WISE #youth.
Twitter From Twitter
In India, young reporters initiative encourages teenage boys to write about & stop #childmarriage in their communities http://t.co/p1gZnB7n
Twitter From Twitter
More meaningful involvement of big business in #OGP! Important sidenote by @integrilicious in #RioPlus20 post http://t.co/gs78MJoU #opengov
Twitter From Twitter
Great article from @thedailybeast on what @hrw calls the "appalling" conditions of #Palestinians in Lebanon: http://t.co/lW5BVdXX #Syria
Twitter From Twitter
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
#Egypt Despite the Arab revolt, women remain shackled to past - Sydney Morning Herald: Sydne... http://t.co/8Iaz5ikR #Tahrir #ArabSpring
Twitter From Twitter
Twitter From Twitter
Two years on, Syria burns while the world fiddles - an indepth look at the #SyriaCrisis by ARA's Stephen Starr: http://t.co/SeYoGiBvfp
Twitter From Twitter
RT @LeoDiCaprio: #DateWithHistory winner Brittany leaves world leaders speechless with brave call for action at #rioplus20 http://t.co/e8xUeo01
Twitter From Twitter
@TheElders Global problems should be tackled using local practical solutions.
Twitter From Twitter
A question for the live debate today- Is an international crime of ecocide the answer to sustainability? ...
Ecocide is a Crime
From The Elders' Facebook page
RT @GirlsNotBrides: “The winds of change seem to be blowing” More good news from India as 17yo girl refuses to accept her #childmarriage http://t.co/DRdZBwlY
Twitter From Twitter
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’.