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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

Thank you to The Elders for getting out the truth about the oppression of the Palestinians and working for a peaceful resolution. For too many decades, the Western world hasn't paid attention.
Debbie Montesano
Chandler, AZ
Dear Elders.... I am writing from Jerusalem, en route to Gaza. Our project Gaza 24/24 speaks directly to your concerns. It is my hope to collaborate. Sincerely, Maurice Jacobsen
Maurice Jacobsen
Jerusalem/Gaza
There can only be peace when the governments of the world stop the war machine and stop making weapons of death. When the power of love overthrows those who love power, only then will there be peace X
Aaron Patrick Quinn
England
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
Silver Inning Foundation an NGO working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience Supports 'The Elders' Initiative .
Sailesh Mishra
India
Until we learn to love and forgive our selves, respect each others opinion, then there will be change for peace. The words of the elders are like the words of the gods and should be put into practice.
Justin Kingland
Malaysia
It is a beautiful and powerful stand for peace and prosperity, there is hope knowing that men and women such as the elders with years of experience and wisdom under their belt creating a movement.
Kelly
Greenville
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
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
I hosted the Elders dialogue today at Government house in Jerusalem. The path to peace is there to grasp through women and children of the coming generations. The choice is yours!
Robert Mood
UNTSO
Reach out in love and light to eachother. There is only one Universal Language, and that is the Language of Love . No words are needed , only a smile, with love we can save THE WORLD.
Pauline Kelly
The Netherlands
There is only one way ahead for our world and it is through peace among all nations, love between all human beings - and for all other beings - and a true commitment by everyone to live accordingly.
Jean Hudon
Quebec, Canada
Pursuing 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
If a friend can become an enemy. Then an enemy can become a friend.
Vu Nguyen
The United States Of America
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
You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Every Palestinian has the right to help himself in the absence of help from anywhere else. Free palestine
Julien
The Netherlands
Thank you for working so hard for real peace in our global village. I hope for a time when more of us recognise our common humanity rather than the things that divide us. Love and light to all.
Chris
Adelaide Australia
The "How" is the game of life.
Chandrashekar Tamirisa
Rockville, Maryland
Hi I have been in the last 4 years lecturing for Palestinians about the Jewish Holocaust in europe. i would like to introduce this Jobb to the elders showing its powe to bring peace 052-455
khaled kasab mahameed
khaledlajon@yahoo.com
All my hopes are with the young people of Gaza. That they will find the courage and inspiration to keep believing in their future as the world doesn't make it easy for them.
Wendy Oorthuis
The Netherlands
Sharing will bring Justice. Justice will bring peace. Sharing will save Israel and Palestine. Sharing will save the World.
Marco Agelink
The Netherlands
We hope and pray that Israel and Palestine while utilizing diplomatic channels would come to a permanent solution. That day the world would become secure and serene.
Naeem ur Rehman
Pakistan
Sharing will bring justice. Justice will bring peace. Sharing will save Israel and Palestine. Sharing will save the world.
Marco Agelink
The Netherlands
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
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 Hanar Shaat for the wonderful article you published here on October 18, 2010. You have the vision.
DW Duke
USA
I am praying for peace for ALL Palestinians and Israelis. It has been too long coming. All children, everywhere, deserve a peaceful future.
Linda Bozant
University of Mississippi
SEE GOD in all whom you meet, Show Love and Peace to those you Greet, and Allow Goodness to be the Mission of your Feet, for the Journey of Life is Oh So Sweet. Copyright 10/14/2010 William Snyder
William Snyder
Weston Fla USA
please, don't forget that aged people can revitalise the other. A MISSION.
ivo wolff gersberg
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
Lutherans in the Holy Land and in the US are working tirelessly for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. This is a calling for all Christians to work energetically for peace and reconciliation.
Skip Cornett
Columbus, OH
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Pluralism: a key challenge of the 21st century

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The Elders in Dublin

Guest blog

End the isolation of North Korea

Women protesting during the Arab awakening

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

http://t.co/c9v7Odmp #RioPlus20 summit ends with #warning on corporate #power
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Access to all that reproductive health entails is absolutely necessary for sustainable development as is universal access to at least a high school education, and I'm talking about real...
Jane Roberts
From The Elders' Facebook page
"The #Palestinian UN bid is a peaceful, diplomatic act; one that could help revive the stalled #MiddleEast peace process" Martti Ahtisaari
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#Rioplus20: @UNEP & #CoR sign partnership for sustainable cities and regions. Read more: http://t.co/uCSKKwTB #CoR_Rio
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#Egypt's Muslim 'Sisters' Rise with Conservative Vision http://t.co/ROWz7WUz #WomensRights #GenderEquality #ArabSpring
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Bruce Nixon is offering a free PDF download of his book 'A Better World is Possible' from his website: http://www.brucenixon.com… ...
Wendy Stokes
From The Elders' Facebook page
Troubling trend of #ChildMarriage as “coping mechanism” for #Syrian #refugees in #Jordan-#ChildRights must be protected http://t.co/pxe3AdF3
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@TheElders Muhammad Yunus writes in @scotsmanpaper today on microfinance & poverty #humanrights http://t.co/ApmjDky1
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NYTimes Op-ed from WWF head @jimleape on sustainable development - RT @lassewwf: It's Happening, but Not in #Rioplus20 http://t.co/FgUfAbE2
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Join #UN in celebrating International Youth Day 2012 #IYD2012 by watching LIVE @Google+ Hangouts 8-10 August! http://t.co/fLMjSu88 @UNpYouth
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The powerful story of one man, a former child refugee from Sudan: From running for his life to running for gold http://t.co/1IxFsaa5
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Please make the DR Congo people’s wellbeing part of your wishes for the year 2012!...
RC RevolCongo
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
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RT @ASherinian: Encourage everyone who enjoyed #SIS12 to join global convo re: #futurewewant - help write the speech for #RioPlus20 http://t.co/rswkEbcl
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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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Remembering Martin Luther King: He was assassinated the next day after he made this famous speech: http://www.youtube.com/wa…
Aman K. Endessa
From The Elders' Facebook page
@TheElders #RioPlus20 Gov need to encourage MNC's to include the youth in CSR policies. Investing in growth systems - key to sustainability
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South Sudan: worsening water shortages as refugee camps swell: http://t.co/9caSICaB
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World leaders accused of backsliding on women's rights http://t.co/8K4wg5XI via @guardian @TheElders
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RT @oxfam: Can we live inside the doughnut? Why the world needs planetary & social boundaries http://t.co/kG67dtdJ #GROW #rioplus20
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@TheElders close all offshore havens #WEF #Davos
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.@SenatorDurbin & @SenatorSnowe bill to eliminate #childmarriage passed the Foreign Relations Committee yesterday! http://t.co/pTRYqLjJ
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RT @Jen_the_Intern: Spread the word. Join the challenge. The UN Higher Education Sustainability Initiative @ #Rioplus20 http://t.co/K1Qc2MuC #EplusY
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South Sudan: UN Calls On Govt to Develop Broad Plan to Curb Inter-Communal Violence http://t.co/hZsgy7C5
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#UN Resolution #Srilanka #HRC22 adopted. Check http://t.co/rZhwcwSiVq for study on #impunity
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Islamist #Morsi faces difficulties in handling the economy. Will the military return in #Egypt? #ArabSpring http://t.co/UwevGeQl
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Smallholders are often hailed as part of the solution. Where are they and how do you work with them? We can help you #rioplus20
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RT @UN_Women: #Rioplus20: #Thai women preparing for #naturaldisasters - example of what women in #sustdev can do! http://t.co/ctEk86ra #WomenRio
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support is better than criticism; pessimism will not get us anywhere - http://t.co/RpXReMEx #Rioplus20 #futurewewant
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looking for #sustainability gurus to share their knowledge and tips this month on my blog. Interested in contributing? Let me know!
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We must have the courage to defend our values

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’.