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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

Sharing will bring Justice. Justice will bring peace. Sharing will save Israel and Palestine. Sharing will save the World.
Marco Agelink
The Netherlands
I pray for the little children of Gaza. I know many of them have lost their homes and family members in the recent conflict. I pray that The Elders can help bring about peace to their troubled land.
Peggy Sheridan
N. Ireland
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
We are one humanity upon this planet and sharing in unconditional love and peace unites us all.
Harold W Becker
USA
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
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
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
Overwhelmingly, the people of the Middle East want lives of peace and justice. The framework for resolution of differences is increasingly clear, and it is to be hoped that political leaders will take full advantage of this opportunity.
Jimmy Carter
USA
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
This situation concerns me deeply, and I have contacted President Obama with a link to your statement, urging him to act on it. I pray that this situation can be resolved peacefully.
Jody Tracy
Minneapolis, MN
Peace pacts have never worked throughout history. The formation of a society of peoples (such as the EU) of disparate cultures that had been enemies for centuries (such as the EU) can bring peace.
Nick (Klaus) Veltjens
Melbourne Australia
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
Dear The Elders,we are praying God to protect you all!the coming generation need to share the wisdom you have to maintain peace and humans right under our global village.May God Bless you!!
John Ahaya
KENYA
We are all on the same planet, same species all the divisions are man made. There are no invisible lines in the sand. Live now, not in the past, foundations for a future of harmony, peace, love.
Michelle Goff
London, UK
Forgiveness and Love are difficult when differences are long standing. We offer our support to anyone who can overcome their personal hurts and care for other human beings as themselves.
Jan & John
Calgary Canada
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
South Africa will not be free until Palestine is free. I think this is a Nelson Mandela quote.
Nanima
South Africa
It is time we put aside our differences and reached out to our brothers and sisters in every Nation across the World and worked together for lasting peace.
david holmes
gloucestershire, england
please, don't forget that aged people can revitalise the other. A MISSION.
ivo wolff gersberg
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
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
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
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
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
it´s time to aim for a universal language compulsary for everyone at school to learn beside the native
sture mattsson
åland islands finland
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
I met with a number of Israeli and Palestinian peace groups back in 2005 and since then I have shared their work with thousands of Americans who are largely unaware of peace organizations there.
Joe Parko
Tennessee, USA
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
Dear Elders, Here are my voice of advice in lined with UN Charter for peace and rights. As many peace activist are struggling to see that democracy exist in the Midlle East, these steps will eventual
Dr Safdar Khalifa
Nigeria
All of our human needs are the same. Safety for ourselves and our families, ease and peace. When we see our own humanity in others we are better able to find solutions for peace.
Gill Heriz
UK
even the term 'assail' can have a positive connotation-'to make a resolute start on (a task)'. let's hope the oppressive regimes will begin to assail their people with resolute good-heartedness!
michelle macDonell
Canada
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Syria crisis: "We are not able to keep up"

@TheElders start from the bottom! consider current leaders near failures! and invest in values values values #kids #schools #parents
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NYT, @TheElders is NOT Left-Leaning Human Rights Org. They Stop Wars. You Marginalized Carter's Israel Trip: http://t.co/GRHCqxdc @Semhar
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RT @Ch16org: Options running out for 37,000 #Sudan refugees in Jamam, #SouthSudan http://t.co/E3XnriGL @Oxfam
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Syrian opposition driven into arms of Islamists - interview w/ Peter Harling in @dw_english http://t.co/IxMS9jT8
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.@SenatorDurbin & @SenatorSnowe bill to eliminate #childmarriage passed the Foreign Relations Committee yesterday! http://t.co/pTRYqLjJ
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Palestinians say #ObamaInIsrael visit meaningless without change in Washington policies http://t.co/yuUgvMmRvQ via @sharethis
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Positive development: #CMAG meet today to discuss #srilanka hosting #CHOGM in wake of critical #HRC22 resolution http://t.co/OOaJ3hLAyM
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@TheElders We are celebrating mothers who support other mothers on #IWD http://t.co/ws7aLGsD
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RT @EFludd: Supporting @TheElders for their dialogue happening for #EplusY leading into #Rioplus20. Intergenerational solidarity & dialogue= essential!
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Nathan Brown "Egypt’s Constitution: Islamists Prepare for a Long Political Battle" http://t.co/1lmQLznD
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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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#SriLanka vote - strong message for justice http://t.co/DFR9Rci7
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For South Sudan’s women, the war hasn’t ended via @globalpost - http://t.co/PAzYv93E
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#Rioplus20 disappoints on women's rights: http://t.co/BQVj7YUh via @msmagazine
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1st News: #SriLanka Text Passes 25-13, Japan Abstains, #Qatar & #UAE No, #BanKiMoon Censors #UNlk http://t.co/L2gpnVmm0t
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Dissent Sprouts in Sudan, but It May Not Be Arab Spring http://t.co/5ZVjrR0c #sudanrevolts
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The Dangerous Price Of Ignoring Syria. http://t.co/8PevjvzbV6
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Five ways to meet an anticorruption millenium #development goal #Post2015 #post2015hlp by @anticorruption http://t.co/EKcbKKindu
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Depressing statistics – 'The Children of South Sudan' @jpshazzahttp://t.co/Tov8BV2U
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Sanctions hit humanitarian aid to #Syria http://t.co/Z1qSU027
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@TheElders I believe, education is the most important thing. That must be available for every people everywhere in the world.
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Why does access to information matter in the #post2015 framework? Check out this video from @devinitorg at http://t.co/kMWxDSklh7
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Find details of Uganda Peace Foundation on the Foundation website:http://www.peacefoundation.org.ug.We are developing projects on Environment Protection and Regeneration.Also on the International...
George Hashaka
From The Elders' Facebook page
“The world must know what is happening here, they must perceive how destroying forests and indigenous people destroys the entire world. Because of this we do not want Belo Monte.” http://www.redd-...
Vera F. H. Carvalho
From The Elders' Facebook page
Very good Article: #Gaza Without End http://t.co/HHb6U87f #Israel #US #MiddleEast
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Fantastic discussion between @TheElders and Youngers @estherclimate & @callmemarvin http://t.co/VMPAoQpp #RioPlus20 #EplusY
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@TheElders close all offshore havens #WEF #Davos
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#SouthSudan South Sudan (Republic of): South Sudan discusses strategic responses to disaster m... http://t.co/YWnuQfb5 #crisismanagement
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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’.