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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

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
There can be no greater purpose in life than to encourage and promote peace among warring factions. I've helped with elections in the ME and know the suffering among all peoples there. Bless you.
Gladys Teske
Sherwood Park AB Canada
Peace is an activity, not a place or an end--it's an ongoing process of connection and conversation and exploration. And I can think of no better work to be engaged in. Thank you, each, so, so much.
Siona
USA
The U.S. should not wait two years. It should recognize Palestine de facto NOW.
Morton Nadler
Blacksburg VA USA
The Elders is a small step for humanity to follow, and to understand that by peace only we can all live together happily ever after.
Abdullah Al Fadhli
aden, yemen
I believe in the power of social and political debate in order to solve conflicts in a peaceful way. People are the backbone of this world, hurting them touches the world as a whole.
Wouter De Tavernier
Belgium
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
I'm so grateful for The Elders. You bring together the wisdom of some of the greatest leaders and thinkers of our time to guide people towards peace and temperance.
Jenifer Vogt
Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Peace is the absence of conflicts, chaos, violence, and destruction. Peace is the presence of caring, love, kindness, mindfulness, goodwill, harmony, collaboration, unity, and compassion.
Vu Nguyen
USA
I remember as a teenager (living in Derry, N.Ireland at the height of the troubles) an adult saying "I doubt I'll see peace here in my lifetime". They did! Have faith in the desire for peace.
Sinead
Ireland
Peace can be attain if you & I can live beyond the selfish intention of our nature without skin colour, religion or class segregation not control by desire for world power and protect the environment
Aanu' Rotimi
Nigeria
If the majority of people want peace, then it follows that, just as is being done by A Better Community For All, there is potential to explore cultural unity no matter what the conflict.
Burton Danet, Ph.D.
Manhattan Beach CA USA
Blessings and Aloha, thank you Elders for making a journey for World Peace. My prayer is for the children and the Earth to be cared for - everywhere. When we put our hearts in charge it will happen.
Leslie Larsen
Kaua'i, Hawai'i
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
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
I cannot express it any better than Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: "Peace is not simply the absence of violence; it is the cultivation of understanding, insight and compassion combined with action."
Andrew Smith
England
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
"Two places to feed the world is spirit and family. Both need to be fed with more than just food!" We encourage hope and creativity to deepen and strengthen our hearts in compassion and connections!"
Caterina Alberti
Whistler BC 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
May the Almighty, bless you and may He guide you so that you may see beyond the lies and deception of the wrong doers.
Yahya Docrat
South Africa
There is no more important nor more attainable issue than that of World Peace. Only through peace can man work together to overcome all other challenges to the survival of mankind on Earth.
Dennis Robinson
USA
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
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
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
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
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
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
I have researched concentration camp systems (from 1933) using own funds. Millions being spent on Holocaust studies each year need to also consider contemporary situation in Palestine, and humanity.
Dr Joanne McNally
Berlin /Grimsby
There cannot be peace without dignity. I live in the US, which holds the key to peace, and yet does all to maintain an unlawful occupation. Let's hope our new administration will help turning the tide
Hernan
USA
Peace depends not on what we are taught from the outside, but from what we know on the inside. Everyone is born with an innate sense to be at peace. We can return to that.
Michelle Enfield
USA
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Sustainable Living is about Human Rights, including Sexual and Reproductive rights as well as access to information cc @popact #sthlm40
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We Srilankans hope some real peace in our country!!!! ...
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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’.