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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

Peace is personal, first of all. When we have peace in our hearts and within our families we can do more to create a peaceful world.
Eve Sullivan
USA
Freedom for everyone...this is the true sense of the life......
nella
italy
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
Only when a people feel safe, empowered, respected and sustainable will peace among those peoples become real.
James Johnson
USA
I would like to commend Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for stating his viewpoint which in fact is a viewpoint that has been long ignored by the international community.
Arafath
Malaysia
Thanks for being open and sharing what you are doing. It means a lot to global citizens to see leaders taking a public stand and involving us in their work.
Jason Mogus
Vancouver, BC
African must have to EMULATE H. E. Nelson Mandela to move the continent forward! CONGRATULATION our hero. The Angels of Jehovah shall always be with you. Amen
David Atieku
Ghana
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
I know peace will come - and it will be brought about by mums and dads who are brave enough to create a new future for their children by letting go of the past. I applaud you and send my love.
Veronica Arnold
Australia
Thank you, Elders, for taking a stand when governments will not & cannot. Your initiatives will restore a sense of peace to our global village. absit omen - may what is threatened not become fact.
michelle macDonell
Canada
An alternative that could end poverty, war, pollution and most crime is a resource based economy. Google It.
Harald
Sweden
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
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
The land has been bequeathed to all of Abraham's children - both from Isaac and Ishmael. It is my prayer that the family reunite as did the brothers when they buried their father.
Julianne Michaels
Cross Village, Michigan USA
Sustainable world: just, sufficient, honest, harmonious.
Marie Lloyd
Kingston, ON, Canada
There should never be any untoucahbles, or unbelievers anywhere. Just accepting each other for who we are,. Children of the Creator
Michael Anderson
Fort Collins, Colorado USA
Albert Schweitzer reminded us that we have become the brothers and sisters of all who suffer. Imagine the power behind our collective voices and action!
Johann Malan
Canada
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
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
Violence and rhetoric is blindly directed to an opposing zone. Retaliation seems to reap more intense and cheaper cognitive rewards than investing effort in addressing the systemic sources of conflict.
Mo98a
Rīga
An open apology to the Palestinians and acknowledgment of the mistakes the western world has made in the past, will show respect to all those who suffer, and this will give them hope and strength.
Gerardus Smeets
Germany
Let peace live in every home and heart.
Taofeek Ayanwale Adeola
Lagos, Nigeria.
‘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
I was honoured to participate in the lunch yesterday and inspired by the message of hope and encouragement you bring. May G-d bless you and all of us with success in the mission of peace-making.
Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann
Jerusalem
The price we pay for destroying peace is too high we cannot afford it anymore.
Purity Mwangi
Kenya
We will look back and say, "Remember when the middle east was fraught with violence and peace seemed impossible? Hard to imagine that now…"
Penina S. Finger
USA
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
Nothing can beat wisdom - and the elders represent wisdom.
Lilian Ong'ayo
England - UK
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.
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
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Syria crisis: "We are not able to keep up"

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We must have the courage to defend our values

RT @EFludd: Supporting @TheElders for their dialogue happening for #EplusY leading into #Rioplus20. Intergenerational solidarity & dialogue= essential!
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Sanctions hit humanitarian aid to #Syria http://t.co/Z1qSU027
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I want to see us value the true social, economic & environmental costs of consumption. RT @TheElders http://t.co/vqdFXM9L #EplusY #Rioplus20
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Rio+20: Let's prioritise social #sustainability http://t.co/xy8YDt0Z v
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@TheElders start from the bottom! consider current leaders near failures! and invest in values values values #kids #schools #parents
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Investors play a crucial role in sustainable palm oil http://t.co/Slz6dDRq #sustainability
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RT @think_or_swim: Mary Robinson urges young people to ‘get angry’ about global warming, using the Occupy model http://t.co/AdhEaF8K #mrfcj #climate
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An insightful article about #Syria by @gus_c13 from @FPA_ORG http://t.co/7nma58imQf #SyriaCrisis
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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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Independence day: South Sudan - one year later: http://t.co/lMUanubc #aid #globaldev
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@TheElders VOTE ONLY FOR THE POLITICIANS THAT SUPPORT A SUSTAINABLE WORLD
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Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the new patron of the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa
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RT @BBCr4today: After 3 weeks undercover in #Syria, Paul Wood says it is “a hair’s breadth” from all-out sectarian civil war. Listen: http://t.co/kMzWmXt3
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RT @UN: See vital stats & details of efforts to make biggest-ever UN conference #Rioplus20 sustainable: http://t.co/7WyssCBq#futurewewant
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Violence rages in Sudan-South Sudan conflict http://t.co/Ll1Cce5Q via @BostonUpdate
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Strong @oxfamgb graphic shows number of people fleeing the conflict in #Syria since Jan 2012 #SyriaCrisis http://t.co/PlMvKbevrb
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#Ag technology increases crop yields and reduces environmental footprint http://t.co/3di5Rknl From IFPRI side event at #RioPlus20
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RT @EarthSummit2012: Will your country lead at #Rioplus20? Find out here http://t.co/xgP7VMvw
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After listening to women, we need both top-down and bottom-up approaches to development -Mary Robinson of @TheElders at #Rioplus20 #riowomen
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Rio+20 "We must build learning societies around the concept of sustainable development" http://t.co/YSGo9mfc #rioplus20 #GlobalHE
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We are the generation to take it all back. It might not be pretty but Mr Mandela showed us it can be cool. Makubenjalo...
Thando Soga
From The Elders' Facebook page
@TheElders Education x 3. Educate the kids (generational), educate the abusers (not acceptable), educate the abused (support and safety).
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Great new petition on @avaaz. Call on #BRICS to show solidarity for #SyriaCrisis at Summit. Sign up here: http://t.co/cd3Ho6vE5N
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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
The Dangerous Price Of Ignoring Syria. http://t.co/8PevjvzbV6
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Democracy a Double-Edged Sword for Women http://t.co/UYY3FCnCLk #feminism #arabspring #egypt #women @ghazalairshad
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South #Sudan Yet to Embark on Road to Civil Liberties http://t.co/eRMCnzn5 by @RSF_RWB #Africa
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@YosriFouda What constitutes a successful democratic transition? Can #Egypt truly shed its authoritarian past? #AskTheElders
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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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New arrivals in South Sudan tell of worst war crimes since Darfur http://t.co/Q2zaBjNt via @Independent
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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’.