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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

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
Tolerance and respect are human virtues and peace is a human right. Thanks to the Elders and to my elders for their support and their values. Let us pass it to the younger generations.
Susana Castro
Lisboa, Portugal
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
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
Don't give up, ever. There is more that links us together than divides us. We must all find our common humanity.
Sarah Lewis
United Kingdom
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
please, don't forget that aged people can revitalise the other. A MISSION.
ivo wolff gersberg
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
what human is a human who does not make the world better ?
Almuntaser albalawi
Amman . jordan
Borders are for administrative purposes only. Each granule of sand is the property entrusted to humanity. Humane Society across the border shall break the barrier.
Jayaraman Rajah Iyer
Kodaikanal, India
Love the creator in you and all around you. If that contradicts what you think then change the way you think.
simon blackwood
scotland UK
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
Like the wonderful movie "The Lemon Tree", we all want to live peacefully. Its just a matter of walking in your neighbor's shoes...and letting your neighbor walk in yours.
Dorothy Coakley
San Francisco (CA) Bay Area
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
you must never lie, never prevaricate. you must be aware that there can be no progress when the palestinian condition worsens. you know the current israeli administration and who heads it. please..
jesyl gonzer
philippines
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
Because of greed of mankind,unless humanitarian people who are resourceful and the masses take bold action the Concept of Sustainable Development will not come to fruition.
George Darlington Hashaka
Kampala,Uganda
It is insufficient simply to support 'peace'. We need to set out the choice: either two states (partition) or a single democratic state. There is no third way.
Roger Higginson
London, UK
Peace and Goodwill are always within reach but genuine reconciliation requires some letting go on both sides. I pray this opening of hearts will happen this year.
Peter Watson
Boston US
Freedom for everyone...this is the true sense of the life......
nella
italy
A true and just peace can only benefit all. Each of us were made in the image of God, each one deserving to a life free from fear, humiliation, pain and suffering.
Diana Hasna
Florida
Thank you for being there and speaking out. You give us all hope.
Nick Bell
Switzerland
We are all on the same planet, same species, all the divisions are man made. The invisible 'lines in the sand' are illusions. Live in the now not in the past. Peace, love, forgiveness.
Michelle Goff
UK
The price we pay for destroying peace is too high we cannot afford it anymore.
Purity Mwangi
Kenya
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
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
Perhaps you would consider highlighting the work of the voluntary Transition Town movement, born here in Kinsale 2005, and now active in communities all over the world ?
Alan Clayton
Ireland
I don't know what to say; for I don't understand. Is it for me to understand? What I know is; there is one God. Strive for peace. Hatred, bigotry, killing, and murder are not the things of God.
David J Barnett
Phoenix, Arizona USA
You elders are showing us how to build a better world community. Please keep working as a force for compassionate listening and taking a stand for what's right. Thank you.
Tom Gibbons
Tucson, AZ USA
Why is not there a scientist among The Elders? Someone like Stephen Hawking or Jaque Fresco. Scientists are idealists who could provide important opinions on global issues
Guillermo Borbolla
Mexico
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
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News

The Elders in Dublin

Guest blog

End the isolation of North Korea

Women protesting during the Arab awakening

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Guest blog

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

News

We must have the courage to defend our values

Interesting: Only 5th of the planet's poor live in poor nations: http://t.co/WuQV22cq v @ToilyKurbanov @TheEconomist
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‘Buy a Girl:’ An Unusual Anti Child Marriage Campaign http://t.co/bDGOoG4h #childmarriage
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If you read one article today: Aid Groups Report New Level of Misery Among Displaced #Syrians http://t.co/ZP6yjPgO #Syria
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Rape and sham marriages: the fear of Syria's women refugees - @Channel4News http://t.co/AU5Le2Jk6Y ... #syriacrisis
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Article - Islamists & Democracy: Cautions from Pakistan http://t.co/9QaoMSKtt7 #arabspring #democracy #tunisia #egypt #islam
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"Development matters most to girls and women" says Justine Greening on #DayoftheGirl: http://t.co/wIYwIh2Q #endchildmarriage @DFID_UK
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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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Young people especially from the Global South and the most marginalised groups must be at center of #post2015 http://t.co/8IjEZ0Lbvp #MDGs
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MT @GuardianSustBiz: time 4 biz leaders to move away from short term shareholder gain towards long term #sustainability http://t.co/v3nPwKrp
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#Childmarriage affect #reproductivehealth: girls of 14 & under run high risk of pregnancy complications #IYD2012 http://t.co/VAVfTIoP
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#China set to deepen #NorthKorea ties as #Yalu River bridge rises. @BloombergNews http://t.co/trKWoLGSLU
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Isso sim é impacto. Imagens impressionantes! http://t.co/BxXPjygS via @brumelianebrum #BeloMonteNao
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#Burma: Government Forces Targeting Rohingya Muslims http://t.co/R0PaUC78
hrw
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Depressing statistics – 'The Children of South Sudan' @jpshazzahttp://t.co/Tov8BV2U
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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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@TheElders Global problems should be tackled using local practical solutions.
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Escaping #media corruption after the #ArabSpring in #Egypt: http://t.co/rhZvx1lr
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RT @TheElders: What do you think: how can our leaders achieve #sustainabledevelopment - and what can we do to encourage them? Tweet ideas using #RioPlus20
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RT @ESG_IEG Reading: "A free-thinking UN would spice up sustainable development's bland dish" @guardianeco http://t.co/xDzJHFNK #rioplus20
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Hello Elders - what do you know about The Girl Effect? Similar efforts in the anti child marriage? ...
Carla Octigan
From The Elders' Facebook page
RT @nationalpost: A new UN low? Syria heading for a seat on the United Nation's flagship human rights body http://t.co/O1Q2vDBz
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Israel considers 'toppling' Abbas http://t.co/vUFAAvir - #BBC #MiddleEast
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Martha Burk: Taking the Lead in Politics and Climate Change: An Interview With Mary Robinson http://t.co/TbGhL7IT #rioplus20
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This cant be repeated enough: 'green economy' means monetising, commodifying nature. This is the "consensus" http://t.co/NmgADWX9 #RioPlus20
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@nytimes #Egypt: Many Egyptians Fight on Streets to Restore #Revolution’s Goals. @nytimes: http://t.co/2P8wrCXC | #mideast #arabspring
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RT @CARE: Abera sold everything that was going to be used for the #childmarriage ceremony & invested in his daughter's #education instead #CAREstory
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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’.