"With a lot of help and guidance from our Chair, we began to see that as Elders together we could do so much more.” Mary Robinson
Desmond Tutu was instrumental in shaping The Elders since its formation in 2007. He has now stepped down as Chair.
View his biography to find out more about him and his work with The Elders.
Building peace in Northern Ireland
G8 leaders are in Belfast this week, one month after The Elders met young people from Northern Ireland to hear about the challenges their communities face.
Read Fíachra’s blog on going beyond sectarian politics, Helen’s blog on the need for a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland, and watch the video of the Elders' meeting with the young people.
Can sustainable development be fair?
A high-level UN report emphasises the importance of sustainable development beyond 2015. Chinese climate campaigner Marvin Nala examines the report's recommendations and looks at the big questions that still remain.
During The Elders' biannual meeting in Ireland, Desmond Tutu announced he was stepping down as Chair after "six wonderful years". The group appointed Kofi Annan as his successor.
Find out more about Kofi Annan and our new Deputy Chair, Gro Harlem Brundtland
North Korea: engagement or sanctions?
Andrei Lankov, a Korean studies specialist, argues that building relations with North Korea is the only way to break the country’s cycle of brinkmanship.
As world leaders gather in Belfast for the G8 summit, what are the challenges facing young people in Northern Ireland today?
The Elders met with a group of young people from Northern Ireland during their visit to Dublin last month, to hear about the legacy of sectarian conflict for them and their communities, from youth unemployment to the lack of political representation.
May 2013 newsletter:
Kofi Annan
"Archbishop Tutu was instrumental in bringing The Elders together in 2007. Since then he has led our group with a firm hand, irrepressible humour and boundless optimism, even when dealing with the most challenging subjects."
Visit our newsletter archive
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
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Have a question? Visit our new FAQ page
“This was a hidden issue, only two years ago.”
Mary Robinson discusses The Elders’ campaign to end child marriage as both a moral imperative in its own right, and as a global development and foreign policy priority, at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
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.
Former President of Finland; Nobel Peace Laureate and expert in international peace mediation, diplomacy and post-conflict state building.
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.
Former Algerian freedom fighter, Foreign Minister, conflict mediator and UN diplomat; an expert in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.
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.
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.
Former President of the United States, Nobel Peace Laureate and veteran peace negotiator; dedicated to advancing peace, democracy and health worldwide.
International advocate for women’s and children's rights; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique.
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.
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’.
