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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

Sustainable world: just, sufficient, honest, harmonious.
Marie Lloyd
Kingston, ON, Canada
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
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
please, don't forget that aged people can revitalise the other. A MISSION.
ivo wolff gersberg
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
If the U.S.A. would begin a policy of Loving and Giving vs. Fighting and Taking, we will see Peace Globally to include the Middle East.
Craig Davies Metteauer
Hawaii
To tackle&bring about solutions for the greater good,we need youth councils that are mentored by the Elders to do their part in regions around the world.No one person can accomplish anything alone.
Jefferson Lim
Brunei Darussalam
Our planet needs to be free from the pursuit of selfish gain. I am an earthling & believe our Planet should be Under the rule of no man or woman. All animals deserve to be Free, as nature intended.
Christian Boshell
Dublin
The U.S. should not wait two years. It should recognize Palestine de facto NOW.
Morton Nadler
Blacksburg VA USA
Praying, working, donating and always always hoping for peace in a region I love and respect. Please don't give up. I'm pulling for you all.
Laura Diviney
North Carolina, USA
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
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
The Elders is the most important group I believe has ever been formed. It is a reminder that the world must listen to wisdom if humanity is to heal its wounds and embrace a positive future.
Ben Erwin
New York, NY
Thank you Archbishop Desmond Tutu for your support of Gay Rights across the globe. Equality and Equity for all!
Emelia Music
London
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
Our species as a whole seems to be lacking a common purpose for focus. I sincerely hope we can get past that 0.1% difference between us all to realize how important that 99.9% commonality to be.
Michael Singh
Jersey City, NJ - USA
it´s time to aim for a universal language compulsary for everyone at school to learn beside the native
sture mattsson
åland islands finland
What unites us in being human is much greater than that which divides us. Let unity triumph in peace.
Alia
Austin, TX
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
Genuine peace should be the primary goal of all nations. Regarding Israel and the Palestinians, the goal should be the same as long as both have security and complete sovereignty.
August Woerner
Westerly, RI
PEACE in the world starts in my heart. I promise to have happier thoughts and to love myself more each day. Thus, I change the outside by changing inside.
luis
mexico
As an American Jew I opposed the right of the Apartheid regime in South Africa to exist, just as I oppose the right of the Apartheid regime in Israel to exist. Racism has no right to exist.
Mark E. Smith
San Diego USA
Lutherans in the Holy Land and in the US are working tirelessly for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. This is a calling for all Christians to work energetically for peace and reconciliation.
Skip Cornett
Columbus, OH
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
Peace comes when the separate communities work together for the common good. In the case of Israel/palestine, the focus should be on water. http://bit.ly/95zTCa
Richard Lawson
Somerset, UK
The conflict in the Middle East has been going on for far to long; and far too many lives ruined or lost; For God's sake it must stop now.
Themba P V Mndaweni
South Afraica
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
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 making is too important to be left to politicians alone. It needs the active, sustained involvement of all sectors of society - civil society, business, young people, women's groups - supported by all international friends of peace and justice.
Mary Robinson
Ireland
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
we are all attached atomically to the universe- we are bonded biologically to all life- we are connected chemically to this planet- we should be astounded,awed, humbled and understand we are tenants
michael
usa
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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

Count up to 3. By then, another young girl has been forced into marriage somewhere in the world. http://t.co/OEELVSij #childmarriage
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RT @stephenfry: Please RT: UNITE FOR SYRIA: STOP ONE YEAR OF BLOODSHED http://t.co/0itB2aPF #SyriaMarch15
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UN having tough time delivering aid in Syria coz only has 20% of $ it needs. #syriacrisis BRICS should step up http://t.co/decSsxCQAc
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‏RT @GGCA_gender: What could empower women farmers? http://t.co/O1TgToBC #GCARD2 #Ag4Dev @agricultureday @CGIAR
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Check out this cool event w/ #riowomen. YOU'RE INVITED! http://t.co/Ol7HotDm @EOTOWorld @AJStream @DesmondTutuPF #EplusY #rioplus20
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@TheElders it all starts with education. No knowledge = no change. Get kids into school & keep them there until they graduate from Uni!
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@TheElders Perhaps you know someone who has something2say about #LGBT prejudices? Video contest w/ $4,000 prizes http://t.co/oH8iVI2w
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@TheElders We need to build up natural capital; the poor depend on it for their livelihood. Environmental sustainability is key #WEF #Davos
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RT @WHO: Ensuring universal health coverage is essential to reduce poverty, build healthy societies http://t.co/pAwiG8qw #Rioplus20 #futurewewant
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Article - Islamists & Democracy: Cautions from Pakistan http://t.co/9QaoMSKtt7 #arabspring #democracy #tunisia #egypt #islam
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RT @melindagates: Today is the first #DayoftheGirl, and it's about time. We see more urgent reasons every day. Now, anyone can help: http://t.co/dcBaCxcr
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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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Sanctions hit humanitarian aid to #Syria http://t.co/Z1qSU027
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Syria's president appeals to BRICS for help - http://t.co/SYoZfXvXRS: Aljazeera.comSyria's president app... http://t.co/GHQWEHsWuN #Syria
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#Sustainability Pays:How 2 present case 2 the #board.Join me at Responsible Business Summit @Ethical_Corp #csr #green http://t.co/ohG048z6
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@TheElders Muhammad Yunus writes in @scotsmanpaper today on microfinance & poverty #humanrights http://t.co/ApmjDky1
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Launched by the Elders in 2008, the Every Human Has Rights campaign has gone far. Read more about it.....
Priyanka Mogul
From The Elders' Facebook page
I'm passionate about @GirlsNotBrides. I've met several girls <16 yrs, married + preg before finishing school in India http://t.co/v8I5Tvtk
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RT @CARE: Share your voice to let the world know that #childmarriage must come to an end: http://t.co/RZLuwKYh
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The opening ceremony of the Brazilian days of the #YouthBlast is amazing! If in Rio, join us in SulAmerica venue #YBRio http://t.co/u3ROID8t
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Sustainable development is the only way forward. The current global financial chaos confirms the need for sustainable thinking at every level. Grethe...
Grethe Boe-Waal
From The Elders' Facebook page
No food=no future. Demand that Washington commits to sustainable farming at #EarthSummit, sign the petition! http://t.co/3a9VLMMP #Rioplus20
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#MSF: South Sudan Refugee Camp Under Water; Alarming Mortality Rates Indicate Worsening Crisis http://t.co/JaRsQfW6
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RT @unausa: Curious about what Farmers are calling for at #Rioplus20? Find out more: #Futurewewant" target="_blank">http://t.co/dCsJLFpM#Futu… via @UN_Rioplus20
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RT @Jen_the_Intern: Spread the word. Join the challenge. The UN Higher Education Sustainability Initiative @ #Rioplus20 http://t.co/K1Qc2MuC #EplusY
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This wks Journal Updater posted. #sustainabledevelopment #IISD http://t.co/ka9dZNIV
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Remembering Martin Luther King: He was assassinated the next day after he made this famous speech: http://www.youtube.com/wa…
Aman K. Endessa
From The Elders' Facebook page
@TheElders - event piloting idea of protecting future peoples today - tonight 6pm - everyone welcome! http://t.co/XutgvRuK
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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’.