“You face many challenges, as citizens and as civil society leaders of Sudan and South Sudan, but we have witnessed the yearning for peace and stability that exists in both countries.”
Reflecting on their efforts over the past six years to promote peace in Sudan and South Sudan, The Elders send a message of support to a major meeting of civil society from both countries.
In Ireland for their biannual meeting, the Elders met senior politicians to push for the EU-wide labelling of Israeli settlement goods; heard from young activists in Northern Ireland about their growing political disillusionment; and appointed a new Chair.
In Dublin this week for their twice-yearly meeting, the Elders are taking the opportunity to hear from young leaders about their work promoting peace, human rights and inclusion in Northern Ireland.
The European Union can help revitalise the peace process, say Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson in Dublin
Following meetings with Irish leaders, European diplomats and civil society organisations, The Elders urge the EU to help safeguard the two-state solution by introducing labelling guidelines for Israeli settlement goods.
“When the first demonstration happened, I thought: how can they be Jewish?”
In East Jerusalem, Israelis and Palestinians have joined forces to protest settlement expansion into Palestinian neighbourhoods. Six months after The Elders last visited the region, a new documentary tells the story of this shared struggle.
“To be successful in eradicating child marriage by 2030, there is no village, no township, no corner of this great continent that should not hear the message that child marriage can end.”
Following a meeting with Girls Not Brides member organisations from across Africa last year, Graça Machel urges African civil society to unite in their efforts to end child marriage.
"Since the first sparks of the revolution, women have defied national stereotypes."
Emad Karim, a young Egyptian who took part in a debate with the Elders during their visit to Cairo in October 2012, blogs about the challenges facing women in Egypt's patriarchal society, arguing that men and boys should be actively involved in the campaign for equality.
"The more we grow accustomed to voicing our opinions online, the more we resist being silenced."
In a blog for Skoll World Forum on Human Rights Day 2012, Mary Robinson argues that we must protect the internet as a space where fundamental freedoms prevail.
“I call on men and boys everywhere to take a stand against the mistreatment of girls and women. It is by standing up for the rights of girls and women that we truly measure up as men.”
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Desmond Tutu argues that child marriage is a form of violence. Writing for the Skoll World Forum and CNN, he urges men and boys to challenge harmful traditions and protect the rights of girls and women.
