"Diplomatic isolation is actually helpful in the North Korean government’s efforts to keep its people ignorant about the outside world."

Korean studies specialist Andrei Lankov examines the rationale behind North Korea's provocative behaviour, arguing that isolating the country will only help to reinforce the dangerous status quo.

“In Syria, the needs are escalating at a very rapid pace and outgrowing our ability to address them.”

Valerie Amos, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, describes how ongoing violence, funding shortfalls and a failure to provide safe access are preventing aid agencies from reaching Syrians in desperate need.

“More than ever, Sudanese refugees need the support of the international community to meet their basic needs and enjoy safe asylum.”

Cosmas Chanda, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan, gives an update on the refugee situation in South Sudan since The Elders' visit last July and the efforts of humanitarian staff to provide shelter, clean water and medical treatment to the thousands of people who had fled their homes.

"There is no sustainable future without the participation of our generation."

Nigerian activist Esther Agbarakwe calls on governments to involve young people in debating the new global development goals agenda.

"Only you, Mr President, can turn things around in the dying Israeli-Palestinian peace process… You are our only – and probably last – hope.”

As the US President arrives in the Middle East for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, former senior Israeli diplomat Alon Liel urges him to rescue the moribund peace process.

“During the decades of civil war, women were never formally invited into the peace talks – but we showed up anyway.”

On International Women’s Day, Hon. Philister Baya Lawiri, Chair of South Sudan’s Civil Service Commission, highlights the missing ingredient needed in the stalled Sudan-South Sudan peace process: the participation of women.

"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 promotion of sustainable development is perhaps the clearest contemporary manifestation of the human quest for freedom and dignity. And it all comes down to hard work and dedication."

After joining the Elders+Youngers intergenerational dialogue this summer to debate the issues surrounding the Rio+20 summit on sustainable development, Pedro Telles reflects on what he learned.

"It’s not a matter of finger-pointing, but of winning hearts and minds first."

Ntenga Moses of Joy for Children Uganda, a member of the global Girls Not Brides partnership, describes how poverty and years of conflict have helped to perpetuate high rates of child marriage – and how he is working closely with communities to change attitudes towards girls.

"How can we change attitudes in communities where child marriage isn’t seen as a problem? 'Who are you to tell us what to do?' they tell us."

Muhammad Aslam of the Peace Foundation blogs about his work to tackle child marriage in rural Pakistan – and why being part of the Girls Not Brides coalition is a source of strength as he faces daily challenges in his efforts to end this harmful practice.