“A day to realise the noblest dream there is: peace; an end to violence everywhere, within our homes, on our streets and between our societies, for the safety and dignity of all.” Desmond Tutu

This year, to mark the International Day of Peace, The Elders have joined other organisations in a Global Truce coalition. They urge the parties to the conflicts in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, Sudan, to implement a humanitarian truce in order to allow vital aid to reach those affected by the violence.

In July, the Elders travelled to South Sudan and witnessed first-hand the humanitarian crisis taking place in the region. They welcome the generosity of the Omidyar family in donating funds towards improving the refugee situation in South Sudan, as well as the recent move by governments and international organisations to increase humanitarian aid to the region.

“I believe the trend towards democracy in Egypt is inevitable.” Jimmy Carter

Gro Harlem Brundtland and Jimmy Carter both recently travelled to Egypt to speak at the American University in Cairo about the country’s ongoing transition to a free, democratic and peaceful society.

“As we grow older, we become more tolerant. When we are young, we divide the world between those who are wrong and those who are right, and we are more impatient.” Desmond Tutu

In a feature about The Elders, originally published in French in M, Le Monde's weekend magazine, Guillemette Faure analyses the role played by former heads of state in the global arena.

“It is critical to reach an agreement with Syrian authorities on securing humanitarian access inside Syria and to ensure that funds are available to respond to the needs on the ground.”

Five members of The Elders have joined leading humanitarian organisations to highlight the plight of the more than 1.5 million displaced people inside Syria, who have been driven from their homes by conflict.

“We know of the talent that Lakhdar can bring to this peace mission, and hope that all of those in a position to help end this deadly conflict will speak and work with him.” Desmond Tutu

The Elders congratulate Lakhdar Brahimi on his appointment as peace envoy for Syria and wish him success in this crucial role.

Final report – August 2012

In the spring of 2012, The Elders and four young activists began an inter-generational debate about the change needed to secure a sustainable future for our planet, in the run-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). This report discusses the thinking behind the initiative, what it was able to achieve and the momentum it generated to further promote sustainable development.

“An estimated one in three girls in the developing world is married before the age of 18.”

As US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded her 11-day visit to Africa, she met Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel at their home in South Africa. After discussing The Elders' work to tackle child marriage, Secretary Clinton affirmed her commitment to ending this harmful traditional practice.

“My challenge today is to speak to you, South Africans, as your friend. A true friend tells you not only what you want to hear but also what you need to hear.”

Mary Robinson delivered the Tenth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Cape Town yesterday. While speaking frankly about the challenges South Africa faces, from crime and corruption to extremes of wealth and poverty, she expresses her faith that this young democracy has the ability to address its problems and continue its process of transformation that has so inspired the wider world.

"With or without legislation, we urge the Obama administration to make eliminating child marriage a foreign policy goal."

Writing in the Washington Post, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu say we are not doing enough to fulfil our responsibility to protect young people from early marriage, and call on the United States government to make tackling child marriage a central focus of its international development agenda.