Desmond Tutu steps down after six years
Gro Harlem Brundtland becomes Deputy Chair

The Elders celebrate the "compassion, ethical leadership and belief in undying hope" that Desmond Tutu has championed, and look ahead to the growth of the organisation under Kofi Annan's chairmanship.

"Nobody could have taken up the mantle in such an unforgiving context, with as much courage, dedication and humility." Desmond Tutu

The Elders urge the international community to unite to help end the Syrian crisis, following Kofi Annan's announcement that he will not continue his mission as Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis when his mandate expires at the end of August.

In respect of the requirement that Elders are free to speak and act independently, and to allow him to devote his full energies to his critical new assignment, Kofi Annan has decided to recuse himself as a member of The Elders.

The Elders urge international donors to respond more swiftly, generously and creatively to Zimbabwe’s humanitarian crisis.

The Elders warn that more than a million people in Sudan will suffer as a result of the government's decision to expel 13 international aid agencies and call on the international community to unite to address the worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan.

Following the MDC's announcement that it will join a government of national unity, The Elders call on all Zimbabweans to unite to end the terrible suffering in their country, and urge international donors to support this development.

The Elders present the results of their 3-day assessment of Zimbabwe's humanitarian situation and recommend the formation of a truly inclusive government, as well as international donor support, to tackle the crisis.

The Elders cancel their trip to Harare, where they had planned to listen to ordinary Zimbabweans and assess the extent of the country's humanitarian needs, after the government of Zimbabwe refused to cooperate in any way to make the visit possible.

Elders Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and Graça Machel will arrive in Southern Africa on Friday to make a first-hand assessment of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.

Three members of The Elders plan to visit Zimbabwe in late November 2008 to assess the country’s escalating humanitarian crisis.