As world leaders gather in Belfast for the G8 summit, what are the challenges facing young people in Northern Ireland today?
The Elders met with a group of young people from Northern Ireland during their visit to Dublin last month, to hear about the legacy of sectarian conflict for them and their communities, from youth unemployment to the lack of political representation.
“This was a hidden issue, only two years ago.”
Mary Robinson discusses The Elders’ campaign to end child marriage as both a moral imperative in its own right, and as a global development and foreign policy priority, at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
“It took us 12 years to write a constitution. Don't underestimate what you have done.” Jimmy Carter
Last week, to conclude their two-day visit to Cairo, the Elders took part in a televised discussion with young Egyptians on the momentous events that have changed their country – and their hopes and expectations for what comes next.
“Every three seconds, another girl becomes a child bride.”
11 October marks the first ever International Day of the Girl Child: a chance to amplify the voice of millions of girls everywhere being married off before the age of 18. Join Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu in celebrating Day of the Girl. Help us end child marriage.
In a video from Half the Sky, a campaign dedicated to the empowerment of girls and women across the world, Desmond Tutu questions the sidelining of women in the name of custom or tradition. If these traditions are man-made, he argues, then they can be changed.
"With their experience, and their profound commitment to building a better world – let us call them global Elders." Nelson Mandela
In July 2007, Nelson Mandela brought together The Elders, independent leaders using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. This video celebrates five years of their work to promote equality for women and girls, amplify the voices of young people, highlight humanitarian crises and support peace-building initiatives around the world.
