“The empowerment of girls holds the key to development and security for families, communities and societies worldwide.”

In an opinion piece published in newspapers around the world for the International Day of the Girl, Desmond Tutu and Ela Bhatt call on the international community to commit to ending child marriage in one generation – letting girls fulfil their potential for generations to come.

“Choices define us and allow us to realise our potential. Child marriage robs girls of this chance.” Desmond Tutu and Graça Machel

Thursday 11 October is the International Day of the Girl. Read more about why child marriage is the focus of the day – and how you can contribute to improving the lives of millions of girls worldwide.

“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.