News & Insight | The Elders

Clear all Filters 

Clear all Filters 

SHARE:

   

Nuclear weapons are still the greatest threat to world peace. NATO must take action now to protect humanity

The risk of a nuclear war is higher than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Mary Robinson warns leaders meeting at NATO's London Summit in London to seize the opportunity to prevent a new arms race. Published in The Independent.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

Attacks on multilateral system threaten global peace and security

The Elders' statement on the unprecedented attack on multilateralism

Ethical Leadership

Escazú Agreement: Climate action and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Elders are calling for the early ratification of the Escazú Agreement.

Access to Justice, Climate Change

Violence against women is a global injustice

Access to justice is crucial in the fight to end violence against women.

Access to Justice

The Elders condemn US shift on Israeli settlements as attack on international law

The Elders today strongly condemned the policy shift announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the legality of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories as injurious to peace and an attack on the broader system and values of international law

Japan must act now to regain its status of global climate leader

Japan was once a pioneer of climate leadership. Now, Mary Robinson and CEO of the ECF, Laurence Tubiana urge the country to embrace this role again by leading the technological breakthrough on clean energy systems of the future.

German leadership is critical to ending EIB support for fossil fuels

German leadership is critical to ending EIB support for fossil fuels

Climate Change, Ethical Leadership

Is President Trump abandoning America’s future by quitting the Paris climate accord?

Ban Ki-moon, Deputy Chair of The Elders and Patrick Verkooijen, Chief Executive of the Global Center on Adaptation, call on US President Donald Trump to act on the climate emergency. Published in the New York Times.

Climate Change, Ethical Leadership

One Young World 2019: A dialogue between generations

Mary Robinson, Gro Brundtland and Lakhdar Brahimi attended the 10th One Young World Summit in London in October 2019. Championing intergenerational dialogue, The Elders enjoyed opportunities to speak to and learn from the young leaders attending.

Moderation is key to working our differences out with respect

Rejecting the extreme Right and the extreme Left as representations of authoritarianism and populism, Juan Manuel Santos urges rising generations to have the collective courage to champion moderation and inclusivity in approaching global challenges.

Ethical Leadership

The Elders in conversation with Jon Snow

Speaking to Jon Snow at One Young World's Mary Robinson and Gro Harlem Brundtland discusses the need for multilateralism to tackle global challenges.

Ethical Leadership

The world needs Latin American leadership on the climate crisis

Warning that without urgent and radical action, we will not bequeath a liveable planet to future generations, Juan Manuel Santos calls for inclusive leadership to tackle the climate crisis.

"We are made of the forest" - Defending the Amazon

Movimento Ipereğ Ayũ is a Munduruku resistance movement of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and one of The Elders' Sparks of Hope. Kabaiwun Munduruku is a Munduruku leader, she shares why she and other women have formed part of this movement.

Access to Justice, Climate Change

Work together to build peace, fight injustice and shape a better world

Addressing young leaders at One Young World, Gro Harlem Brundtland defends the concept of global citizenship and calls for collaboration to tackle global challenges.

Climate Change, Ethical Leadership, Refugees & Migration

The Elders call for open access to Kashmir to assess humanitarian and rights situation

The Elders today expressed grave concern at the recent killings by militants and security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir and urged both India and Pakistan to act with restraint and responsibility to defuse tensions.

Together, we can shape a better future for us all

At a time of populism & isolationism, when polarised politics & self-interest have the upper hand, The Elders believe in an alternative approach.

Ethical Leadership

The Elders at One Young World

This year the One Young World Summit will welcome The Elders to London to celebrate its 10th anniversary summit.

Climate Change, Conflict, Ethical Leadership, UHC

Nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to our collective future

Speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Annual Assembly in Belgrade, Lakhdar Brahimi calls for greater mobilisation against the nuclear threat that echoes the urgency of climate change protesters.

Ethical Leadership

Ban Ki-moon: businesses can lead on refugee integration where leaders fall short

Drawing on his own experiences as a refugee in the Korean War, Ban Ki-moon calls on businesses to combat the xenophobic narrative against refugees. Published in The Independent.

Refugees & Migration

Leadership is crucial in this climate crisis - Mary Robinson

"The climate crisis is a battle for our lives and, currently, we are losing." Mary Robinson speaks at the TCFD Summit in Tokyo, Japan.

Climate Change, Ethical Leadership

Listening to and learning from girls

For International Day of the Girl Child, Swatee Deepak, Director of With and For Girls, discusses how to provide meaningful support

Access to Justice

For South Africa, climate adaptation and economic growth can go hand in hand

The idea that there is a “choice” between economic growth and tackling climate change is absurd and self-defeating: Ricardo Lagos considers the many-sided challenges of economic growth in South Africa.

Hopes raised at UNGA but still much more to do

From universal health coverage, to the climate emergency; the refugee crisis, to access to justice, The Elders’ voice was prominent at the 74th UN General Assembly.

Access to Justice, Climate Change, UHC

The Elders urge Colombia to defend peace agreement against FARC dissidents

The Elders today called on Colombian President Iván Duque and all political leaders in the country to take all necessary measures to defend and affirm the country’s historic peace agreement.

The lack of concern and absence of political will risks nuclear catastrophe

Mary Robinson highlights failures around non-proliferation consensus building which has allowed for the termination of several nuclear agreements

Ethical Leadership

A nuclear weapons-free world is possible with step-by-step disarmament

Gro Harlem Brundtland argues that nuclear disarmament is most likely to be achieved through an incremental process which can secure buy-in from all governments.

Ethical Leadership

World leaders risk climate catastrophe with warm words and no action

As the UN Climate Summit concluded, The Elders appealed to world leaders to act on the outrage of millions of strikers around the world and upscale commitments to end fossil fuel use.

Strengthen global health security by investing in Universal Health Coverage

Our networked world means that we are only as strong as our weakest link. Gro Harlem Brundtland warns leaders to ensure resilience to epidemics by investing in health systems that are capable of meeting daily challenges.

Champion Universal Health Coverage to leave nobody behind

Speaking at the United Nations in New York, Gro Harlem Brundtland challenges world leaders to deliver Universal Health Coverage through publicly-financed primary healthcare-led reforms.

Europe's refugee policy is test of its true 'way of life'

Gro Harlem Brundtland and Mary Robinson call on EU leaders to show more solidarity to refugees and share responsibility for resettlement more equitably among member states. Published in the EU Observer.

Refugees & Migration

The Elders stand in solidarity with young people calling for critical climate action

Ahead of the Climate Summit on 23 September 2019, The Elders call on world leaders to take the radical and decisive action needed to curb global emissions, end reliance on fossil fuels and to keep global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

What must States do to deliver justice for all?

Launching the Justice For All Report at the 8th Asia Pro Bono Conference in Nepal, Hina Jilani outlines three key actions required to bridge the justice gap.

Access to Justice

Graça Machel: Why Africa must move from fossil fuels to a clean energy revolution

Writing in TIME, Graca Machel asserts that Africa can be the launchpad for a green-energy revolution, but only if governments are more assertive in pushing for clean energy and climate action.

True democracy implies solidarity with those to whom it is denied

Graça Machel calls on all sections of African society to assert the power of collective action in supporting democratic values and peaceful transitions across the continent.

Ethical Leadership, Refugees & Migration

The Elders call on Zimbabwe’s leaders to place citizens’ needs over party interests

The Elders call on Zimbabwe’s political leaders and all figures in authority to commit to a truly inclusive national dialogue and prioritise the economic and social needs of ordinary citizens over party politics, factionalism and self-interest.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

The Elders promote #HealthForAll in South Africa

Gro Harlem Brundtland, Graça Machel and Ricardo Lagos visited South Africa from 2-3 September for discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa, ministers, parliamentarians and health workers to learn more about the country’s NHI reforms.

Universal health coverage is affordable, even in tough times

Countering assertions that South Africa's health reforms are unaffordable amidst economic challenges, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Ricardo Lagos argue that investment in health represents an effective investment in the economy as a whole.

The Elders back NHI health reforms in South Africa to build social solidarity

The Elders expressed support for the National Health Insurance (NHI) reforms proposed by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, and urged all stakeholders to act with ambition and urgency to improve publicly-funded healthcare & build social solidarity.

Public financing could transform the realities of healthcare in South Africa

Gro Harlem Brundtland explains why South Africa's planned National Health Insurance Bill have the potential to turn the country into a leader on UHC in Africa, during The Elders' delegation to the country.

How can we support communities trying to protect their land and natural resources?

Increased and smarter financing of access to justice is urgently needed to empower communities to protect their lands, writes Sam Szoke-Burke and Kaitlin Y. Cordes of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment.

Access to Justice

Media Advisory: The Elders to visit South Africa to promote Universal Health Coverage

The Elders will visit South Africa from 2-3 September to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The climate and human cost of intensive farming

This month, the IPCC released a new report highlighting the serious choices that will need to be made about how humans interact with the land systems that provide our societies with the food and water we need to survive.

Climate Change, UHC

Femicide is a crime against all humanity

Ricardo Lagos laments the normalisation of violence against women and girls in Latin America and calls for leadership and investment to end this shameful reality. First published in El Pais in English and Spanish.

Access to Justice

Dialogue must be routine, not reward, in the fight against conflict

As the new chair of the UN Security Council takes the seat, The Elders’ Head of Programmes, Jane Kinninmont, reflects on the need for states to institutionalise dialogue to avoid conflict.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

#JusticeForAll: Elders' call for greater commitments

More than 5 billion people do not have meaningful access to justice. This should shame us all. The Elders are calling on all leaders to make more ambitious commitments to achieve Justice For All at the High Level Political Forum in New York.

Access to Justice

The Elders warn of escalating nuclear tensions following termination of INF Treaty

The Elders' statement on the imminent termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the United States and Russia.

Ethical Leadership

Delivering justice for all in South Africa: the power of paralegals

Dr Winnie Martins of the Centre for Community Justice and Development highlights the crucial role played by community paralegals in responding to day-to-day justice problems.

Access to Justice

A moment to demand real ambition from leaders to achieve the SDGs

Mary Robinson addressed the opening of the ministerial segment of the High Level Political Forum at the UN in New York

Access to Justice, Climate Change, Ethical Leadership

The indispensable need for international cooperation in combating climate change

One of the main topics of discussion at the G20 summit, where 20 countries and territories gathered in Osaka, on the 28th and 29th of June, was that of the environment and energy. Ernesto Zedillo expressed his hopes for Japan's transition.

The Elders discuss multilateralism and conflict prevention at the Council on Foreign Relations

Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined Council of Foreign Relations President Richard Haass in New York to discuss the vital role of a well-functioning multilateral system.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

The Elders call for end to Gulf brinkmanship, urge Iran to continue to abide by JCPOA

The Elders call on all states to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could further inflame tensions in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East.

To prevent conflict, states must deliver access to justice

Noting the transformative role played by access to justice in securing peaceful, stable and legitimate states, Mary Robinson calls for innovation, increased financing & improved collaboration to build inclusive, people-centred justice systems.

Access to Justice

The Elders' statement on UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia

The Elders welcome today’s ruling that UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen have been unlawful. The UK must now stop supplying arms that can be used in violation of international humanitarian law.

Fossil fuel and finance CEOs take first steps to climate action at Vatican summit

On 13-14 June, Mary Robinson joined the second Vatican Energy Transition Dialogue convened by Pope Francis to demand bold and urgent climate action from leaders of the world’s fossil fuel and investment companies.

Together #WithRefugees: Elders visit Gambela, Ethiopia

Earlier this year, The Elders travelled to the west of Ethiopia to meet and express solidarity with refugees. To mark World Refugee Day, we look at some of the challenges faced by those living in Nguenyyiel, the biggest camp in Gambela.

Refugees & Migration

The UNSC must be bold and assert its collective voice

Addressing a UN Security Council session on the maintenance of international peace and security, Ban Ki-moon urges Council Members to cooperate and speak with a strong common voice for UNSC decisions to have a decisive impact.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

The UNSC must work together to deliver its mandate

Addressing a UN Security Council session on conflict prevention and mediation, Mary Robinson implores Council Members to work together to deliver on its commitments outlined in the UN Charter.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

Industry must commit to halt all future fossil fuel extraction

Mary Robinson attended a meeting convened by Pope Francis in the Vatican on 13-14 June on “The Energy Transition and Care for our Common Home”, attended by CEOs of leading oil and gas companies, and financial investment funds.

Securing a just transition to a low carbon economy

Ernesto Zedillo spoke at the F20 Forum in Tokyo on the transition to a low carbon economy.

Annual Review 2018: Never too young to lead, never too old to learn

The Elders 2018 Annual Review is now available to download. Find out more about our activities, achievements and challenges from the past year.

Access to Justice, Climate Change, Conflict, Ethical Leadership, Refugees & Migration, UHC

Empowered women create empowered societies

Pioneering human rights lawyer and Elder Hina Jilani delivers strong words on women's empowerment at the 2019 Women Deliver Global Conference in Vancouver, Canada.

The Elders call on Egypt’s al-Sisi to uphold AU commitments on Sudan transition

The Elders call on Egypt’s al-Sisi to uphold AU commitments on Sudan transition

Mary Robinson: honour Kofi Annan's legacy by countering today's rising isolationism

Mary Robinson reflects on the life of Kofi Annan, the values that were the driving force behind his sucesses and the legacy that must be defended in the face of rising populism and isolationism.

The Elders’ visit to Ethiopia: refugees, health and democracy

In May 2019, The Elders visited Ethiopia for their biannual board meeting. This allowed for the opportunity to hold talks with Ethiopia's leadership, listen to refugees in the western Gambela region and promote the importance of primary health care.

Refugees & Migration, UHC

Putting gender inclusion at the centre of open government

Delivering the closing keynote on gender and inclusion, Mary Robinson calls on women to get involved in political struggles and show solidarity with each other to secure justice and open up the halls of government for our children and grandchildren.

Access to Justice

Livestream: 'Our Shared Humanity': The Legacy of Kofi Annan

On 3-4 June 2019, Chatham House and UNA-UK are hosting a conference exploring Kofi Annan’s legacy for the future of global governance.

Ethical Leadership

Political reforms, refugees and health form main focus of Elders’ board meeting in Ethiopia

The Elders held their biannual board meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 19-22 May 2019.

Refugees & Migration, UHC

The Elders welcome Ethiopia’s political reforms and urge full respect for rule of law

The Elders welcomed the wide-ranging reforms in Ethiopia introduced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and called on all leaders in the country to uphold the rule of law, foster a sense of national unity and defend the rights of refugees and displaced people.

Ethical Leadership, Refugees & Migration, UHC

The Elders reaffirm support for Colombia’s peace process

The Elders today reaffirmed their support for the historic peace deal between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and urged President Ivan Duque to continue to work for its full implementation.

Conflict, Ethical Leadership

The Elders welcome Ethiopia’s commitment to primary health care and digital innovation

During their biannual board meeting being held in Addis Ababa, The Elders met Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health, Dr. Lia Tadesse, to learn more about the country’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

To achieve the SDGs, leaders must deliver Access to Justice For All

Ahead of the High Level Political Forum in July, where countries will report on their progress on SDG 16, The Elders launch a call on leaders to show greater commitment to providing access to justice.

Access to Justice

Media Advisory: The Elders to visit Ethiopia from 19-22 May

The Elders will visit Ethiopia from 19-22 May for a series of meetings with senior political leaders and representatives of the African Union to discuss regional political developments and security issues.

Deon Shekuza a Youth Agent for Sustainable Development

Last month, Namibian youth advocate Deon Shekuza and Mary Robinson held an intergenerational dialogue on climate justice, on the sidelines of the Climate and Sustainable Development High-Level Meeting in New York. In this interview for TheElders.org, Deon

Investing in a green economy

Addressing investors at an EQT event, Gro Harlem Brundtland challenges the financial sector to think and act sustainably.

Ethical Leadership

Ban Ki-moon: The UK must commit to go carbon neutral by 2050

The Elders welcome the recommendations of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. Committing the UK to become carbon neutral by 2050 will send a clear message to other G20 nations and beyond that the UK truly is a leader on climate action.

Civil society is underappreciated as a partner in delivering justice goals

Speaking at the World Justice Forum, Hina Jilani champions civil society actors as filling the gaps in providing access to justice. But warns they need financial support, and recognition from the legal system.

Access to Justice

Time to close the shaming justice gap

As a new report launched at the World Justice Forum today reveals more than five billion people worldwide lack meaningful access to justice, Mary Robinson reflects on the saddeningly slow progress made to close the justice gap.

Access to Justice

The Importance of Women in Africa’s Transition to a Low- Carbon Economy

At the Mo Ibrahim Governance weekend, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, The Elders and The B Team co-convened a roundtable to discuss challenges and solutions for improving the role of women in the Africa’s transition to a green economy.

The Elders in China

Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, Lakhdar Brahimi, Ricardo Lagos and Ernesto Zedillo met with President Xi and other leaders on The Elders first official trip to China.

Ethical Leadership

The Elders urge peaceful transition to civilian rule in Sudan

The Elders today called upon Sudan’s interim military rulers to respect the wishes of the Sudanese people and commit publicly to a swift transition to civilian rule.

Ethical Leadership

Europe must take a stand in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Writing in the Financial Times, Gro Harlem Brundtland calls on European leaders to reassert their commitment to a two-state solution as the only way to deliver peace, justice and human rights to Israelis and Palestinians.

Fossil fuel extraction is a waste of resources in every sense

Mary Robinson speaks frankly at the Berlin Energy Transition dialogue on the role Germany must play in a just transition out of coal for good.

The Elders welcome China’s commitment to multilateralism and dialogue on rights and development, following meeting with President Xi Jinping

Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, Lakhdar Brahimi, Ricardo Lagos and Ernesto Zedillo were in Beijing to meet with the President of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping and other senior leaders.

Ethical Leadership

The Elders 将前往北京与中国领导层进行高层会谈

The Elders 将于4月1日至3日出访中国与主要政治领导人进行会面，探讨气候变化、核裁军、地区安全、极端主义等全球性挑战。

Ethical Leadership

Media Advisory: The Elders to visit Beijing for top-level discussions with Chinese leadership

The Elders will visit China from 1-3 April to meet with key political leaders and discuss global challenges from climate change and nuclear disarmament to regional security and extremism.

Ethical Leadership

Safeguarding future generations: how Wales is leading the way on climate justice

As Elders’ Chair Mary Robinson calls on UN Member States to prioritise the interests of young people, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales explains how the Welsh Government is giving young people a voice in political decision-making.

Climate change denial is a malign evil

Accepting the 2019 Kew International Medal for her work on climate justice, Mary Robinson called out fossil fuel companies for losing their social licence to operate.

Making the business case for access to justice

The global injustice of violence against women is estimated to cost between 1 and 4% of GDP. Hina Jilani considers the business case for access to justice. Read her keynote address to the OECD Global Policy Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice.

Access to Justice

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD), Caroline Kamana from Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition’s Education team, explores the power of Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

Ethical Leadership

Women in Power - the future of women’s leadership

Mary Robinson discusses the outstanding achievements of powerful women and what remains to be done to encourage the success of future female leaders at Women in Power event at the United Nations.

Ethical Leadership

The Elders stand in solidarity with students striking for climate action

Young people are rising up to demand urgent climate action from their leaders. On behalf of The Elders, Mary Robinson commended them for speaking truth to power.

Standing strong in the wake of increasingly hostile US immigration policies

With the Trump administration expanding a hard-line immigration policy, Greer Millard at The Florence Project highlights the importance of the organisations work with immigrants in Arizona.

Refugees & Migration

Students, Sunrise and Rebels unite to defy extinction

On 15 March students from around the world will join a global Youth Strike for Climate to demand that their leaders urgently take climate action. Extinction Rebellion Activist Farhana Yamin and #YouthStrike4Climate organiser Jake Woodier explain why.

The World Bank Group's defeat at the US Supreme Court will save its mission

In this guest blog Kirk Herbertson, Advocacy Strategist at EarthRights International - one of the Spark of Hope organisations honoured by The Elders - explains the significance of a ruling from the US Supreme Court earlier this year.

Access to Justice, Climate Change

The urgency of women and girls’ leadership in ensuring healthy societies and a healthy planet

Mary Robinson highlights women's achievements in transforming healthcare at the Commission on the Status of Women Side Event: Health for All Through Women's Human Rights.

The women creating a freer, fairer world

On International Women’s Day we celebrate eleven ideas for a freer, fairer world created by women, for women. These brave women and organisations fight for a world with equal rights and opportunities for women and girls.

Time's up for violence against women and girls

Graça Machel decries the horrifying statistics on the prevalence of violence against women and girls on International Women's Day 2019. First published by Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Access to Justice

Governing Geoengineering

Ban Ki-moon calls for clear governance rules for geoengineering based on inclusive, multilateral engagement, and warns against complacency in the face of the unforeseen and unintended consequences of these new technologies. Published in Thomson Reuters.

India and Pakistan must show restraint to defuse military tensions: The Elders

The Elders today called on the leaders of India and Pakistan to take urgent steps to defuse military and political tensions that have developed over the past few days and to refrain from further bellicose rhetoric and pursue a path of meaningful dialogue.

Ethical Leadership

East-West tensions at Munich highlight urgent need for action on nuclear threat

On 15-17 February, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson announced a new agenda on nuclear minimisation at the Munich Security Conference.

Ethical Leadership

UK must stop investing in fossil fuels in developing countries

Writing in The Guardian, Ban Ki-moon calls on the UK to prove it is serious about phasing out the use of fossil fuels worldwide

A New Era of Nuclear Rearmament

The international arms-control architecture is at risk of collapsing. Ernesto Zedillo warns of the risks of a new nuclear arms race between the US and Russia, and urges every nuclear-armed state to act responsibly to prevent catastrophe.

Ethical Leadership

#NuclearThreat: a call for minimisation

Ban Ki-moon, Ernesto Zedillo, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Mary Robinson explain why all nuclear powers must pursue policies of nuclear minimisation, to preserve peace for future generations.

Ethical Leadership

Pages

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Join the conversation

Latest content from our social channels

 Newsletter



Keep up to date with The Elders latest News and Insight:

Sign up to receive monthly newsletters from The Elders. We will occasionally send you other special updates and news, but we'll never share your email address with third parties.

Name *

Email *

Country

I agree to be contacted by email. Privacy Policy

Close