“When I was five years old, I discovered that something is seriously wrong with the way people treat our planet.”

Sara from Sweden is one of four young environmental activists taking part in the Elders+Youngers debate leading up to the Rio+20 summit. In this blog she writes of her inspiration and experience advocating for practical solutions to environmental issues – with governments and at a grassroots level.

“We believe that when young people know the urgency of the climate crisis they will act.”

Esther is one of the four Youngers taking part in the Elders+Youngers debate ahead of the Rio+20 summit. She describes how health and education issues in Nigeria motivate her work on environment and sustainable development in Africa.

“I believe in the power of each individual no matter how cruel the political and economical system may be.”

As he joins the Elders+Youngers debate ahead of the Rio+20 summit in June, climate change activist Marvin talks about his experience of promoting sustainable development in China and his efforts to raise awareness about these issues among students and young people.

“When people ask me what I do for a living I like to present myself as a socio-environmentalist.”

Pedro shares his experience working towards overcoming the social, economic, environmental and political issues facing Brazil and the wider world. As Rio+20 approaches, he argues that the Elders+Youngers debate will be another step towards the solution.

“The year 2012 might be a great opportunity for the West to dramatically improve relations with North Korea. We should give Kim Jong Un a chance. What do we have to lose?”

Rudiger Frank, Professor of East Asian Economy and Society at the University of Vienna, argues that the West should seize the opportunity to actively engage the new and unencumbered leader in Pyongyang who will make economic growth his top priority and who feels uneasy about China’s influence.

"We can end child marriage, because together we can achieve anything." Youth campaigner Nitu, India

In this new video from Girls Not Brides, campaigners from across South Asia – home to nearly half of the world's child brides – explain what motivates them and how they are playing their part in the struggle to end child marriage.

“It may be hard to measure their direct impact on the global task of ending child marriage, but this visit, for me at least, has me convinced that The Elders are creating a real tipping point.”

Pam Omidyar, founder of Humanity United and member of The Elders' Advisory Council, blogs about joining the Elders in India and their efforts to elevate the issue of child marriage.

“Monitoring school feeding is far easier; the combination of the UN working at the source, and the parents and teachers protecting it at the destination, provides assurance that aid reaches the right people.”

Katharina Zellweger, who has been involved with aid programmes for the people of North Korea since 1995, argues for the funding and implementation of a sustained school meals programme.

“Non-violent grassroots actions by Israelis and Palestinians need support if they are to succeed and grow.”

Julia Bacha, filmmaker and Media Director at Just Vision, blogs about their new short film series telling the stories of Israelis and Palestinians involved in an ongoing non-violent campaign in Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem.

After meeting the four Cypriot teenagers who feature in The Elders' documentary, Cyprus: Digging the Past in Search of the Future, former UK Minister for Europe Glenys Kinnock reflects on the role of young people in advancing reconciliation on the divided island.