Founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, we are independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights

Ban Ki-moon

Former UN Secretary-General and former South Korean Foreign Minister; championed the world’s vulnerable by putting Sustainable Development, climate change, and gender equality at the top of the UN agenda.

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Gro Harlem Brundtland

First woman Prime Minister of Norway; former Director-General of WHO; a medical doctor who champions health as a human right; and put sustainable development on the international agenda.

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Zeid Raad Al Hussein

Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; champion of international justice and multilateralism; outspoken advocate for peace and human rights; veteran Jordanian diplomat and peacekeeping expert.

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Hina Jilani

Pioneering lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner; a leading activist in Pakistan's women's movement and international champion of human rights.

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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Former President of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state; Nobel Peace Laureate; a leading promoter of peace, justice and democratic rule; a voice for freedom; and advocate for health for all.

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Ricardo Lagos

Former President of Chile; tenacious fighter for democracy and human rights; implemented health reform and reduced economic inequality while diversifying Chile’s external trade in the era of globalisation.

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Graça Machel

Women’s and children's rights advocate; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique; co-founder of The Elders.

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Mary Robinson

First woman President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Chair of The Elders; a passionate advocate for gender equality, women’s participation in peace-building, human dignity and climate justice.

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Juan Manuel Santos

Former President of Colombia; a Nobel Peace Laureate who led complex peace negotiations, ending over 50 years of intractable civil war.

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Ernesto Zedillo

Former President of Mexico who led profound democratic and social reforms; a renowned economist; and an advocate of multilateralism, inclusive globalisation, nuclear nonproliferation, drug policy reform and universal healthcare.

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Martti Ahtisaari

Former President of Finland; Nobel Peace Laureate; and expert in conflict mediation, diplomacy and post-conflict state-building.

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Ela Bhatt

The ‘gentle revolutionary’; a pioneer in women’s empowerment and founder of the more than 1 million-strong Self-Employed Women’s Association trade union in India; Gandhian practitioner of non-violence and self-reliance.

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Lakhdar Brahimi

Former Algerian freedom fighter, Foreign Minister, conflict mediator and UN diplomat; an expert in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.

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Fernando Henrique Cardoso

Former President of Brazil; implemented major land reform programme, reduced poverty and significantly improved health and education; an acclaimed sociologist and global advocate for drug policy reform.

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Jimmy Carter

Former President of the United States, Nobel Peace Laureate and veteran peace negotiator; dedicated to advancing peace, democracy and health worldwide.

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Our key programmes

Conflict Countries & Regions
Climate Change
Refugees and Migration
Universal Health Coverage
Access to Justice
Ethical Leadership & Multilateral Cooperation

Conflict Countries & Regions

We endeavour to assist in efforts to secure peaceful resolution to conflicts through quiet diplomacy and a willingness to talk to all sides.
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Climate Change

We want to help ensure a just transition to the low carbon economy, create political space for ambitious action, and encourage innovative new solutions.
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Refugees and Migration

We champion the need for compassion, tolerance and solidarity in response to vulnerable people on the move. ​
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Universal Health Coverage

We make global and country-level interventions to support UHC in the broader context of pandemic preparedness and response, and the SDGs.
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Access to Justice

Access to justice for all is an important human right. We will work with governments and civil society to make this right a reality.
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Ethical Leadership & Multilateral Cooperation

We support international co-operation & strong multilateral institutions as the most effective ways of tackling global challenges, including nuclear disarmament.
Find out more
Latest News & Insight More on what we do

Latest News & Insight

Elders Statements
The Elders endorse IAEA’s call for safety and security protection zone at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Ban Ki-moon Juan Manuel Santos
The Elders remain seriously concerned about the risk of a severe nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s and Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
Speeches and Discussions
Multilateralism is essential in tackling our shared challenges
Ban Ki-moon
13 Sep 2022
Ban Ki-moon emphasises the importance of multilateralism at the One Young World 2022 Summit.
News
Remembering the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II
Mary Robinson
09 Sep 2022
Mary Robinson reflects on Her Majesty's commitment to the Commonwealth and dedication to peace and human dignity.
News
Russia's war on Ukraine is a moral outrage
Ban Ki-moon
02 Sep 2022
Ban Ki-moon reflects on his recent visit to Ukraine, the need for international solidarity and the global threat of nuclear weapons
News
The Elders respond to UN assessment of human rights violations in Xinjiang, China
Mary Robinson
01 Sep 2022
Following the OHCHR assessment of human rights concerns in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, The Elders express their concern and stress the gravity of the report’s findings.
News
The Elders deplore Russia’s move to block a consensus outcome to the NPT Review Conference
Mary Robinson
27 Aug 2022
Mary Robinson expresses disappointment that that consensus has not been reached on a final statement at the NPT Review Conference.
News
The Elders condemn Israel’s repressive actions against Palestinian NGOs
Mary Robinson Zeid Raad Al Hussein
25 Aug 2022
The Elders are deeply concerned at Israel’s latest repressive actions and raids against Palestinian NGOs in the occupied territories.
The Elders in the world

Video and gallery content from The Elders

News
Marking Mandela Day 2022, Mary Robinson reflects on the global state of hope
Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson's State of Hope Talk explores the legacy of Mandela and the dearly-missed friend, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Speeches and Discussions
The Elders to address the global ‘state of hope’ in a week of activity to mark Mandela Day
From 12 July, The Elders will bring together high-profile voices from across the world to launch a major new initiative to consider the State of Hope in these unprecedented times.
News
Together, we can shape a better future for us all
At a time of populism and isolationism, when polarised politics and self-interest have the upper hand, The Elders offer an alternative approach.
News
Israel-Palestine: the realities of occupation
Gro Harlem Brundtland joins Nadav Weiman, a former IDF soldier and Deputy Director of Breaking the Silence, to discuss his military service, the realities of occupation and hopes for peace between Israel and Palestine.
Photos
Desmond Tutu: a life in pictures
Archbishop Desmond Tutu served as Chair of The Elders between 2007 and 2013.

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