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

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

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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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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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.
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Latest News & Insight More on what we do

Latest News & Insight

News
Women’s leadership is essential to addressing the climate crisis
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflects on the injustice of the climate crisis, the need for women's leadership and the importance of solidarity and international cooperation.
News
The Elders' calls to action ahead of COP27
03 Oct 2022
Ahead of COP27, The Elders lay out their calls to action that must be delivered upon to achieve climate justice
Guest Blogs
Indigenous women must be present at decision making tables
03 Oct 2022
Championed by Ellen Johnson Sirlief, Jane Meriwas from Kenya writes about the need to listen to, respect and value the leadership and solutions of Indigenous people.
News
The Elders condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories
Ban Ki-moon
30 Sep 2022
They urge all UN member states not to recognise Russian authority in these regions, and publicly support Ukraine’s right to defend its territory and sovereignty.
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
14 Sep 2022
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.
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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