The Elders

Put ordinary people first

In her first public message as Chair of The Elders, Mary Robinson calls for holistic leadership on the challenges we face.

Human Rights: a call for leadership

Three former UN High Commissioners for Human Rights, Elders and young leaders mark the 70th Anniversary of the UDHR.

Avert climate disaster

Our statement on the urgent need to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees of warming.

Speaking Truth to Power

Celebrating the moral courage and leadership of change agents around the world, Graça Machel challenges leaders at the UN General Assembly to celebrate Nelson Mandela's legacy by accelerating social transformation.

Stand together, with each other and with refugees

Ban Ki-moon calls on world leaders to increase political will to overcome the refugee crisis.

Press release 01 November 2018

Mary Robinson appointed new Chair of The Elders

The former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will become The Elders’ third Chair.

News 02 November 2018

Taking the lead on Human Rights

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Elders joined together with the British Council and SOAS to debate the future of human rights and ethical leadership.

News 08 November 2018

Mary Robinson outlines priorities in her new role as Chair of The Elders

"We do not have the luxury of time to be complacent or passive."

Mary Robinson reflects on her appointment as Chair of The Elders and our recent board meeting in London. In this, her first public message, she calls for holistic leadership that places the interests of ordinary people centre stage.

Press release 30 October 2018

The Elders call on UN Security Council to take urgent, credible action to lift Yemen blockade

"It is obscene that starvation is being used as a weapon of war in the twenty-first century." - Mary Robinson

As the three major powers backing the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen, The Elders call on the UK, the US and France to take urgent action to bring an end to the blockade of Yemen and avert a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.

News 16 October 2018

Low carbon investment: a matter of climate justice and civil rights

“Having local voices, indigenous voices, women’s voices at the highest table when decisions on the future green economy are being made, is vital to climate justice.” -Mary Robinson

Listen to the voices of those impacted most by climate change, Mary Robinson and Ricardo Lagos tell investors working towards low carbon economy

News 09 October 2018

Discrimination: human rights are a preventative tool

"As a lawyer and human rights defender, I have repeatedly been confronted with examples of discrimination committed on grounds of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation."

Hina Jilani highlights the role of human rights in the struggle against discrimination as we mark the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Opinion Ban Ki-moon, 08 October 2018

Ban Ki-moon: IPCC's report exposes how Trump is wrong about climate change

Writing in TIME, Ban Ki-moon calls for concerted action on climate change from leaders in the wake of the IPCC Special Report on 1.5 degrees.

Press release 31 October 2018

The Elders call on Sri Lanka’s leaders to uphold constitutional law

"President Sirisena must stand by his past commitments to deliver peace, justice and reconciliation to his people – all of which can only be achieved by strict adherence to and respect for the constitution.” - Hina Jilani

The Elders express grave concern at the situation in Sri Lanka following President Maithripala Sirisena’s unconstitutional decision to dismiss Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspend Parliament.

News 09 October 2018

Human rights are a key tool to protect the vulnerable against climate change

"Climate change denial is not just ignorant, it is malign, it is evil and amounts to an attempt to deny human rights to some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. "

Mary Robinson highlights the enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in protecting the vulnerable against the effects of climate change as we mark the 70th Anniversary of the UDHR.

News Ricardo Lagos, 08 October 2018

1.5ºC: Urgent changes needed to reach target

Reflecting on his recent visit to California for the Global Climate Action Summit, and following the publication of a critical IPCC report on the impact of 1.5ºC of warming, Ricardo Lagos urges us to stand in solidarity with fellow citizens and future generations in the fight against climate change.

News 28 September 2018

Graça Machel speaks truth to power at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit

"For me, the meaning of celebrating Madiba is to work to end this senseless violence as a matter of priority and urgency."

Addressing the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York on 24 September, Graça Machel reflects on the purpose and relevance of an empowered United Nations dedicated to achieving a better world for all.

Nelson Mandela

(1918-2013) Founder

Former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Laureate; a leader who dedicated his life to the anti-apartheid struggle, democracy and equality; founder of The Elders.

Martti Ahtisaari

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

Kofi Annan

(1938-2018)

Former UN Secretary-General, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders (2013-2018); put development, human rights, the rule of law, good governance and peace at the top of the United Nations agenda.

Ban Ki-moon

Deputy Chair of The Elders

Former UN Secretary-General, former South-Korean Foreign Minister and diplomat; he sought to give voice to the world’s poorest and vulnerable people by putting Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, and gender equality at the top of the UN agenda.

Ela Bhatt

Elder Emeritus

The ‘gentle revolutionary’; a pioneer in women’s empowerment and grassroots development, founder of the more than 1 million-strong Self-Employed Women’s Association in India.

Lakhdar Brahimi

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

Gro Harlem Brundtland

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

Fernando H Cardoso

Elder Emeritus

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.

Jimmy Carter

Elder Emeritus

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

Hina Jilani

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

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.

Graça Machel

Deputy Chair of The Elders

International advocate for women’s and children's rights; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique.

Mary Robinson

Chair of The Elders

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

Desmond Tutu

Elder Emeritus

Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Nobel Peace Laureate and Honorary Elder; a veteran anti-apartheid activist and peace campaigner widely regarded as ‘South Africa’s moral conscience’.

Ernesto Zedillo

Former President of Mexico who led profound democratic and social reforms; economist and advocate of multilateralism, inclusive globalisation, nuclear non-proliferation and drug policy reform.

The Elders are independent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.

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