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
Universal Health Coverage
Access to Justice
Refugees and Migration
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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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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Refugees and Migration

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

Elders Statement
War in Ukraine must not escalate: it is time to talk of peace
The Elders reaffirm that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an outrageous, unjustifiable act, for which there must be accountability and justice.
News
A people-centred approach to the energy transition is needed
Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon
21 May 2022
Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon called on world leaders to implement a just and inclusive energy transition at the Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL) Forum in Kigali.
Opinion
“Impunity in Israel and Palestine is as intolerable as it is in Ukraine”
Juan Manuel Santos
11 May 2022
The international community must show resolve in the face of aggression in Israel and Palestine.
Opinion
We need to see a full implementation of what was agreed at COP26
Mary Robinson
05 May 2022
Mary Robinson explores climate justice and the fight for a sustainable future at Foreign Policy's Climate Summit.
News
To build a fairer world, healthcare for all is essential
Gro Harlem Brundtland
03 May 2022
Gro Harlem Brundtland considers the importance of primary health care in building a fairer world after COVID-19.
Opinion
Public financing for primary health care is key to rebuilding after COVID-19
Gro Harlem Brundtland
07 Apr 2022
Gro Harlem Brundtland explores how investing in Public Health Care helps strengthen health security and broadens access for the marginalised and vulnerable.
News
We need each other in the struggle for a more peaceful, just world
Hina Jilani
04 Apr 2022
Hina Jilani reflects on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the steps needed to secure access to justice for all.
The Elders in the world

Video and gallery content from The Elders

Speech
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.
News
How close are we to realising gender equality?
How do we accelerate the unfinished business of the landmark Beijing Declaration on women’s rights? Mary Robinson and Amani Aruri in conversation.

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