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

News & Insight
Who We Are
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Ban Ki-moon

Deputy Chair

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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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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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.

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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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Mary Robinson

Chair of The Elders

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

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Graça Machel

Deputy Chair

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

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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.

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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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Martti Ahtisaari

Elder Emeritus

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

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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.

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Fernando Henrique 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.

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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.

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Desmond Tutu

Elder Emeritus

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

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How we work & what we do

The Elders work covers three overarching themes...

Governance and Leadership

Global challenges require global solutions

Conflict, its Causes and Consequences

Peace and the prevention of conflict is possible

Inequality, Exclusion and Injustice

Building a more stable world
Latest News & Insight More on what we do

Latest News & Insight

 Press release

The Elders challenge leaders to confront migration lies and make UN deal a success
11 Dec 2018
The Elders welcome the signing of the United Nations Global Compact for Migration, and urge politicians, media and civil society to recognise the realities of our globalised world and respect the human rights of people on the move.
Refugees & Migration
 Opinion

Ignore the lies about the UN Migration pact. It's the only responsible solution to a changing world
10 Dec 2018
Writing in TIME, Mary Robinson calls on leaders to recognise the realities of our globalized world and embrace the sovereignty that the UN Global Compact on Migration provides.
Refugees & Migration
 News

World leaders must recommit to UN global values to achieve peace and security
04 Dec 2018
Martti Ahtisaari reflects on his time working with The Elders and stresses the importance of international cooperation and shared values.
Conflict, Ethical Leadership
 Videos

Mary Robinson: leading The Elders into its second decade
03 Dec 2018
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, reflects on the key challenges facing the group as it enters its second decade, and how it will continue to build on Nelson Mandela's vision of a freer, fairer world.
Climate Change, Ethical Leadership
 Press release
The Elders encourage full implementation of Colombian peace deal
23 Nov 2018
Writing to the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, The Elders welcomed his commitment to the peace agreement signed by his predecessor Jose Manuel Santos and encouraged its full implementation to further the causes of peace and reconciliation.
 News
The filmmakers standing up for human rights
23 Nov 2018
A selection of one-minute films from The Mobile Film Festival highlighting the most pressing human rights issues of today.
 Guest Blog

Without traditional knowledge, there is no climate change solution
15 Nov 2018
Ahead of the Climate Vulnerable Forum's virtual summit, indigenous peoples' champion Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim insists that those already living with the reality of climate change must be integral in decision making.
Climate Change
The Elders in the world

Video and gallery content from The Elders

Mary Robinson: leading The Elders into its second decade
 Video
Elders tackle global issues at UN Noon Briefing
 Video
Highlights from #WalkTogether - continue Mandela's long walk to freedom
 Gallery
Elders in Berlin: recognising German leadership on refugees
 Gallery
Mandela's vision for a better world
 Video
 Join the conversation Discover more video and galleries

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