A strategy to address existential threats

The Elders' Strategy 2023-2027 sets out how the world can tackle challenges that put all of humanity at risk.

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

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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Elbegdorj Tsakhia

Former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia who led his country’s transition to democracy after the fall of the Soviet Union. An international campaigner on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, climate change and democracy.

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Zeid Ra'ad 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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Our Programmes

We work on existential threats to humanity that require a collective response - the climate crisis, pandemics, and nuclear weapons. We also work on conflict, a threat in itself and a risk factor for other threats.

 

View our cross-cutting commitments (multilateralism, human rights, gender equality and women in leadership, and intergenerational dialogue) and find out more about what we do.

View Our Past Work

Past work

Programmes The Elders have worked on previously include...


Access to Justice

Access to justice for all is an important human right. We worked with governments and civil society to help make this right a reality.
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Refugees and Migration

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

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

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Child Marriage

Child marriage affects millions of girls worldwide. We brought together organisations working locally, nationally and internationally in a global partnership to end this harmful practice.
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Latest News & Insight

Opinions
Only bold, collective action can turn back the hands of the Doomsday Clock
Mary Robinson
In the face of existential threats facing humanity, there can be no choice but to act. Political leaders must work cooperatively and urgently to deliver a safe and just future for all, says Mary Robinson.
Elders Statements
The Elders warn urgent action on climate, pandemics, nuclear weapons needed to turn back hands of the Doomsday Clock
Mary Robinson Ban Ki-moon Elbegdorj Tsakhia
24 Jan 2023
Elders Statement: The Elders warn urgent action on climate, pandemics, nuclear weapons needed to turn back hands of the Doomsday Clock.
News
The Elders’ new strategy sets out to address humanity’s existential threats
24 Jan 2023
The Elders today launch a new strategy, setting out to address the existential threats facing humanity.
News
Remembering 2022, a year of crisis, courage and hope
Mary Robinson
04 Jan 2023
Mary Robinson reflects on the past year: the impact of existential threats, the courage of all who stood up to demand a better future, and the action needed to address the interconnected crises we face.
Opinions
Access to justice and human rights are two sides of the same coin
Hina Jilani
14 Dec 2022
The voices and values of civil society need to be supported more than ever if we are to achieve justice for all, says Hina Jilani.
Speeches and Discussions
Cooperation between China and the EU on the climate crisis is essential
Mary Robinson
13 Dec 2022
Mary Robinson gave a virtual speech at the Green Sustainable Development Conference in China on the importance of climate action cooperation between China and the EU.
Publications
Nobody left behind: equitable, sustainable and inclusive Universal Health Coverage for all
12 Dec 2022
The Elders today publish a new Charter for Equitable, Sustainable and Inclusive Universal Health Coverage, marking the culmination of their work on UHC since 2016.
Gallery content from The Elders
News
The Elders’ new strategy sets out to address humanity’s existential threats
The Elders today launch a new strategy, setting out to address the existential threats facing humanity.
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.
Photos
“We cannot win the game with only half the team” – Why women’s leadership matters in climate action
Photos from Mary Robinson's visit to Uganda to spend time with youth activist Vanessa Nakate, communities impacted by the climate crisis, and projects centering women's leadership.
Photos
Ela Bhatt: a life in pictures
Ela Bhatt was a member of The Elders between 2007 and 2016.
Photos
#PeaceCrane2020: Imagining a world free from nuclear weapons
The Elders mark the 75th Anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by folding an origami crane and sharing a message of peace.

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