“The Elders will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair.”
– Nelson Mandela

Together with Mandela, co-founding members of The Elders include Graça Machel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former US President Jimmy Carter, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson.

60 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Elders support the Every Human Has Rights initiative to promote the universal rights and values in the Declaration. The campaign called on citizens to uphold the goals of the Universal Declaration in their daily lives and to hold governments accountable to it.

Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, and Lakhdar Brahimi visited Cyprus – an island that has been divided between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities for more than four decades. During periods of violence in the 1960s and 1970s around 500 Turkish Cypriots and 1,500 Greek Cypriots were reported missing. While they were assumed to have been killed, their bodies were never found.

The Elders met with Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, civil society and youth to support leaders and groups in both Turkish and Greek communities who wished to end the conflict on the island.

Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Ela Bhatt and Fernando Henrique Cardoso travelled to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to learn about the people’s perceptions – their hopes for the future, their fears and concerns in the region.

They assessed the situation on the ground and especially the humanitarian situation in Gaza and listened to a wide variety of views including support groups on both sides who work for peace.

“It is easy to talk to people you agree with, and everyone feels good afterwards. But it doesn’t reflect the reality and complexity, the real pain and emotion of this region. We can all gain by listening to those who are different from us.”
– Fernando Henrique Cardoso

“No one is immune – rich, poor, developed or developing countries. We are all in this together. I will probably be spared the worst effects of climate change but I worry for our children’s future and for the millions of people who are already being impoverished and displaced.”
– Desmond Tutu

At their annual board meeting, The Elders launched a new initiative on Climate Change.

The Elders gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, to meet with Nelson Mandela, discuss our shared challenges, and talk to representatives from civil society and South African youth.

“It gives us such a strong sense of purpose and determination to sit with dear Madiba who brought us all together. We take his moral courage and his vision as our guide, to do what we can to address major causes of human suffering around the world.”
– Desmond Tutu

“On relations between North and South Korea, there are no quick fixes to security and nuclear issues, and progress will require greater flexibility, sincerity and commitment from all parties.”
– Jimmy Carter

As part of The Elders' work on the Korean Peninsula, Martti Ahtisaari, Mary Robinson, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Jimmy Carter travelled to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) to explore how to help ease tensions with the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and discuss how to address the reported food crisis. During their visit, the Elders held meetings with a wide range of high-level officials from respective countries.
 

The Elders travelled to Rio for the Rio+20 conference where they launched the Elders+Youngers initiative to share experiences across generations.

The Elders recognised that there is much to learn from youth, and we must create the space for them to share their aspirations and ideas with older generations.

Martti Ahtisaari, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson travelled to Israel and the West Bank where they met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The Elders voiced their continued support of a two-state solution to the conflict in Israel and Palestine.

Following the visit to the West Bank, they travelled to Egypt and met with President Morsi, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil El Araby, as well as civil society representatives before holding a televised discussion at the Cairo Opera House.

Pioneering lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner Hina Jilani and former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo joined the Elders in 2013.

Hina Jilani created Pakistan’s first all-women law firm, co-founded Pakistan’s first legal aid centre, and founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She also served as the first Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders 2000-2008.

Ernesto Zedillo is a renowned economist and former President of Mexico, currently serving as Director of the Center for the Study of Globalization at Yale University. He is a globally recognised voice on drug policy, nuclear non-proliferation and economic development.

“Nelson Mandela stands as an inspiration to us all.”
– Kofi Annan

Nelson Mandela – or Madiba as he is known in South Africa – called the Elders together in 2007, urging them to be bold, independent and to speak the truth. He told them to be a robust force for good, and to work in the interests of peace for all humanity.

The Elders have taken Madiba’s words as their mission and endeavour to honour his memory in their work.

Martti Ahtisaari, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Graça Machel, and Mary Robinson stood in solidarity with demonstrators in the largest demonstration on climate change to date.

Ahead of participating in the UN Secretary-General's Climate Summit, The Elders urged everyone to take personal responsibility to ensure ambitious action on climate change.

The Elders travelled to New York for the UN General Assembly. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Hina Jilani, Ernesto Zedillo and Graça Machel attended several high-level events and called on members of the UN Security Council to work collaboratively to enforce international law. 

Gro Harlem Brundtland and Graça Machel also participated in the 2015 Social Good Summit in New York where they spoke about The Elders' mandate to lead by example, and create positive social change.

Jimmy Carter stepped down from his role on the front line with The Elders, becoming an Elders Emeritus.

President Carter has been a member of The Elders since it was founded by Mandela in 2007, and has taken part in many Elders trips to promote peace and good governance, especially in the Middle East.

The Elders launched a new initiative on Refugees and Migration, recognising the mass movement of people as one of the most significant challenges the world faces today, but also a great opportunity.  

During a trip to Berlin, where the Elders met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President Joachim Gauck, they launched the report: In Challenge Lies Opportunity: How the World Must Respond to Refugees and Mass Migration, setting out four key principles that must be at the heart of an international response to refugees and mass migration.

Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, joined The Elders in 2017.

“It is an honour and a privilege to join this august group, whose work I have admired for many years. The Elders and the United Nations share the same values of justice, solidarity and a determination to fight for peace and human rights. I eagerly await the task ahead in this new chapter of my career.”
- Ban Ki-moon

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, died shortly after completing an Elders trip to Zimbabwe, meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and encouraging free, fair and transparent electoral processes.

The Elders paid tribute to their dear friend and colleague Kofi Annan.

“Kofi was a strong and inspiring presence to us all, and The Elders would not be where it is today without his leadership. Throughout his life, Kofi worked unceasingly to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.”
– Gro Harlem Brundtland

Mary Robinson was appointed The Elders’ third Chair since the group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, succeeding Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan. Ban Ki-moon and Graça Machel became joint Deputy Chairs.

“It is a huge honour to take up the role as Chair of The Elders at such a critical moment for peace, justice and human rights worldwide.”
– Mary Robinson

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate, Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Laureate, and Zeid Raad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, joined The Elders in 2019.

“I am delighted to welcome three such esteemed new members to our group. Ellen, Juan Manuel and Zeid each bring valuable and distinctive perspectives on issues that are central to our work, from human rights and peacebuilding to gender equality and justice for all.”
- Mary Robinson

Presenting the new programme at the Munich Security Conference, Mary Robinson and Lakhdar Brahimi called on nuclear-armed states, particularly the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, to commit to a “minimisation” agenda that offers a realistic long-term path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

After challenging world leaders to deliver Universal Health Coverage through publicly-financed primary healthcare-led reform, at the UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, Gro Harlem Brundtland urged leaders to ensure resilience to pandemics and epidemics by investing in health systems that are capable of meeting its challenges.

The Elders launched a special series of the Finding Humanity podcast to explore world challenges and the leadership needed to tackle them.

During the series, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, Juan Manuel Santos, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and more joined Mary Robinson to discuss human rights, peace-making, gender equality and multilateralism.

The Elders called on world leaders, decision-makers and the public to pause for a moment of reflection and solidarity as the world marked the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 2020.

In a gesture intended to encourage people to pause, reflect and recognise the scale of the nuclear tragedy, even as the world grappled with the challenges of COVID-19, the Elders invited people to join them in sharing a personal message of hope alongside the image of a specially crafted origami peace crane.

Inspired by the vision set out by their founder, Nelson Mandela, the Elders explored obstacles to peace, justice and human rights and sparked a discussion about what hope means – and where it can be found.

Desmond Tutu passed away after a long and brave battle against ill health. “Arch”, as he liked to be called, was the first Chair of The Elders from 2007-2013. He played a vital role in shaping the organisation, its values and its work.

The Elders paid tribute to their dear friend and colleague.

“The Elders would not be who they are today without his passion, commitment and keen moral compass. Arch was respected around the world for his dedication to justice, equality and freedom.”  
- Mary Robinson   

Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon visited Israel and Palestine from 20-22 June 2023, on the first Elders’ mission to the region since a 2015 mission by Jimmy Carter and Gro Brundtland.

They expressed deep alarm at the growing evidence of a “one-state reality” of permanent occupation and repression of Palestinians, which threatens to become a system of apartheid without a rapid and radical change of course by the Government of Israel.

The Elders welcomed former New Zealand Prime Minister and UNDP leader Helen Clark as the newest member of their group.

Her experience on global challenges and commitment to equality, justice and multilateralism will enhance the group’s continued push for courageous leadership on existential threats.

On 16 November 2023, The Elders delivered an open letter to the President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Israel and Palestine.

"Dear President Biden, You have a historic opportunity to help end the Israel-Palestine conflict - permanently."

The Elders announced that Ricardo Lagos will step down from full-time duties and become an Elder Emeritus. The Elders paid tribute to their friend’s significant legacy of promoting democracy and human rights at home and abroad, and look forward to continuing to benefit from his wisdom as an Elder Emeritus.