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Existential threats: global public attitudes

20 September 2024

An overview of insights from international polling and desk research conducted in 2024 on four existential global threats: climate change, pandemics, nuclear weapons, and artificial intelligence (AI)

Are we ready to lead together? A Critical Intergenerational Dialogue on Existential Threats

20 September 2024

EVENT: A critical intergenerational dialogue addressing existential threats, exploring leadership across generations to confront the challenges of climate change, AI, nuclear weapons, and pandemics

A Pathway Towards Sustainable Peace in Palestine and Israel

The Elders call for a new approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that can lead to a truly just and sustainable peace.

Elders and FLI launch new film series on existential threats solutions

A new film series exploring solutions to humanities greatest challenges.

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Long-view leadership & climate justice: how Brazil can lead the world

On 28 May in São Paulo the Elders and distinguished guests met to discuss how Brazil can mobilise the world to deliver bold, just and equitable solutions to the climate and nature crisis

Long-view leadership & climate justice: how Brazil can lead the world

EVENT: Long-view leadership & climate justice: how Brazil can lead the world

Post-2015 goals include peace and ending child marriage

The High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, appointed to design a framework to replace the Millennium Development Goals, released its report last week. Its recommendations include a goal on peace and security, and recognise child marriage as

Pluralism: a key challenge of the 21st century

"If diversity is seen as a source of strength, societies can become healthier, more stable and prosperous."
In a speech at the Global Centre for Pluralism, Kofi Annan discusses the challenges of governing plural societies, promoting inclusive democr

A forum for peace

“You face many challenges, as citizens and as civil society leaders of Sudan and South Sudan, but we have witnessed the yearning for peace and stability that exists in both countries.”
Reflecting on their efforts over the past six years to promote pe

The Elders in Dublin

In Ireland for their biannual meeting, the Elders met senior politicians to push for the EU-wide labelling of Israeli settlement goods; heard from young activists in Northern Ireland about their growing political disillusionment; and appointed a new Chair

Sending a strong political signal

"Labelling Israeli settlement products would be a small step but a big political signal." Mary Robinson
Gro Harlem Brundtland and Mary Robinson talk to RTÉ Radio One's Richard Crowley about The Elders' call for Europe to play a stronger role in the Midd

The Elders 'freelance diplomacy' comes to Ireland

"Our independence is so much of what we are." Mary RobinsonDuring The Elders' visit to Ireland, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson talk to Mary Fitzgerald of The Irish Times about Nelson Mandela's mandate for the group, their unique approach to internationa

Elders meet young activists from Northern Ireland

In Dublin this week for their twice-yearly meeting, the Elders are taking the opportunity to hear from young leaders about their work promoting peace, human rights and inclusion in Northern Ireland.

We must have the courage to defend our values

In a candid and wide-ranging interview with Martin Eiermann for The European, Martti Ahtisaari discusses Europe's role in the world, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the 'responsibility to protect', and why egalitarianism always leads to better societies

Sheikh Jarrah: solidarity in a shared city

“When the first demonstration happened, I thought: how can they be Jewish?”
In East Jerusalem, Israelis and Palestinians have joined forces to protest settlement expansion into Palestinian neighbourhoods. Six months after The Elders last visited the

BRICS call for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access in Syria

After Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa conclude their two-day summit with a strong statement on the urgent need for humanitarian access in Syria, The Elders welcome their call, urging the five leaders to work with all parties to facilitate th

UN Human Rights Council: There must be accountability for victims of Sri Lanka's civil war

Today’s vote by the Human Rights Council highlights the lack of progress towards addressing Sri Lanka's culture of impunity. The resolution calls on the government to conduct an independent and credible investigation into human rights violations committ

Mary Robinson appointed as UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region of Africa

"Mary faces the formidable challenge of helping to bring about peace in a region torn apart by decades of strife." Desmond TutuThe Elders welcome Mary Robinson's new appointment and stand ready to support her in her mission.

How can policy-makers help protect women and girls from violence?

“People can change their attitudes. We have to help them do it.”
Speaking at an inquiry of the UK International Development Committee, Gro Harlem Brundtland discusses what parliamentarians and policy-makers can do to ensure development programming ta

US legislates to prevent child marriage worldwide

In a development welcomed by child marriage activists, the United States Congress has passed a bill stating that child marriage breaches fundamental human rights – and requiring the US to integrate the prevention of this harmful practice across its deve

Elders welcome new South Korean President

The Elders congratulate the new South Korean President Park Geun-hye on taking office and express their support for her commitment to constructive engagement with North Korea.

Women, work and peace

“Poverty is day-to-day violence, no less destructive than war.”
Receiving the 2011 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, Ela Bhatt re-examines our idea of peace, arguing that equity, local economies and the empowerment of women

African campaigners come together to tackle child marriage

“We ought to do everything in our power to ensure girls can become all they can be.” Desmond Tutu
In November, Desmond Tutu and Graça Machel took part in a Girls Not Brides conference discussing how to end child marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa. The e

Sustainable development, democracy, peace: the key role of women

Gro Harlem Brundtland delivers the Nadia Younes Memorial Lecture at the American University in Cairo, 12 March 2012.

'Desmond Tutu: not going quietly'

In a video interview with David Frost for Al Jazeera, Desmond Tutu offers his personal insight into the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and his concerns for the recent developments taking place in the country. Later, joined by Jimmy Carter, they d

The Elders call for immediate halt to Gaza violence

“This new outbreak of violence is heartbreaking – and all too familiar." Desmond Tutu
As violence escalates in Gaza and Israel, the Elders call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and for the international community to renew efforts to resolve

'Respect the Elders'

“I do this because I feel I have a responsibility to use the experience I have. All conflicts can be solved.” Martti AhtisaariFrom behind-the-scenes advocacy to occasional "blasts of indignation", Sophie Grove, writing for Monocle, examines what mak

Elders to Egyptian youth: "You are the future"

“It took us 12 years to write a constitution. Don't underestimate what you have done.” Jimmy CarterLast week, to conclude their two-day visit to Cairo, the Elders took part in a televised discussion with young Egyptians on the momentous events that

'Elders seek solutions to world’s worst problems'

“We don't give up. We are determined. In this interconnected world, problems in one country – if we don't address them and support them – will spill over into other countries.”
On NPR’s Talk of The Nation, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson joined

“Can we end child marriage in one generation? Yes!”

For the International Day of the Girl 2012, Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson travelled to the United States to take part in a series of events marking the day, including a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, a high-level panel discuss

The Elders’ Sudan and South Sudan initiative, 2012

Summary report – October 2012With ongoing conflicts in Blue Nile and South Kordofan and worsening relations between Sudan and South Sudan, The Elders made a series of visits in 2012 to both nations, to highlight the growing humanitarian crisis and enc

'Tutu promotes campaign to end child marriage'

“It’s not just throwing money at the problem. The idea is to ensure that the standards are respectful of the customs and traditions of the community.”
In an interview with The Washington Post, following his meeting with US Secretary of State Hillar

Google+ Hangout with Mary Robinson and child marriage activists

Why is child marriage the focus of the International Day of the Girl? How can we end this harmful practice that affects millions of girls every year? How can advocates and activists – especially young people all around the world – take a stand against

International Day of the Girl 2012

Day of the Girl: giving girls a voice

“Every three seconds, another girl becomes a child bride.”11 October marks the first ever International Day of the Girl Child: a chance to amplify the voice of millions of girls everywhere being married off before the age of 18. Join Mary Robinson a

Traditions are man-made, they can be changed

In a video from Half the Sky, a campaign dedicated to the empowerment of girls and women across the world, Desmond Tutu questions the sidelining of women in the name of custom or tradition. If these traditions are man-made, he argues, then they can be cha

On Peace Day, The Elders call for a truce in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, Sudan

“A day to realise the noblest dream there is: peace; an end to violence everywhere, within our homes, on our streets and between our societies, for the safety and dignity of all.” Desmond TutuThis year, to mark the International Day of Peace, The El

Egypt: building an inclusive democracy

“I believe the trend towards democracy in Egypt is inevitable.” Jimmy CarterGro Harlem Brundtland and Jimmy Carter both recently travelled to Egypt to speak at the American University in Cairo about the country’s ongoing transition to a free, demo

The Elders welcome new funds to address the refugee crisis in South Sudan

In July, the Elders travelled to South Sudan and witnessed first-hand the humanitarian crisis taking place in the region. They welcome the generosity of the Omidyar family in donating funds towards improving the refugee situation in South Sudan, as well a

Feature: "Grandpa diplomacy"

“As we grow older, we become more tolerant. When we are young, we divide the world between those who are wrong and those who are right, and we are more impatient.” Desmond Tutu
In a feature about The Elders, originally published in French in M, Le Mo

Displacement crisis in Syria: no time to lose

“It is critical to reach an agreement with Syrian authorities on securing humanitarian access inside Syria and to ensure that funds are available to respond to the needs on the ground.”
Five members of The Elders have joined leading humanitarian orga

The Elders welcome Lakhdar Brahimi’s appointment as Syria peace envoy

“We know of the talent that Lakhdar can bring to this peace mission, and hope that all of those in a position to help end this deadly conflict will speak and work with him.” Desmond TutuThe Elders congratulate Lakhdar Brahimi on his appointment as p

Elders+Youngers: building a sustainable and more equitable world for all

Final report – August 2012In the spring of 2012, The Elders and four young activists began an inter-generational debate about the change needed to secure a sustainable future for our planet, in the run-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Developmen

Committing to end child marriage: Hillary Clinton meets the Elders

“An estimated one in three girls in the developing world is married before the age of 18.”As US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded her 11-day visit to Africa, she met Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel at their home in South Africa. After di

Freedom, truth, democracy: citizenship and common purpose

“My challenge today is to speak to you, South Africans, as your friend. A true friend tells you not only what you want to hear but also what you need to hear.”Mary Robinson delivered the Tenth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Cape Town yesterday. Wh

Graça Machel appointed to UN Panel on post-2015 development agenda

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Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon & Ernesto Zedillo enjoyed a good meeting with @antonioguterres at @UN. They discussed global security issues inc. Ukraine and Israel/Palestine, how to strengthen multilateralism amid geopolitical tensions, & plans for the upcoming Summit of the Future. pic.twitter.com/lY1HWKn8Ku
— The Elders (@TheElders) June 27, 2024

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