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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.

We are recruiting: Operations Officer

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

International Cooperation: Elders' Q&A

In a Q&A session with the IPI Global Observatory, four Elders discussed the importance of reinvigorating international cooperation in order to address the world's most pressing problems.

Wisdom Wanted: Elders discuss the need for ethical leadership

On 22 May, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Ernesto Zedillo & Graça Machel will discuss the need for ethical leadership and political courage to overcome the multitude of challenges facing the world today. Watch the livestream here and follow on Twitter: #Wisd

Elders tackle global issues at UN Noon Briefing

Following a meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson addressed global challenges including multilateralism, climate change and conflict at the UN Noon Briefing on 9 May.

Secure climate justice by staying true to the science

In an era of cynicism within politics and the media, Mary Robinson calls for evidence-based science to determine the global policy agenda and expresses solidarity with climate scientists and those on the frontlines of climate change.

Inspired by voices of peace and justice in Israel-Palestine

Reflecting on a recent staff trip to Israel-Palestine, our CEO David Nussbaum remains inspired by the brave groups from both communities who continue to be voices of peace and justice.

Elders at the Munich Security Conference 2017

Four Elders attended the annual Munich Security Conference in February 2017 to tackle several contemporary challenges including the Iran Nuclear Agreement, climate security and the refugees and migration crises. 

The Elders at Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2017, Bangkok, 1-2 February 2017

Two Elders visited Thailand in February 2017 to speak at an annual public health conference. Gro Harlem Brundtland emphasised the importance of inclusive health policy and Ernesto Zedillo explained how to sustainably finance Universal Health Coverage.

Resilience creates results: why human rights defenders persist

Speaking at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Hina Jilani highlights the key role that human rights defenders play in preserving human rights as a universal value.

Five ways to realise and protect women’s rights

To mark International Women’s Day, we highlight five perspectives on how to achieve gender equality, including on maintaining the momentum in challenging times and the importance of engaging men and boys.

Dialogue: the only route to a more peaceful world

From neutralising conflict and controlling the spread of nuclear weapons to empowering the climate vulnerable and equitably responding to mass movements of people, Ernesto Zedillo reflects on the importance of dialogue to reach common ground.

Four pillars to ensure inclusive UHC

Addressing a plenary entitled "The Political Economy of Social Inclusion" at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2017, Ernesto Zedillo draws on his experiences as President of Mexico as he explains how to sustainably implement Universal Health Covera

Social Inclusion: What Does It Mean for Health Policy and Practice?

Delivering the keynote speech at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2017, Gro Harlem Brundtland highlights the importance of inclusive health policy, praising hosts Thailand for progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and calling on all lead

Refugees and migrants: part of our common humanity

Lakhdar Brahimi calls on leaders to approach the debate on refugees and migration with care and responsibility. Reflecting on the daunting challenges ahead, he remains hopeful that a better world can be built with the passion and commitment of the young.

The challenge of migration and security: a call for a rights-based response

Speaking at Sciences Po's Youth & Leaders Summit, Lakhdar Brahimi highlights the importance of security within the wider debate on migration and calls for nuanced, long-term policymaking.

Lakhdar Brahimi to discuss migration and security at Sciences Po

On 16 January, Lakhdar Brahimi will join a panel discussion on the security challenges posed by the migration crisis at Sciences Po's annual Youth and Leaders Summit.

Another day, another atrocity

In a valedictory piece after six years at The Elders, Andrew Whitley laments the loss of innocent civilian life in ongoing atrocities from Nigeria to Turkey, Egypt to Syria, and reflects on the failure of internationally-binding rules-based systems.

Kofi Annan discusses UHC with the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo

Chair of The Elders Kofi Annan holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widowi ahead of the Bali Democracy Forum, with discussion focusing on key topics including Universal Health Coverage.

Acting together to secure a sustainable future

In a world of rising intolerance, Mary Robinson draws courage from leaders working to tackle the global challenge of climate change.

Five ways to end violence against women

One in three women worldwide will experience violence in their lifetime. To mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we present five different perspectives from members of The Elders over the past ten years, touchin

The Elders felicitan al Presidente de Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos por el premio Liderazgo de las Américas

Una carta abierta por parte de nuestro Presidente Kofi Annan al Presidente de Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, en la que se elogia su liderazgo en negociar dos acuerdos de paz con los rebeldes de las FARC para poner fin al conflicto más prolongado de Col

The Elders congratulate Colombia’s President Santos on Leadership for The Americas award

An open letter from our Chair Kofi Annan to Colombia’s President Santos, praising his leadership in brokering two peace agreements with the FARC rebels to end Colombia’s long-running conflict.

Elders’ Visit to UNGA High-Level Week, New York, 17-22 September 2016

Four Elders visited New York in September 2016 to attend events in and around the UN General Assembly, including on refugees and migration, Universal Health Coverage and UN reform.

Prisoners of hope in a challenging world: reflections from our new CEO

David Nussbaum offers his reflections following his first board meeting as CEO, recalling the Elders undimmed sense of determination as "prisoners of hope" and paying tribute to Ela Bhatt as she steps down from frontline duties.

Accelerating progress toward UHC by 2030

Last month in New York, Gro Harlem Brundtland spoke alongside global health leaders including Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO and the health ministers of South Africa and Thailand, during which she called for courageous leadership to achieve Univer

Building a culture of inclusivity in a diverse society

Delivering the 6th Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, Hina Jilani stresses the importance of ethical leadership and exhorts world leaders to comply with human rights norms and the rule of law when addressing peace and security issues.

Building a culture of inclusivity in a diverse society

Delivering the 6th Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, Hina Jilani stresses the importance of ethical leadership.

Ethical leadership: a global challenge and opportunity

Our CEO Andrew Whitley reflects on a busy month during which The Elders launched a new report in Germany on refugees and mass migration, and held several meetings and discussions in and around the UN General Assembly in New York, including with senior UN

Why is Universal Health Coverage vital to achieving the health SDG?

Recognising the vital role health plays in the realisation of the wider Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Kofi Annan is joined by fellow Elders Gro Harlem Brundtland and Ernesto Zedillo in this short video calling on governments to honour their commit

Syria and refugees: the case for compassion

Kofi Annan reflects on the shocking images of children who have suffered in the Syrian conflict and asks whether the world has done enough, both in protecting civilians within Syria and those who have fled.

Overcoming obstacles on the path to peace

Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile, draws on personal experience when he reflects on Colombia's path to peace and the tensions between conflict resolution and upholding human rights.

On the UK's responsibility to show leadership at the United Nations

Speaking at the International Relations Committee of the House of Lords in London, 20 July, our CEO Andrew Whitley reflects on the need for reform at the United Nations and UK's role in leading this change.

Observing change at the United Nations

Change at the UN usually proceeds at a glacial pace, but our Programme Officer Tom Brookes observes that over the past 18 months, the status quo appears to be slowly changing.

Elders discuss Middle East with BBC’s Lyse Doucet at ODI

The Elders and ODI co-hosted a discussion panel on the Middle East with the BBC’s Lyse Doucet, bringing together world-leading research and experience to discuss all angles of the regional crisis.

The Elders launch Universal Health Coverage initiative at Women Deliver

The Elders call for universal access to health care as a way of saving lives, tackling poverty, empowering women and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Universal Health Coverage: a goal all countries can reach

Jimmy Carter, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Graça Machel, Hina Jilani, Mary Robinson, Ernesto Zedillo and Kofi Annan explain why The Elders have launched a new initiative to campaign for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

"When the Security Council fails, the United Nations fails"

To mark the first World Humanitarian Summit, five Elders are joined by Amnesty International and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect to call for veto restraint and increased cooperation amongst the Permanent Members of

UHC explained: Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals

UHC is the best way to achieve the health Sustainable Development Goal. Countries should plan and implement strategies to reach UHC in an equitable way, as the best way to achieve the overall Sustainable Development Goal on health.

UHC explained: Universal Health Coverage delivers substantial health, economic and political benefits

As successful UHC reforms are dependent on increased public financing and sustained political commitment, we call on the global development community to promote the economic and political benefits of UHC to political leaders and ministers of finance.

UHC explained: Women, children and adolescents as a UHC priority

Countries should implement UHC strategies that move swiftly to full population coverage in an equitable way, giving a high priority to meeting the needs of women, children and adolescents.

UHC explained: Public financing is the key to UHC

Governments and global development should implement UHC financing strategies that increase levels of public financing and reduce the role of inefficient and inequitable private financing mechanisms, especially health service user fees.

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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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