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Speeches and Discussions

Nature must no longer be a silent victim of war

20 November 2024

Mary Robinson highlights the environmental impact of conflicts during the Ukraine Pavilion panel at COP29

Elders Statements

Failure to respect rule of law risks collapse of global stability

30 October 2024

The Elders today express their alarm at the escalating crises facing the world and urge leaders to uphold the rule of law

Elders Statements

The Elders call for strong international leadership on AI governance after Summit of the Future

The Elders call for continued leadership from the UN and member states to drive forward inclusive global governance of AI

Speeches and Discussions

The current failure of leadership is not gender neutral

Mary Robinson delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address at Geneva Peace Week 2024, calling for greater respect for humanitarian law and gender parity in leadership.

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 Statements

The Elders call for UN-backed independent commission to probe Venezuela election

The Elders voice grave concern at the worsening political situation in Venezuela and urge the UN to investigate the 28 July election

However devastating the climate and nature crisis is, we are not helpless against it

Mary Robinson joined the G20 Interfaith Forum on Religion and Sustainable Development as a special guest speaker

Speeches and Discussions

A first step to peace in eastern DRC?

Mary Robinson and fellow international envoys welcome the end of hostilities between the M23 rebel group and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mary Robinson and international envoys visit the Great Lakes to de-escalate tensions

After visiting Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda last week, Mary Robinson and fellow international envoys have issued a joint statement condemning recent violence and calling on armed groups to work towards a political solution.

Towards peace in the Great Lakes: a Framework of Hope

Politically Speaking, the United Nations Department of Political Affairs’ news bulletin, explores Mary Robinson’s work in the African Great Lakes region, explaining how the “Framework of Hope” can bring peace to the DRC and surrounding countries.

Peace, power and patriarchy in Africa’s Great Lakes

“Women can no longer accept peace deals that reward the men who raped them with a position in the army. Impunity only leads to more sexual violence.” Gogo Kavira, eastern Congo
From community leaders and journalists to female army generals, women acr

Sans les femmes, pas de paix dans les Grands Lacs!

“Les femmes sont mieux à même de jouer un rôle clé pour assurer une paix durable.“
Dans une tribune parue dans Jeune Afrique, Mary Robinson affirme que les femmes œuvrant pour la sécurité et le développement dans les Grands Lacs sont le meill

Climate change is a human rights issue

“We have the awareness, the knowledge, and the expertise to do something about climate change.”
Writing for The Mark News, Mary Robinson argues that to address climate change, we must recognise that it is fundamentally a human rights issue, affecting

Glimmers of hope: Elders talk peace in Washington and London

The Elders concluded their visit to Washington DC and London encouraged and impressed by US efforts to revive the Middle East peace process. During a series of high-level meetings, media interviews and public debates, they discussed the prospects for peac

Women take ownership of Great Lakes peace efforts

"Women's leadership matters and must be at the heart of the peace process in the DRC." Mary RobinsonAt the invitation of UN Special Envoy Mary Robinson, women from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region meet in Burundi to discuss th

Elders Statements

Child marriage and US foreign policy

A chance to restore peace in DRC

Kofi Annan writes to African heads of state to express The Elders’ support for peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, encouraging leaders to work closely with UN Special Envoy Mary Robinson.

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

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.

Le Conseil des droits de l'homme doit serrer la vis au Sri Lanka

"Nous soutenons la mise en place d’une enquête internationale crédible et indépendante sur les violations présumées des droits de l’homme au Sri Lanka"
Quatre ans après la fin de la guerre civile au Sri Lanka, le climat est loin d'être propice

African women driving change

“The 21st century is Africa’s century”
From the women peace-builders telling senior African Union officials “enough is enough” to the activists demanding justice for victims of sexual violence: Mary Robinson blogs about the inspiring women she

“We need more women leaders.” Mary Robinson calls for a greater role for women in peace building

Mary Robinson has been in Addis Ababa for the binannual meeting of the Gender is My Agenda Campaign, to meet Sudanese and South Sudanese women leaders, and stress the importance of involving women in the peace process between the two nations.

Protecting fundamental freedoms, online and offline

"The more we grow accustomed to voicing our opinions online, the more we resist being silenced."In a blog for Skoll World Forum on Human Rights Day 2012, Mary Robinson argues that we must protect the internet as a space where fundamental freedoms prevai

L’Europe peut encore restaurer sa crédibilité au Proche Orient

Les Elders appellent l’Union européenne à faire pression sur Israël pour mettre fin à l’expansion des colonies en Cisjordanie. Dans une tribune publiée par Libération, ils estiment que l’Europe, en prenant des mesures concernant l’importatio

'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

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

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

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

From Juba to Brussels: our meetings with EU leaders

“Our visit was very timely; just a few days ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting at which Sudan and South Sudan would be on the agenda.” 
Mary Robinson blogs about visiting Brussels a week after travelling to Ethiopia and South S

Encouraging the path of peace for Sudan and South Sudan

Following the May 2012 visit to Sudan by Jimmy Carter and Lakhdar Brahimi, in July 2012 Desmond Tutu, Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson travelled to the region to further encourage peace efforts between Sudan and South Sudan.

Inspiring positive action for Mandela Day

Taking place on 18 July, Mandela Day is inspired by the 67 years that Nelson Mandela gave fighting for justice and human rights and encourages people around the world to give 67 minutes of their time to serve their communities.
During their visit to Lond

Five years of working together for peace and human rights: The Elders in London

In July 2012, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson visited London where they took part in a public debate at the Barbican to commemorate the five years since Nelson Mandela founded The Elders. They also held meetings with the UK Foreign Secretary

Finding resilience in a fragile place: the Elders visit Yusuf Batil

"We came to show our solidarity to Blue Nile refugees and to underscore our call for peace" – Desmond Tutu.As the people of South Sudan celebrated their first year of independence, three Elders travelled to the region to encourage dialogue between Sud

Under critical strain: our visit to Yusuf Batil refugee camp

“The camp, which did not exist two months ago, is remarkably well organised. And yet the international community is not doing enough to support them.”
Exactly one year since South Sudan gained its independence, Mary Robinson blogs about the Elders' v

Interview: Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu on Sudan & South Sudan

During their visit to London last week Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson were interviewed by CNN's Becky Anderson about their upcoming trip to Sudan & South Sudan, the current situation there, and what they hoped to achieve. 

The Elders on The World Tonight

“What can The Elders do that other groups and organisations, like the UN, can't do?”As The Elders celebrate five years since Nelson Mandela founded the organisation, Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson join Robin Lustig on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonig

Was Rio+20 a failure of political leadership?

"If government representatives had heard the heartfelt yearning for change, perhaps they would have given their negotiators a stronger mandate: a mandate to create the future we want and which the earth needs."Writing for CNN, Mary Robinson echoes the f

Video Q&A: Elders+Youngers in Rio

As world leaders gather in Brazil for Rio+20, the Elders and Youngers answer your questions on sustainable development, the world we want and how we can achieve it.Watch the Q&A videos of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Mary Robinson and Gro Harlem

Are girls better at saving the planet than boys?

"We think ahead. We are practical. We are inherently more likely to think inter-generationally."In a new Elders+Youngers debate, Mary Robinson argues that because women suffer disproportionately from poverty and social inequality, they are more likely t

How to create the change we want?

“The Elders' generation got agreements signed and solutions designed. But let’s be honest here: most actions for sustainable development are cosmetic, ignorant or thwarted.”27-year old Swedish activist Sara argues for a more radical approach. Exac

Our duty to Sri Lanka, and human rights

Writing in The Guardian as the UN Human Rights Council session opens in Geneva, Archbishop Tutu and Mary Robinson say it is not just Sri Lanka's people that the Council must serve this week, but the cause of international law.

Interview: UN former official Mary Robinson looks at Egypt 'between optimism and deep concern'

In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram, Mary Robinson says that the ruling military authorities need to transfer power as soon as possible and that the next constitution of Egypt needs to be representative of all segments of the Egyptian soc

Women must be at the heart of the new Egypt

As Egyptians celebrate the first anniversary of the uprising that removed Hosni Mubarak from power, Mary Robinson argues that it is time to challenge the patriarchal norms that continue to restrict women's political participation – and that Egypt's futu

Climate change: Durban deal is a step forward

"The fact that the Durban Platform deal has a target of 2015 is, at last, recognition of the urgency of the issue facing us."Mary Robinson expresses her relief at the outcome of the Durban Climate Change Conference, and calls for ambition to move the wo

We are stronger together: the transformative power of human connection

Traditions can change: ending child marriage

Report: The Elders’ visit to the Korean Peninsula and China, April 2011

In April 2011, the Elders visited China and the Korean Peninsula.

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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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