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Speeches and Discussions

Event: Upholding the nuclear taboo in a changing world order

Intergenerational dialogue on nuclear threats with Elders and youth activists.

Annual Review 2024: Long-view leadership for long-term threats

The Elders' 2024 Annual Review is now available to download. It highlights our activities from the past year, including meetings with world leaders, visits to ten countries, and the promotion of long-view leadership.

We are recruiting: Director of Programmes and Deputy CEO

Leaders must uphold scientific integrity over political opportunism

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland discusses how disinformation threatens pandemic preparedness

Pandemic Preparedness: A Collective Responsibility for a Safer Future

The second blog in a collaborative series between the United Nations Youth Office and The Elders, focused on pandemic preparedness

Elders Statements

The Elders urge immediate end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza and resumption of ceasefire

Juan Manuel Santos

The Elders call for an immediate end to Israel’s latest military assault and urge a credible diplomatic peace process.

It’s time for a woman to serve as UN Secretary-General

Elbegdorj Tsakhia reflects on the shifting geopolitical landscape and urges that women’s voices be at the forefront of global decision-making.

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

Elders Statements

سوريا: الحكماء يعبرون عن "عميق غضبهم" حيال فشل الجميع في وقف المذابح

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

Elders Statements

The Elders pay tribute to Kofi Annan’s courage and dedication in his Syria peace effort

"Nobody could have taken up the mantle in such an unforgiving context, with as much courage, dedication and humility." Desmond Tutu
The Elders urge the international community to unite to help end the Syrian crisis, following Kofi Annan's announcement th

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

Early marriage robs children of their opportunities

"With or without legislation, we urge the Obama administration to make eliminating child marriage a foreign policy goal."
Writing in the Washington Post, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu say we are not doing enough to fulfil our responsibility to protect y

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

Rio+20 didn’t go far enough - what now?

“Before the conference, you asked me what I wanted to see at Rio+20. I told you that I wanted world leaders to step up, look into each others’ eyes and recognise the urgency, recognise what is at stake. Did this happen? I don’t think so.”Gro Har

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.

Give 67 minutes to change the world on Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. His birthday, 18 July, is celebrated as Mandela Day – a day where people can offer 67 minutes of their time to make a difference in the lives of others. Inspired by Mandela Da

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

South Sudan’s peace dividends: the short and long term goals

“While outsiders such as the AU and the UN can help, what is crucial is for the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan to talk directly and build mutual trust; the task cannot be left to anybody else”
Martti Ahtisaari argues that Sudan and South Sudan need

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

Bringing intergenerational dialogue to Rio+20

“You have not told us to 'calm down', that we don't need to be radical; you have instead told us that we have the power to make change happen – and that is what we need to hear!” Sara Svensson
In June 2012, following eight weeks of online deba

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

Elders Statements

الحكماء يهنؤون جنوب السودان بعيد إستقلالها الأول

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. 

Elders Statements

The Elders visit South Sudan in sombre mood and urge continued dialogue with Khartoum

“Dialogue is the only way to resolve differences and to build two viable states; military force is a dead-end, promising nothing but suffering and misery” – Desmond TutuIn a meeting today with President Salva Kiir, and as South Sudan prepares

End the suffering in the Sudans

"We are already witnessing an unbearable catastrophe with the fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan in Sudan, and the ensuing outpouring of refugees into South Sudan and Ethiopia."Writing from Addis Ababa at the start of an Elders delegation to Sudan

Celebrating five years of The Elders

Marking five years since Nelson Mandela founded The Elders, Intelligence Squared hosted an event with Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu in conversation with Jon Snow at the Barbican in London on Monday 2 July 2012. Watch the video of the evenin

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

Media advisory: Desmond Tutu and fellow Elders to visit South Sudan and Sudan to encourage peace efforts

Press Conference in Juba on Friday 6 JulyPress Conference in Khartoum on Tuesday 10 JulyDesmond Tutu, Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson visit Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan to support the African Union-led peace talks and to draw attention to the grow

Elders Statements

Reflecting on Mandela’s mission and the global challenges ahead

Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu visit London
Three Elders are in London this week to further their work on some of the biggest issues facing the world today. They will be engaging with the public, meeting parliamentarians and, in the spirit

Forging a peace plan for Syria

“It is time for all who have influence on the parties, and all who bear responsibility for international peace and security, to act positively for peace.”
Writing in the Washington Post, Kofi Annan calls on the international community to support Syri

Celebrating Mandela Day by building a better world

In celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy, Mandela Day encourages all of us to make a difference in our communities. In advance of Mandela Day, three Elders will spend time with grassroots organisations in London and speak at a public event abo

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

A cruel and unusual record

Elders Statements

Rio+20 is not the response we need to safeguard people and the planet

“This is a ‘once in a generation’ moment when the world needs vision, commitment and above all, leadership. Sadly, the current document is a failure of leadership." Mary RobinsonThe Elders welcome provisions for global Sustainable Development Goal

Tackling poverty and inequality must be at the heart of Rio+20

"We cannot continue to live as we do now."
Writing as Global Ambassador for Oxfam International as Rio+20 begins, Desmond Tutu reflects on the achievements of the first Rio Earth Summit twenty years ago and calls for strong, unequivocal political co

Earth Agonistes

"Like no other generation before, we can choose the type of future that we will leave to the next generation. A transition to a safe and prosperous future is possible, but will require the full use of humanity’s extraordinary capacity for innovation and

Elders Statements

The success or failure of Rio+20 will be a defining moment for today’s youth

"There are 3.5 billion people under the age of 30 in the world today – half the global population. It is their future that is at stake in Rio, not ours." Fernando Henrique Cardoso
As world leaders gather in Brazil for the Rio+20 summit, both Elders and

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

Elders+Youngers: it's our future, it's our time

Four Elders and four Youngers. Seven billion people, one planet and one future.Join Elders+Youngers as they take the debate to Rio, where world leaders will come together to decide the planet we leave for future generations.

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