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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

This is President Lula’s moment to cement his status as a global climate leader

Graça Machel Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

19 November 2024

Graça Machel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf write for Le Monde Diplomatique Brasil, urging President Lula to lead the G20 in advancing climate justice

Graça Machel warns of signs of ethnic cleansing in Gaza

Graça Machel warns of alarming signs of ethnic cleansing in Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe

World leaders must reject the path of chaos

Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos reflects on his new role as Chair of The Elders, highlights discussions from the recent board meeting in London, and calls on world leaders to act responsibly amid escalating global conflicts

Juan Manuel Santos named new Chair of The Elders

Juan Manuel Santos

The former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate will become The Elders’ fourth Chair

Elders Statements

Failure to respect rule of law risks collapse of global stability

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

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

21 October 2024

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

Elders Statements

#NuclearThreat: a call for minimisation

Ban Ki-moon, Ernesto Zedillo, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Mary Robinson explain why all nuclear powers must pursue policies of nuclear minimisation, to preserve peace for future generations.

Elders Statements

The Elders propose ‘minimisation agenda’ as urgent first step to nuclear disarmament

The Elders today called on all nuclear powers to take urgent steps towards nuclear disarmament, in the form of a “minimisation” agenda, to counter a dangerous rise in geopolitical tensions and distrust between states.

Nuclear powers must get serious about disarmament, and act now to prevent unparalleled devastation

The Elders advocate a "minimisation" agenda to further the cause of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and safeguard peace.

The women taking on India's domestic violence epidemic

As The Elders launch a new programme on Access to Justice, Elca Grobler, founder of Indian NGO My Choices Foundation writes of the importance of addressing the profound global injustice of violence against women.

Speeches and Discussions

Access to Justice: closing the gap

At the launch of The Elders' new programme on Access to Justice, Mary Robinson explains why the time is right for a new push for justice for all.

The Elders' Access to Justice programme launch

The Elders are launching a new programme on Access to Justice because without justice, the SDGs cannot be achieved.

Speeches and Discussions

New technology as a disruptive global force

Gro Harlem Brundtland addresses the Youth and Leaders Summit at Sciences Po on the challenges posed by new technology.

Elders Statements

Juan Manuel Santos se suma a The Elders

The Elders se complace en anunciar que Juan Manuel Santos, ex Presidente de Colombia y Premio Nobel de la Paz 2016, se ha incorporado a la organización.

The Elders welcome Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Juan Manuel Santos and Zeid Raad Al Hussein

The Elders announced three new members today: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Juan Manuel Santos and Zeid Raad Al Hussein.

Elders Statements

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Juan Manuel Santos and Zeid Raad Al Hussein join The Elders

The Elders announced today with great pleasure that three new members have joined the group: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate 2011; Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate 2016;

Speeches and Discussions

Putting human rights at the heart of sustainable development

Mary Robinson describes how promoting and protecting human rights and progress towards the realisation of the SDGs are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.

We must not succumb to fatalism or despair in 2019

Mary Robinson reflects on the events on 2018 and looks forward to the Elders priorities for the coming year: climate change and nuclear proliferation.

100 Ideas for a Freer, Fairer World from 100 Sparks of Hope

The Elders chose to honour the 100th anniversary of their founder Nelson Mandela by celebrating 100 Sparks of Hope.

2018: A year in review

2018 has been a momentous year for The Elders. Have a look back at our activities this year.

Tracking the transition to a sustainable future

Credible information is key to those advocating for a sustainable world. James Browning and Ted Nace explain how CoalSwarm’s tools power understanding of where the transition to sustainable energy supplies is working – and where it isn’t.

Trip Report: Elders delegation to Kuwait in July 2018

In July 2018, The Elders visited Kuwait at the invitation of the country’s Emir, to exchange views on regional political and security issues, especially the tensions around Iran, the Yemen conflict and the year-old dispute inside the GCC.

Why public finance is key to delivering the human right to health

Writing for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Ban Ki-moon calls on leaders to demonstrate the political will required to achieve public financed health systems.

Steps Toward a Lasting Peace on the Korean Peninsula

On 28 September 2018, the National Committee on North Korea (NCNK) and The Elders convened a meeting of distinguished experts and practitioners to discuss the evolving situation concerning North Korea.

Elders Statements

The Elders challenge leaders to confront migration lies and make UN deal a success

The Elders welcome the signing of the United Nations Global Compact for Migration, and urge politicians, media and civil society to recognise the realities of our globalised world and respect the human rights of people on the move.

What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mean in today’s fractured world?

Graça Machel reflects on 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the continued abuses tearing lives apart from Yemen to Venezuela.

Ignore the lies about the UN Migration pact. It's the only responsible solution to a changing world

Writing in TIME, Mary Robinson calls on leaders to recognise the realities of our globalized world and embrace the sovereignty that the UN Global Compact on Migration provides.

Mary Robinson joins filmmakers shining a light on the urgent human rights issues of today

In her role as Honorary President, Mary Robinson joined filmmakers to celebrate several short films highlighting key human rights issues affecting people across the world today.

World leaders must recommit to UN global values to achieve peace and security

Martti Ahtisaari reflects on his time working with The Elders and stresses the importance of international cooperation and shared values.

Speeches and Discussions

Mary Robinson: leading The Elders into its second decade

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, reflects on the key challenges facing the group as it enters its second decade, and how it will continue to build on Nelson Mandela's vision of a freer, fairer world.

Elders Statements

The Elders demand urgent climate action at G20 summit

The Elders demand urgent climate action at G20 summit

Elders Statements

Martti Ahtisaari steps down from The Elders

Martti Ahtisaari, Nobel peace laureate and former President of Finland, has stepped down as an active member of The Elders.

Elders Statements

The Elders encourage full implementation of Colombian peace deal

Writing to the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, The Elders welcomed his commitment to the peace agreement signed by his predecessor Juan Manuel Santos and encouraged its full implementation to further the causes of peace and reconciliation.

The filmmakers standing up for human rights

A selection of one-minute films from The Mobile Film Festival highlighting the most pressing human rights issues of today.

Without traditional knowledge, there is no climate change solution

Ahead of the Climate Vulnerable Forum's virtual summit, indigenous peoples' champion Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim insists that those already living with the reality of climate change must be integral in decision making.

Speeches and Discussions

The time for talking is over: a call to action on climate change and planetary health

Mary Robinson underscores the interlinking challenges of climate change and planetary health, during a keynote address to the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) on 14 November in Doha.

Climate Vulnerable Countries take the lead in the fight against climate change despite low emissions and limited resources

Ahead of the Climate Vulnerable Forum's Virtual Summit, Hala Kilani, of the Climate Action Network underscores the urgent need for collective climate action.

Mary Robinson outlines priorities in her new role as Chair of The Elders

Mary Robinson reflects on her appointment as Chair of The Elders and our recent board meeting in London. In this, her first public message, she calls for holistic leadership that places the interests of ordinary people centre stage.

Taking the lead on Human Rights

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Elders joined together with the British Council and SOAS to debate the future of human rights and ethical leadership.

Elders Statements

Mary Robinson appointed new Chair of The Elders

The former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will become The Elders’ third Chair.

Elders Statements

The Elders call on Sri Lanka’s leaders to uphold constitutional law

The Elders express grave concern at the situation in Sri Lanka following President Maithripala Sirisena’s unconstitutional decision to dismiss Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspend Parliament.

Elders Statements

The Elders call on UN Security Council to take urgent, credible action to lift Yemen blockade

As the three major powers backing the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen, The Elders call on the UK, the US and France to take urgent action to bring an end to the blockade of Yemen and avert a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.

Mary Robinson named Honorary President of human rights film festival

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Mobile Film Festival will showcase films with the theme: Stand Up for Human Rights. 

Event: Challenging Human Rights Leadership

Marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Elders will join former UN High Commissioners and young leaders to discuss the future of human rights and ethical leadership.

The student movement shaking the fossil fuel industry

Better Future Project's Campus Organisers Alyssa Lee and Rachel Schlueter reflect on lessons from the student fossil fuel divestment movement and prove building a generation of young people committed to climate justice is critical.

Climate change is a global health catastrophe

Ricardo Lagos explains the threat climate change poses to global health.

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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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