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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.

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

Elbegdorj Tsakhia

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

Speeches and Discussions

Cooperation isn’t utopian - it works

At the Tokyo Conference 2025, Helen Clark warned that rising nuclear risks and the breakdown of multilateral cooperation are threatening global security

Juan Manuel Santos urges inclusive peace talks for Ukraine's future

24 February 2025

Three years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Juan Manuel Santos urges world leaders to stand firm on justice, accountability and Ukrainian sovereignty.

2016: a year for passionate intensity and positive change

Reflecting on the events of the past year, Kofi Annan calls on our current generation of leaders to show conviction to achieve positive change for in 2016.

As COP21 ends, the fight for responsible politics begins

Our Head of International Media William French returns from a successful COP21 and argues that politicians and the press need to talk honestly about the tough choices ahead to make the global climate deal work.

Paris agreement gives us momentum to build on

At the successful conclusion of the COP21 climate summit, Mary Robinson welcomes the new Paris Agreement, giving the world the opportunity to create a sustainable future.

An agreement for humanity: the Elders welcome COP21 climate deal

The Elders congratulate the signatories of the COP21 climate deal in Paris for reaching “an agreement for humanity” which, if implemented fully and in good faith, could herald a turning point in the fight against climate change, poverty and injustice.

Venezuelans to be congratulated for their deep commitment to democratic practice

The Elders congratulate the Venezuelan people on the recent election result and calls on all parties to address challenges that arise through appropriate legal channels.

A stronger UN means empowered human rights defenders

To mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, Hina Jilani argues that a stronger UN would deliver more universally implemented human rights. And this year, both are needed more than ever.

Palestinian rights are human rights

The Elders' Policy and Advocacy Director Andrew Whitley considers the link between International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November and the Human Rights Day on 10 December and explains why the need to uphold Palestinian rights sh

COP21: hopes are high that Paris will be a turning point for climate change

As the COP21 climate summit approaches its final week, Mary Robinson and Gro Harlem Brundtland spoke to the BBC World Service about their hopes and fears for Paris.

Palestine Refugees in Syria: A Recurring Tragedy

Refugees for over six decades, Palestinians in Syria face a precarious legal status given the civil war and renewed displacement. Mai Abu Moghli – a PhD candidate at the Institute of Education, University of London explains how some are falling through

How young people can combat violence against women

Violence against women is sometimes justified by abusers and perpetrators as a matter of ‘honour’. In this guest blog to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, youth activist Arifa Nasim from London explains how she

How can we deter our young from the lure of violent extremism?

In the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, the need to understand why our young are lured to violent extremism is more acute than ever. Our Middle East Analyst, Nigel Pearce recently attended a conference in Spain on ‘Preventing and Counterin

Four vital requirements to reach COP21 deal

World leaders are meeting in Paris to reach an agreement on climate change. The Elders have called for a strong, inclusive and equitable climate agreement in Paris. Here are four vital elements that The Elders are calling for leaders to resolve at COP21.

G20 Antalya Summit: The Elders' letter to leaders on climate change

The Elders have written to world leaders attending the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. They call for strong leadership to ensure an equitable and ambitious international agreement on climate change in Paris in December.

The Elders urge G20 leaders to commit to a strong, inclusive and equitable climate deal

The Elders have written to the G20 heads of state and government on the need for a strong and just climate agreement at COP 21 in Paris.

Who has the courage to protect refugees?

Hina Jilani, back from a series of meetings in Evian and Geneva, expresses her grave concern with the lack of political will to protect refugees during the current crisis and calls on political leaders to show more courage.

Show political courage over the refugee crisis

The Elders urge European leaders to show political courage over the refugee crisis in a debate with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and the Director General of the International Organization for Migration Bill Swing.

Refugee Crisis: how language contributes to the fate of refugees

Europe is currently facing a crisis of conscience as refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East and Africa seek asylum. Michael Diedring and John Dorber of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles explain how calculated use of language on the crisis

Syrian Refugee Crisis: towards new global coordination

On 27 October, The Elders will debate the lessons of the ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Director General of the International Organization of Migration. Follow on Twitter: #RefugeeCrisis

How can the next Secretary-General secure the UN's future?

The Elders mark the UN's 70th anniversary by pressing for a more transparent Secretary-General selection process.

Why is climate action a justice issue of our time?

As the final round of climate negotiations before Paris begin today in Bonn, John Schellnhuber, founding Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research argues that if tomorrow won’t take care of itself, we need to take responsibility

The UN at 70: Has our global experiment worked?

On 9 October, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Hina Jilani marked the seventieth anniversary of the UN, with its High Commissioner for Human Rights at an event hosted by the United Nations Association - UK in London’s historic Guildhall.

Building momentum on global issues in New York

Last week, world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly. Four Elders travelled to the city to participate in the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and host bilateral events on strengthening the UN.

The Elders and Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect call upon the UN Security Council to act to prevent mass atrocity crimes

Gro Harlem Brundtland and Hina Jilani joined others in calling for members of the UN Security Council to work collaboratively to enforce international law.

The tipping point for human rights

At 12.30pm EDT on Sunday, two Elders will be taking part in the 2015 Social Good Summit, in an event live streamed to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Tune in to watch it live.

What do you see?

In our final film, the Chair of the Elders, Kofi Annan recalls a pivotal lesson where he was taught through a simple exercise to look at the bigger picture - a fundamental requirement when wrestling with what is fair in the modern world. Join our conversa

The pot economy

With the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in two days, Ela Bhatt shows us her Object of Fairness. Send us your object on Facebook or Twitter.

A dividing line

Jimmy Carter, in our fifth of seven films, describes his Object of Fairness. Join in the discussion yourself on Facebook or Twitter.

Four reasons why people think Iran wants the bomb

In the wake of the potentially historic nuclear agreement of 14 July 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 countries, those opposed to the deal – in the US and elsewhere – continue to assume that Iran has been working to acquire nuclear weapons for years, an

Elders in New York: building a stronger UN

Watch live: On 26 September Gro Harlem Brundtland, Hina Jilani and Ernesto Zedillo join experts, diplomats and UN officials to debate how to strengthen the UN.

Brazilian dreams

Fernando Henrique Cardoso, in our fourth film on fairness, looks at events in his lifetime and explains the object that to him represents fairness. Join in the discussion yourself on Facebook or Twitter.

In the third film leading up to the launch of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, Hina Jilani describes how important it is to be resilient when pushing for change. Join in the discussion yourself on Facebook or Twitter.

An extraordinary quality

Our second of seven films on fairness is presented by Mary Robinson. Below she explains why the UDHR is so important to her that she carries it wherever she goes. Join in the discussion yourself on Facebook or Twitter.

In our first of seven films leading up to the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals, Martti Ahtisaari describes his object and what fairness means to him. Join in the discussion yourself on Facebook or Twitter.

One flaw in the Sustainable Development Goals may make the difference between success and failure

Frances Stewart, Emeritus Professor of development economics at the University of Oxford and former Chair of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy, wonders if the weak coupling between economic growth and sustainability will do enough to cha

Securing a sustainable future

Writing for Project Syndicate, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Graça Machel call on world leaders attending the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in September to commit to putting the words of the Goals into action, justly and effectively.

What is fairness in the 21st century?

The Sustainable Development Goals will be launched on 24 September in New York. Martti Ahtisaari considers one fundamental value that underpins them all: fairness. And asks whether our understanding of what fairness means has changed in the 21st Century.

Martti Ahtisaari: the mediator

Martti Ahtisaari discusses his life and work as a global peacemaker and the challenges that face peace negotiators in today’s conflict zones.

A warning from the frontline of climate change

Leaders of the Pacific Islands are meeting this week to discuss the urgency of addressing climate change. Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade, former Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, believes that the best protection against devastating

A stronger UN: The Elders hold high-level talks in Liechtenstein

As the UN celebrates its 70th year, three Elders travelled to Liechtenstein to participate in high-level discussions on strengthening the organisation with a distinguished and diverse group of experts.

The Elders urge world leaders to take bold and decisive action on climate in 2015

Ahead of the UN Sustainable Development Goals summit, The Elders call on world leaders to agree on a common approach that yields a “radical and sustainable” plan to tackle climate change.

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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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