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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

Kofi Annan: "We cannot keep consuming as if there's no tomorrow"

At an Elders debate in Oxford last week, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson respond to questions about climate change and urge young people to mobilise ahead of a major climate conference in Paris in 2015.

Debate highlights: how do you speak truth to power?

End impunity for honour killings

21st century peacebuilding

The Elders will discuss a range of issues – from conflict and sectarianism to good governance and women’s role in peacebuilding – at a debate this week in Oxford, UK.
Find out how you can follow the event and send in your questions for the Elders.

Jimmy Carter, l'homme à femmes

"All of my passion and all of my strength will go into this, for the rest of my life."
In an interview with Annick Cojean from M, Le Monde’s magazine, Jimmy Carter discusses his work to end discrimination and abuses against women and his new book on th

What is 'carbon neutrality' – and how can we achieve it by 2050?

"Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires unprecedented political will and cooperation – but it's not impossible."Climate policy expert Farhana Yamin explains what becoming 'carbon neutral' means and how we can make it happen.

In pictures: Bethlehem under threat

“No one has tried to tell the story of my town beyond the stereotypes of the Nativity or the brutality of military occupation.”Ahead of the Pope’s visit to Bethlehem this week, Palestinian filmmaker Leila Sansour warns that the city's tradition of

A year in review: The Elders’ 2013 Annual Report

CEO of The Elders Lesley-Anne Knight presents our 2013 Annual Report, a review of our challenges and achievements during a year of transition for the organisation.

With equality for all, the union will be stronger

Naw K’nyaw Paw, Secretary of the Karen Women’s Organization, describes her work to empower women and explains the Karen people’s decades-long struggle for equality in Myanmar.

Lakhdar Brahimi steps down as special envoy to Syria

"I’m sure that the Syria crisis will end. The question is only this: how many more dead? How much more destruction?" 
Announcing his resignation as Joint Special Representative for Syria yesterday, Lakhdar Brahimi and Ban Ki-moon gave a joint pres

United Palestinian government may provide new opportunities for peace

The US-led Middle East peace talks were suspended on 29 April. Writing in The Washington Post, Jimmy Carter argues that reconciliation between Palestinian factions could provide an opportunity for a new round of negotiations.

Ukraine clashes risk a dangerous 'tug of war'

Kofi Annan: Russia, US and EU should make common cause to defuse the Ukraine crisisThe Elders call for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

مجموعة الحكماء تناشد المحاكم المصرية بإلغاء أحكام الإعدام

كوفي عنان: هذه الأحكام لا تحقق المعايير الدولية المقبولة وقد تثير المزيد من الاضطرابات في مصر

Report: The Elders’ visit to Myanmar, 23-28 March 2014

"We hope we have adequately reflected the views expressed by many people to The Elders regarding the continuing challenges faced by the Myanmar people."The Elders' CEO Lesley-Anne Knight introduces the report from The Elders’ recent visit to Myanmar.

We can eradicate the kerosene lamp from Africa by 2020

“Kerosene is costly, it smells bad, the light is dim, the smoke hurts the eyes. It was that or darkness.”When her uncle bought a solar lamp, Cynaidah Mideva from Nairobi, Kenya, discovered the dangers of climate change and what can be done to halt i

ה-Elders מריעים להסכם הפיוס הפלסטיני

Elders climate debate: the view from Twitter

Why are The Elders focusing on climate change? Which countries are showing real leadership on the issue? And how can young people mobilise fellow citizens and push their leaders to take stronger action?Jimmy Carter and Hina Jilani discussed these questi

Si la jeunesse ne s’exprime pas sur le climat, personne ne le fera à sa place

« Les faits scientifiques sont établis, mais nos dirigeants continuent à faire la sourde oreille. »
Aglaé Jézéquel et Noella Nsamwa du think-and-do-tank étudiant CliMates, expliquent comment elles ont rejoint la lutte contre le changement climati

Qui prendra les rênes de la lutte contre le changement climatique ?

« Les jeunes recevront notre planète en héritage. Nous les exhortons à ne pas sous-estimer leur pouvoir, leur influence et leur responsabilité. »
Dans un article pour le Huffington Post, Jimmy Carter et Mary Robinson invitent la jeunesse à se mobi

Avis aux médias: Les Elders en visite à Paris les 22 et 23 avril 2014

Jimmy Carter, Hina Jilani et Mary Robinson se rendront à Paris les 22 et 23 avril 2014 pour des entretiens avec le gouvernement français et des représentants de la société civile. Ils participeront aussi à un débat public sur les changements climat

Climate change, leadership and young people: join the debate

How can we make sure world leaders take the bold action needed to tackle climate change – and what can young people do to spark political momentum?Join the discussion with The Elders, students and climate activists next Tuesday.

Myanmar: finding a shared vision, building trust

'Brave acts of wisdom': conversations with the Elders

“My Elders colleagues and I have had a chance to ask ourselves what wisdom our own lives, and careers, may offer others.” Jimmy CarterA series of Elders interviews with Japanese journalist Mayumi Yoshinari has been published today in book form.

The Elders support Palestinian move to sign international treaties

“This move should not be seen as a blow to the peace talks” – Jimmy CarterConcerned by the impasse in peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, The Elders welcome Mahmoud Abbas' decision to sign the Geneva Conventions and other importa

Women, religion, violence and power

“There’s no possible way to find a verse in the Bible where Jesus indicates any inferiority of women compared to men.”Following the publication of his book A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power, Jimmy Carter gave a series of media

Myanmar: ‘To overcome the mistrust, it takes time’

How can Myanmar's peace process become more inclusive – and what can the international community do to help?
Martti Ahtisaari and Gro Harlem Brundtland speak to Nyein Nyein and Lin Thant from The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar’s grassroots should have a role in national reforms, peace talks

“We heard concerns that citizens’ perspectives are not being taken into account.” Gro Harlem BrundtlandAfter meeting with Myanmar government officials and civil society groups, The Elders call for greater inclusiveness and trust-building in Myanma

A call to action: end discrimination against women

"We are calling on all those with influence to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices – in religious and secular life – that justify discrimination against women."
In an excerpt from his new book, Jimmy Carter discusses The Elders'

Media advisory: The Elders to visit Myanmar and Thailand on 24-28 March

Gro Harlem Brundtland and Martti Ahtisaari will spend five days in Myanmar and Thailand. With Myanmar opening up politically and economically, The Elders aim to promote inclusive governance and socio-economic justice.

The Elders urge the EU to deploy a stabilisation force in the CAR

“Europe must not lose sight of the tragedy unfolding in the Central African Republic” – Kofi AnnanThe Elders call on European leaders to fulfil their pledge to help protect civilians and halt violent clashes in the CAR.

Appel pour un leadership européen en matière de changement climatique

“La lutte contre le changement climatique est dans l’intérêt économique de L’Europe. Elle lui offre aussi l’occasion de déployer au mieux son leadership.”
Dans une tribune parue dans Libération, Mary Robinson et Desmond Tutu appellent les

Solidarity #withSyria

The Syria conflict has killed more than 140,000 people. As the crisis enters its fourth year, campaigners worldwide are mobilising public pressure to push for an end to the bloodshed.

Stories of hope and resilience in Syria

Closing the gender gap

"For global development to be sustainable, the issues of climate change, gender equality and food security must all go hand-in-hand."Mary Robinson calls on international agencies to break out of the 'boxes' that constrain policy making and adopt a cli

“To denigrate women is to spit in the face of God”

Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter spent an hour responding to questions on women’s rights yesterday, in The Elders’ first ever live Twitter Q&A for International Women’s Day 2014.

#AskElders: Twitter Q&A on women's rights

To mark International Women’s Day 2014, Jimmy Carter, Hina Jilani and Desmond Tutu will answer questions in The Elders’ first ever live Twitter chat.

The Elders urge world powers to uphold Ukraine’s territorial integrity

“The use of force and any further loss of life should be avoided at all costs.” Kofi AnnanThe Elders express deep concern at the crisis in Ukraine and urge all parties to resolve their differences peacefully.

Some rare good news on Syria

"The Elders will closely follow whether, and how, these promising words are put into action."Lesley-Anne Knight, CEO of The Elders, welcomes Saturday's diplomatic breakthrough on Syria at the UN Security Council.

La paix est à notre portée dans les Grands Lacs

“Pour la première fois depuis des années, les femmes et les enfants de l’Est de la RDC ont un infime espoir de pouvoir vivre et travailler sans la crainte permanente du conflit, de violences sexuelles ou de viols.”
Mary Robinson, Envoyée spéci

Elders Statements

The Elders call for swift and decisive action in the Central African Republic

“I urge the Security Council to act swiftly and decisively and authorise the resources urgently needed to begin stabilising the CAR." Kofi Annan
The Elders highlight the worsening violence in the Central African Republic, ahead of tomorrow's report fro

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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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