News & Insight | The Elders

We need hope to achieve a better, fairer and more sustainable world

What does it take to reach our full potential as climate activists?

Young siblings Jayson and Jayrose 'Mika' Capelle from the Marshall Islands write about their experiences as climate activists in a climate-vulnerable island state, and how the climate crisis is about more than climate change.

The Global North must uphold the principles of the UN Refugee Convention

Seventy years ago, the world made a pact to protect refugees: the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. Yet too many of our leaders are failing to uphold that promise, writes Ban Ki-moon.

Peacemaking after the COVID-19 pandemic

Juan Manuel Santos reflects on how leaders must foster hope and anchor policies in empathy, solidarity, and a long-term vision of the common good, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The power of civil society in a post-pandemic world

At a time when the foundations of democracy are under siege, we must ensure a vibrant civil society to progress on pressing issues – from economic and educational inequality to racial justice and climate change, says Hina Jilani.

A human rights approach to global challenges

The world will neither rebuild from the pandemic, nor have any chance of tackling wider existential threats, until leaders once more instill a sense of hope in political and civic life, writes Mary Robinson.

La igualdad de género, la justicia climática y la educación van de la mano

La activista por la justicia climática Julieta Martínez de Chile reflexiona sobre la intersección del cambio climático, la igualdad de género y la educación, y llama a abordar la crisis climática desde una perspectiva feminista.

The Elders and The Carter Center: A Virtual Dialogue with Israeli activists

On 5 August, The Carter Center and The Elders virtually convened a round of dialogue with Israeli civil society and human rights activists. Lakhdar Brahimi participated on behalf of The Elders.

Pandemics and the challenges of sustaining peace

Ban Ki-moon addresses a virtual session of the UN Security Council on the challenges of sustaining peace during COVID-19.

Black Lives Matter puts injustice and inequality in the spotlight

Ban Ki-moon and Patrick Verkooijen warn that the speed and scale with which wealthy New Yorkers fled the city as COVID-19 struck has served a small taste of what climate apartheid could look like in the decades to come. Published in USA Today.

COVID-19's threat to our global civilisation and the need for collective responsibility

Writing for Kyodo News, Gro Harlem Brundtland calls for collective action to address multiple crises affecting global civilisation, from COVID-19 and climate change to nuclear proliferation and assaults on the multilateral system.

#PeaceCrane2020: Imagining a world free from nuclear weapons

The Elders mark the 75th Anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by folding an origami crane and sharing a message of peace.

The Elders call on world leaders to take action or risk nuclear catastrophe

The Elders call on the leaders of the five recognised nuclear-weapon states to use the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to begin substantive steps towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

The nuclear threat is greater than at any point since the Cold War

The Elders’ Policy Advisor, Tom Brookes, blogs on the current state of nuclear tensions and the options for achieving disarmament.

To honour the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 75 years on, we must lay down our nuclear weapons

On the 75th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Ban Ki-moon warns of the unravelling of nuclear arms controls and urges Presidents Trump and Putin to extend New START. Published in TIME.

Juan Manuel Santos reflects on the present and existential threat of nuclear weapons

August marks a point of sombre reflection for the world as we pause to remember the hundreds of thousands of people who died following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Canada can lead on climate change, if leaders match words with deeds

Warning that Canada's international reputation as a leader on ambitious climate action is at risk, Mary Robinson calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to match rhetoric around the need for a green economy with action. Published in The Globe and Mail.

The Elders to mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversary with peace crane commemoration

The Elders are calling on world leaders, decision-makers and the public to pause for a moment of reflection and solidarity as the world marks the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August 2020.

Fold your own origami crane: how to take part in #PeaceCrane2020

Sadako Sasaki inspired the world with her origami peace cranes. She folded thousands from her hospital bed before she tragically died from the long-term effects of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Masahiro Sasaki: on surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, his sister Sadako and his mission to advance peace

Masahiro Sasaki, the only surviving brother of Sadako Sasaki - whose actions sparked a peace movement, blogs on surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Each of us can bring something valuable to the quest for peace

Sue DiCicco, founder of The Peace Crane Project, explains the importance of Sadako and Masahiro Sasaki to the story of the origami peace crane, and the message of hope it represents today.

The Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Hiroshima Peace Cranes

The origami peace crane has long been associated with Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from leukaemia caused by the radioactive fallout of the Hiroshima bombing. Read her story to find out how she began folding cranes and why.

Elders address UK Foreign Affairs Committee on the need for global leadership

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Juan Manuel Santos and Zeid Raad Al Hussein draw on their experiences in office and reflect on challenges facing leaders as they grapple with COVID-19.

New COVID-19 justice fund targets $1 million for grassroots groups

On the heels of Mandela Day, global leaders and civil society groups are proud to launch the COVID-19 Grassroots Justice Fund to help marginalised and oppressed communities protect their rights during the pandemic and ensure equitable recovery.

In Colombia, it took courage to make peace. I worry Israel is choosing conflict instead

Warning that Israel's threat of annexation risks creating an apartheid-style regime, Juan Manuel Santos draws on his experience of making peace in Colombia, underscoring the importance of the rule of law and respect for universal human rights.

Finding Humanity Webinar: what it means to build back better in a post-COVID-19 world

Mary Robinson & Juan Manuel Santos in discussion with Finding Humanity Podcast host Hazami Barmada on what it means to ‘build back better’ in a post COVID-19 world.

German leadership is critical to building a clean, green recovery to COVID-19

Welcoming the priority German Chancellor Angela Merkel has placed on tackling climate change during Germany's EUCO Presidency, Ban Ki-moon urges German leadership to deliver ambitious solutions that can protect our climate & planet. Published in Die Zeit.

Gro Harlem Brundtland joins UHC Movement Political Advisory Panel

Gro Harlem Brundtland has joined leaders on a new panel to strengthen political support for Universal Health Coverage.

COVID-19 has underscored the importance of resilient health systems

Cautioning against imbalanced health spending as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gro Harlem Brundtland calls on leaders to accelerate progress on achieving Universal Health Coverage.

A century ago, too few leaders had the courage to tackle global threats collectively. Will today's leaders step up?

Warning about the terrible consequences of the failures of multilateralism and far-sighted leadership, Ban Ki-moon urges inclusive governance and collective action to solve global challenges.

The Elders and The Carter Center: A Virtual Dialogue with Palestinian activists

On June 17 and 18, The Carter Center and The Elders virtually convened two rounds of dialogue with Palestinian civil society and political and human rights activists.

Multilateralism is the world’s insurance policy against existential threats

This is a timely moment to honour the vision and values of the United Nations

The Elders urge European leaders to stand firm on Israeli annexation threats

The Elders have called on European leaders to maintain their resolve against Israel’s plans to annex swathes of the West Bank, and to insist that any such moves would have negative political and economic consequences for bilateral relations.

Palestinian perspectives on the future

The Elders’ Head of Programmes, Jane Kinninmont, writes on Palestinian youth perspectives that were highlighted in a recent virtual dialogue, held as a collaboration between The Elders and The Carter Center.

Israel-Palestine: the realities of occupation

Gro Harlem Brundtland joins Nadav Weiman, a former IDF soldier and Deputy Director of Breaking the Silence, to discuss his military service, the realities of occupation and hopes for peace between Israel and Palestine.

Nuclear proliferation needs a multilateral response just as much as the coronavirus pandemic

Warning that a nuclear conflict remains a clear and present danger today, Ban Ki-moon calls on nuclear powers to reduce their arsenals and invest in a robust global arms control architecture. Published in the South China Morning Post.

Multilateralism is the best insurance policy against global threats

Delivering the John W. Holmes Memorial Lecture on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, Gro Harlem Brundtland warns that only collective action will enable us to meet the challenges of the coming decades.

Multilateralism offers hope for a sea-change after COVID-19

Writing in The Hill on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, Mary Robinson warns that COVID-19 will not be overcome unless states work together.

President Trump's attack on multilateralism has betrayed America's national interest

Ernesto Zedillo condemns President Trump's ongoing assault on international covenants and institutions and calls for regional unity to move beyond rhetoric in defending multilateralism. Published in El País.

The Elders urge a revival of multilateralism on UN’s anniversary to reshape the world after COVID-19

The Elders today called on world leaders to recommit to the values of the UN Charter and strengthen the effectiveness of the multilateral system as the best way of overcoming existential threats like pandemics, climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Hope for a sea-change: Why multilateralism must reshape the world after COVID-19

Marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, The Elders call for determined and principled leadership that recognises that global challenges require global solutions

We must test to exit COVID-19: Gro Harlem Brundtland joins women leaders calling for urgent action

Gro Harlem Brundtland joins distinguished women leaders from politics and healthcare to call on world leaders to prioritise testing for COVID-19

Artemisa Honduras: empowering girls to reach their potential

Nicolle and Sarahi discuss how information is key to claiming your rights and accessing justice, and how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Artemisa Honduras continues to support and educate on sexual and reproductive rights in Honduras.

World Refugee Day 2020

Ban Ki-moon outlines the plight of people who have been forcibly displaced around the world, in particular the Rohingya people, as part of a virtual event to mark World Refugee Day 2020.

COVID-19 should not justify erosion of rights for most marginalised

Mary Robinson marks World Refugee Day 2020 by urging leaders to pay attention to marginalised people whose situation transcends national borders. Published in Thomson Reuters.

My name is not Greta Thunberg: Why diverse voices matter in the climate movement

Xiye Bastida, an 18-year-old Mexican-Indigenous climate justice activist based in New York City, pushes back on click-bait and lazy journalism around coverage of the climate movement.

COVID-19 and the impact on African women: all responses must respect the gendered impacts of the pandemic

In an open letter on the impact of COVID-19 on African women, Graça Machel calls for the criminal justice system to be strengthened and increased efforts around gender-based violence survivor support and protection.

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