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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

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.

Speeches and Discussions

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.

Speeches and Discussions

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

Elders Statements

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.

Speeches and Discussions

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.

Human Rights Committee Vranje: supporting survivors of domestic violence

Dejana Stosic, of the Human Rights Committee Vranje in Serbia, explains why girls' rights remain important and how the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped them from supporting survivors of gender-based violence.

Youth voices are vital: Intergenerational action on the climate crisis

Over the last ten weeks, The Elders have heard from 12 courageous young climate activists from around the world about their experiences and insights on the climate crisis.

Why medical students are calling for a healthy recovery

Omnia El Omrani, a medical student & climate activist from Egypt, reflects on the impact of climate change on public health and calls on governments to recognise investing in health is a key facilitator of sustainable development in the COVID-19 recovery.

Chhori: creating a society with no discrimination towards girls

Hira Dahal, Executive Director of Chhori, discusses working to increase access to justice for survivors of gender based violence in Nepal, addressing human trafficking, and adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the frontline of the climate crisis in Marshall Islands

Litokne Kabua, a young climate activist from the Marshall Islands, highlights the experience of small island communities living with the impacts of climate change. He implores world leaders to take action before it is too late.

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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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