News & Insight | The Elders

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.

World Refugee Day 2021: a call for leadership

As UNHCR publishes its annual Global Trends report, and ahead of World Refugee Day 2021, Mary Robinson and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflect on the need for leadership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fronteras cerradas e injusticia en la vacunación: COVID-19 y la migración en América Latina

Mauricio Viloria y Diana Ortiz Viloria, de MECoPA, hablan sobre la necesidad de reconocer el camino en el que las restricciones impuestas a la migración forzada aumentan los riesgos en la salud pública.

Closed borders and vaccine injustice: COVID-19 and migration in Latin America

Mauricio Viloria and Diana Ortiz Viloria of MECoPa write about the need to recognise the ways in which restrictions on forced migration amplify risks to public health.

Stories from the frontlines: Refugee-Led Organisations in the Shadow of COVID-19

Three refugee-led organisations share their reflections on a challenging year for people who have been forcibly displaced.

Responding to the threat of gender-based violence in refugee settings

As The Elders mark the annual global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, this photo essay provided by All We Can highlights some of the particular challenges faced by women in refugee camps.

Annual Review 2019: Together we can shape a better future for us all

The Elders' 2019 Annual Review is now available to download.

Access to Justice Climate change Conflict countries and regions Ethical leadership & multilateral cooperation Refugees and migration Universal Health Coverage

Migrants' rights and health must be protected in the face of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is a test of our common humanity. It has revealed our shared vulnerabilities, and only a coordinated response based on justice, solidarity and humanitarian principles can help us overcome it.

2019: a year in review

2019 has been a busy year for The Elders and the world. Find out more about our activities.

Nothing About Us, Without Us: the Global Refugee-Led Network

As the Global Refugee Forum takes place on 17-18 December, our guest bloggers, Mohammed Badran and Sana Mustafa explore the importance of refugee voices in the decision-making process.

Ban Ki-moon: businesses can lead on refugee integration where leaders fall short

Drawing on his own experiences as a refugee in the Korean War, Ban Ki-moon calls on businesses to combat the xenophobic narrative against refugees. Published in The Independent.

Media Advisory: The Elders to visit Ethiopia from 19-22 May

The Elders will visit Ethiopia from 19-22 May for a series of meetings with senior political leaders and representatives of the African Union to discuss regional political developments and security issues.

Standing strong in the wake of increasingly hostile US immigration policies

With the Trump administration expanding a hard-line immigration policy, Greer Millard at The Florence Project highlights the importance of the organisations work with immigrants in Arizona.

2018: A year in review

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

Five reasons climate change is the greatest existential threat of our time

The Elders explain why urgent climate action is needed now not tomorrow.

The Refugee Crisis Is a Test of Our Collective Conscience

Drawing on his own experiences of being a child refugee during the Korean War, Ban Ki-moon calls on world leaders to increase political will to address the refugee and migrant crisis. First published in the New York Times.

Annual Review 2017: #WalkTogether To Spark Hope In The World

2017 was a landmark year for the Elders. We celebrated our 10th anniversary in July and launched our Walk Together campaign to celebrate the freedoms Mandela dedicated his life to: Peace, Justice, Health and Equality. We also welcomed new members Ban Ki-m

The Elders urge US to recommit funding for UN Palestinian refugees agency

The Elders urge the United States to recommit funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to prevent a drastic cut in its essential services such as healthcare and education to those in need across the Middle East.

Global challenges demand leaders act on principles not populism

Ban Ki-moon urges politicians to have the courage to take difficult decisions rather than pandering to xenophobic or populist pressures.

Ernesto Zedillo: Trump retreats from leadership yet again

Decrying the U.S. decision to withdraw participation from the Global Compact for Migration, Ernesto Zedillo asserts that states can better protect their own citizens when they cooperate to overcome the challenges of migration.

Managing migration: why leadership matters

Louise Arbour, United Nations Special Representative for International Migration, calls on governments negotiating the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to seize the opportunity for collaboration, whilst demonstrating strong political

The Elders urge Bulgaria to use EU Presidency for greater action on refugee resettlement

The Elders have urged Bulgaria to use its tenure to push for greater action and ambition on refugee resettlement through developing a strong Union Resettlement Framework.

Making migration work for all: developing a human rights-focused approach

Mary Robinson calls on the international community to agree new ways of managing migration that recognise the realities of our globalised world, respects and protects human dignity, and shares the responsibility and benefits of integrating new migrants in

Les Elders rencontrent le Président français Emmanuel Macron et saluent l’engagement de la France sur le climat

Les Elders étaient à Paris le 11 et 12 décembre pour une rencontre avec le Président français Emmanuel Macron et pour participer au sommet sur le climat « One Planet ». Les échanges avec le Président Macron ont porté sur les grands défis mondia

The Elders meet President Macron, applaud French climate leadership

The Elders visited Paris from 11-12 December to meet President Emmanuel Macron for a discussion on global challenges from climate change to conflicts across the Middle East, and to participate at the One Planet climate summit.

The Elders condemn Libya slave auctions, demand migrants’ rights respected

The Elders today strongly condemned “slave auctions” of African migrants in Libya and urged the international community to take all necessary steps to protect the rights and dignity of all people, especially vulnerable foreigners, in the conflict-wrac

The Elders stand in solidarity with Pope Francis on peace, refugees, climate

The Elders met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday 6 November to express their appreciation and support for his work on global peace, refugees and migration, and climate change.

Livestream: Mary Robinson to address Global Mayors Summit on refugees and migration

On 18 September, Mary Robinson will address the Global Mayors Summit in New York on the role of cities in meeting the global migration challenge. Watch the livestream at 10:35 ET.

A call for bold city leadership on migration and climate change

Writing in Newsweek, Mary Robinson calls on cities to defiantly lead on global challenges like climate change and migration, especially when national leaders spurn their responsibilities.

Kofi Annan: Why Are Only Poor Countries Taking Refugees?

Writing in TIME Magazine, Kofi Annan urges leaders to act responsibly and to commit to cooperation and burden-sharing to ensure the protection of refugees' human rights and dignity.

Elders tackle global issues at UN Noon Briefing

Following a meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson addressed global challenges including multilateralism, climate change and conflict at the UN Noon Briefing on 9 May.

Annual Review 2016: Solidarity Beyond Borders

The Elders have published their latest Annual Review. From launching a campaign for Universal Health Coverage to promoting a coordinated international response to refugees and mass migration, read highlights of The Elders’ work from 2016.

Elders at the Munich Security Conference 2017

Four Elders attended the annual Munich Security Conference in February 2017 to tackle several contemporary challenges including the Iran Nuclear Agreement, climate security and the refugees and migration crises. 

Refugees and migrants: part of our common humanity

Lakhdar Brahimi calls on leaders to approach the debate on refugees and migration with care and responsibility. Reflecting on the daunting challenges ahead, he remains hopeful that a better world can be built with the passion and commitment of the young.

The Elders condemn US refugee ban, call for global protection of vulnerable

The Elders condemn President Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning Syrian refugees and restricting migration from seven predominantly Muslim countries. They call on the United States to provide leadership in line with its honourable historical and huma

The challenge of migration and security: a call for a rights-based response

Speaking at Sciences Po's Youth & Leaders Summit, Lakhdar Brahimi highlights the importance of security within the wider debate on migration and calls for nuanced, long-term policymaking.

Moral and political leadership in a time of uncertainty

Writing in the Financial Times as the World Economic Forum 2017 opens in Davos, Mary Robinson says that millions of people feel left behind by the actions of governments and corporations. She rejects cynical populists who offer scapegoats instead of real

Lakhdar Brahimi to discuss migration and security at Sciences Po

On 16 January, Lakhdar Brahimi will join a panel discussion on the security challenges posed by the migration crisis at Sciences Po's annual Youth and Leaders Summit.

Elders’ Visit to UNGA High-Level Week, New York, 17-22 September 2016

Four Elders visited New York in September 2016 to attend events in and around the UN General Assembly, including on refugees and migration, Universal Health Coverage and UN reform.

Elders in Berlin: recognising German leadership on refugees

In September 2016, Kofi Annan, Martti Ahtisaari and Lakhdar Brahimi visited Germany to launch a new report on refugees and migration. They heard a range of perspectives on the country's response to the crisis, from Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Ethical leadership: a global challenge and opportunity

Our CEO Andrew Whitley reflects on a busy month during which The Elders launched a new report in Germany on refugees and mass migration, and held several meetings and discussions in and around the UN General Assembly in New York, including with senior UN

The Elders hail Germany's engagement on refugee and migration issues

The Elders reflect on a two day visit to Germany, during which they met with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President Joachim Gauck, and launched a new report on refugees and migration.

In Challenge Lies Opportunity: How the World Must Respond to Refugees and Mass Migration

The Elders launch their new report on refugees and mass migration, calling for political will to ensure that responsibility is truly shared between countries, and that the vulnerable are protected.

Syria and refugees: the case for compassion

Kofi Annan reflects on the shocking images of children who have suffered in the Syrian conflict and asks whether the world has done enough, both in protecting civilians within Syria and those who have fled.

Elders discuss Middle East with BBC’s Lyse Doucet at ODI

The Elders and ODI co-hosted a discussion panel on the Middle East with the BBC’s Lyse Doucet, bringing together world-leading research and experience to discuss all angles of the regional crisis.

Refugees question The Elders and UNHCR about their future

From alternative pathways to safety and resettlement to the prospect of peace in Syria, refugees in the Middle East have many questions about their future. Elders Kofi Annan and Lakhdar Brahimi join Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to

Annual Report 2015: Reflecting the past, facing the future

The Elders have released their latest Annual Report. From Climate Change and the SDGs to Equality for Girls and Women and strengthening the UN, read highlights of The Elders’ work from 2015.

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