On December 16, Mary Robinson, Juan Manuel Santos and Zeid Raad al Hussein will take part in the Forgiveness Forum, with the Templeton World Charity Foundation.

Join the Elders from 10- 11 am EST / 3 – 4 pm GMT, and register here. 

With their years of collective experience on conflict-resolution and peacebuilding, the Elders will explore the relationship between forgiveness, reconciliation, empathy, justice and hope. 

This one-hour virtual event will consider how seemingly intractable issues such as climate injustice, COVID-19, racial inequality and political instability can benefit from forgiveness and empathic leadership.  

“I have seen the power of forgiveness in communities riven with conflict on the island of Ireland when I was President, and across the world as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes region.

Time and again I have seen people, especially women, demonstrate extraordinary strength in forgiveness. They knew through lived experienced, and I also firmly believe through what I have witnessed, that we cannot make peace without accepting our differences. This is why the power of forgiveness is so important to overcoming the challenges we face in a polarised world.” 

Mary Robinson 

“Forgiveness and reconciliation are fundamental to the process of peace making and peace building. As the leader of a country that experienced tremendous suffering through conflict for many years, I know the importance of finding common ground and shared goals with those you have profoundly disagreed with. Only then can one consider true justice and hope for a better future.” 

Juan Manuel Santos