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Who are The Elders?
The Elders are independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights. They are not bound by the interests of any nation, government or institution. Join us to work towards a better future.
FEATURED ELDERS
Martti Ahtisaari
Former President of Finland; Nobel Peace Laureate; and expert in conflict mediation, diplomacy and post-conflict state-building.
Kofi Annan
Former UN Secretary-General, Nobel Peace Laureate and former Chair of The Elders; put development, human rights, the rule of law, good governance and peace at the top of the United Nations agenda.
Ela Bhatt
The ‘gentle revolutionary’; a pioneer in women’s empowerment and founder of the more than 1 million-strong Self-Employed Women’s Association trade union in India; Gandhian practitioner of non-violence and self-reliance.
Lakhdar Brahimi
Former Algerian freedom fighter, Foreign Minister, conflict mediator and UN diplomat; an expert in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.
Gro Harlem Brundtland
First woman Prime Minister of Norway; former Director-General of WHO; a medical doctor who champions health as a human right; and put sustainable development on the international agenda.
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Former President of Brazil; implemented major land reform programme, reduced poverty and significantly improved health and education; an acclaimed sociologist and global advocate for drug policy reform.
Jimmy Carter
Former President of the United States, Nobel Peace Laureate and veteran peace negotiator; dedicated to advancing peace, democracy and health worldwide.
Hina Jilani
Pioneering lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner; a leading activist in Pakistan's women's movement and international champion of human rights.
Graça Machel
Women’s and children's rights advocate; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique; co-founder of The Elders.
Mary Robinson
First woman President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; former Chair of The Elders; a passionate advocate for gender equality, women’s participation in peace-building, human dignity and climate justice.
Ernesto Zedillo
Former President of Mexico who led profound democratic and social reforms; a renowned economist; and an advocate of multilateralism, inclusive globalisation, nuclear nonproliferation, drug policy reform and universal healthcare.
Related Content
Nelson Mandela introduces The Elders, Johannesburg, 18 July 2007
On his 89th birthday, Nelson Mandela announced the formation of The Elders: a small dedicated group of leaders who will work objectively, free from any vested personal interest, to help address global challenges.
Mandela's vision for a better world
This short documentary tells the story of The Elders' first ten years. Featuring previously unseen footage of their initial meeting with their founder, Nelson Mandela, the Elders reflect on Madiba's mandate, the group's formation and impact and how they w