What We Do
The world has changed markedly since Nelson Mandela founded The Elders in 2007.
Discover how The Elders contribute to addressing some of the challenges of leadership, peace-building, inequality, exclusion and injustice in a rapidly-changing world.
Ethical Leadership & Multilateral Cooperation
We support international co-operation & strong multilateral institutions as the most effective ways of tackling global challenges, including nuclear disarmament.
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Conflict Countries & Regions
We endeavour to assist in efforts to secure peaceful resolution to conflicts through quiet diplomacy and a willingness to talk to all sides.
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Universal Health Coverage
We make global and country-level interventions to support UHC in the broader context of pandemic preparedness and response, and the SDGs.
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Climate Change
We want to help ensure a just transition to the low carbon economy, create political space for ambitious action, and encourage innovative new solutions.
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Access to Justice
Access to justice for all is an important human right. We will work with governments and civil society to make this right a reality.
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Refugees and Migration
We champion the need for compassion, tolerance and solidarity in response to vulnerable people on the move.
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Gender Equality and Intergenerational Dialogue
Equality for women and girls is a cornerstone of the Elders’ commitment to securing dignity and rights for all, informing our priorities across every aspect of our work. We also seek to empower young people and promote intergenerational dialogue across our initiatives.
As Kofi Annan said: “you are never too young to lead, and never too old to learn.”
More on Gender Equality More on Intergenerational Dialogue
Other work
Other programmes The Elders have worked on include...>
Child Marriage
Child marriage affects millions of girls worldwide. We brought together organisations working locally, nationally and internationally in a global partnership to end this harmful practice.
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Cyprus
We worked towards reconciliation and peace in response to over three decades of conflict and division between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
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Elders+Youngers
We seek to listen to young people and encourage youth leadership across every area of our work, from climate change to conflict resolution.
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Equality for Girls & Women
All human beings are born with equal rights. Equality between men and women means healthier, safer and just societies. We work to promote and protect equal rights for women and girls.
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Korean Peninsula
The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains one of the most dangerous in the world. Building conditions for a durable peace, ending the terrible dangers posed by nuclear weapons, and improving the overall wellbeing of all the Korean people go hand-in-hand.
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Sri Lanka
After Sri Lanka’s internal conflict, we supported the building of an inclusive, multi-ethnic state and pursuing accountability for violations committed during the war.
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Sudan & South Sudan
We engaged on private diplomacy and advocacy to support peace in Sudan and South Sudan, in the face of serious governance, conflict and humanitarian challenges.
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Walk Together
A year-long campaign to continue Nelson Mandela’s long walk to freedom, by building global empathy and supporting civil society on issues of peace, health, justice and equality.
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