Our vision is a world where people live in peace, conscious of their common humanity and their shared responsibilities for each other, the planet and future generations; where there is universal respect for human rights; where poverty has been eliminated and people are free from fear and oppression, and able to fulfil their true potential.
The Elders are a group of independent leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007, who use their collective experience and influence to work for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet.
In their own careers Elders have brought peace to intractable conflicts, broken decades-old political norms, led social change, pioneered new thinking on sustainable development, promoted women’s leadership, and helped broker historic international agreements. They have learnt that only by working together can the world overcome the shared challenges we all face.
As Elders, they seek to catalyse moral leadership, foster agreement and inspire hope. They champion courageous, compassionate decision-making, and call out those in power who break their promises. They stand together with those fighting for a sustainable future rooted in inclusivity, equality and justice.
They do this by using their individual reputations and collective experience to impress upon world leaders the importance of ethical decision-making. They work with civil society to challenge impunity and injustice, and provide a platform for those who are unheard in the corridors of power. They convene diverse voices to find solutions to our shared problems.
The Elders
The Elders are chaired by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mary Robinson is The Elders’ third Chair since the group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, following Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2007-13) and Kofi Annan (2013-2018).
Our Deputy Chairs are Graça Machel, former Education Minister of Mozambique and civil society activist, and Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General and South Korean Foreign Minister..
The other current Elders are:
- Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the World Health Organization
- Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Administrator of the UN Development Programme
- Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia
- Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from Jordan
- Hina Jilani, international human rights defender from Pakistan
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate
- Denis Mukwege, a global campaigner on conflict-related sexual violence from DRC and Nobel Peace Laureate
- Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate
- Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico.
How The Elders Work
The Elders is an unusual organisation with a distinct way of working. The Elders work strategically, focusing on areas where they are uniquely placed to make a difference. This can mean engaging in private advocacy, using their collective influence to open doors and gain access to decision-makers. At other times, the Elders work publicly to promote neglected issues and speak out against injustice. The group decides collectively where there is the greatest opportunity to make a real impact, whether this is:
- Opening doors to gain access to decision-makers at the highest levels.
- Listening to everyone, no matter how unpalatable or unpopular, to promote dialogue.
- Providing an independent voice that can speak out, challenge injustice and break taboos.
- Bringing people together to catalyse action and forge alliances.
- Amplifying and supporting the work of people affected by conflict or working for peace.
- Creating space for campaigners and policy makers to broach difficult issues.
- Connecting people with decision makers, ensuring the needs of ordinary citizens are always represented.
- Highlighting neglected issues to generate media coverage and political attention.
The Elders are cautious not to claim all the credit for making a difference. Much of the Elders’ work is dedicated to supporting the efforts of other campaigners and advocates, giving them a platform to make their voices heard.
The Elders are supported by a Secretariat team of 25 people based in London (but now also recruiting internationally), and by an Advisory Council, including Patrons Sir Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel. The Elders Foundation’s annual income and expenditure is around US$5 million/£4 million, including programme initiatives and the running costs of the Secretariat.
Our Mission
We will use our experience and influence to work for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet. We will engage with global leaders and civil society through private diplomacy and public advocacy, to address existential threats, promote global solutions, and encourage ethical leadership that supports the dignity of all human beings.
Our Four Strategic Goals
Our four strategic goals link our vision and mission to the programme outcomes we pursue, guiding our approach to them all.
- We seek urgent action on existential threats
- We promote global solutions to global challenges
- We encourage ethical leadership and inclusive government
- We support the dignity and rights of all human beings
What We Do
We work on existential threats to humanity that require a collective response – the climate and nature crisis, pandemics, and nuclear weapons. We also work on conflict, a threat in itself and a risk factor for other threats.
Our Programmes
Climate Crisis
Pandemics
Nuclear Weapons
The impact we seek: Current and future generations are free from the threat of nuclear destruction.