Based on an initiative by Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel, Nelson Mandela announced the formation of The Elders in July 2007 in Johannesburg on the occasion of his 89th birthday. Members of The Elders are: Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu (Chair).
The Elders are a group of global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who use their collective experience and influence to promote peace, justice and human rights worldwide.
They include the former holders of some of the world’s most important and demanding posts, and individuals with an extraordinary track record on peace-making, reconciliation and social change.
Independent of government and no longer holding public office, the Elders are helping tackle some of the world’s most intractable problems, through both private advocacy and public work.
The Elders work strategically, focusing on areas...
The Elders are a group of global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who use their collective experience and influence to promote peace, justice and human rights worldwide.
They include the former holders of some of the world’s most important and demanding posts, and individuals with an extraordinary track record on peace-making, reconciliation and social change.
Independent of government and no longer holding public office, the Elders are helping tackle some of the world’s most intractable problems, through both private advocacy and public work.
The Elders work strategically, focusing on areas...
- 8/29/2023
- Look to the Stars
The Elders today called on global leaders and citizens alike to root their response to the Covid-19 pandemic in humanitarian principles and solidarity to save lives, defend rights and protect the most vulnerable groups in society.
The following is a statement from The Elders:
The pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge for governments, heads of state and international institutions. As former leaders, we acknowledge the fearsomely complex political, moral and economic decisions those currently in office will have to take over the coming weeks and months.
We endorse the call of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board for at least Us$ 8 billion to be immediately injected into critical funding gaps to support the Who’s emergency response, vaccine development, timely distribution of medical supplies and other critical measures.
The G7 statement of 16 March 2020 marks a welcome first step, with leaders pledging to do “whatever is necessary to ensure a strong global response...
The following is a statement from The Elders:
The pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge for governments, heads of state and international institutions. As former leaders, we acknowledge the fearsomely complex political, moral and economic decisions those currently in office will have to take over the coming weeks and months.
We endorse the call of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board for at least Us$ 8 billion to be immediately injected into critical funding gaps to support the Who’s emergency response, vaccine development, timely distribution of medical supplies and other critical measures.
The G7 statement of 16 March 2020 marks a welcome first step, with leaders pledging to do “whatever is necessary to ensure a strong global response...
- 3/20/2020
- Look to the Stars
GÖTEBORG, Sweden: “All the Sins”’ Finnish co-writers and creators Mika Ronkainen and Merja Aakko, winners of last year’s Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize for outstanding Nordic screenplay, are developing for Mrk Matila Röhr Productions an adoption drama set between Finland and Guatemala.
Based on a true story, the six-part series “Act of Telling” (a working title) will examine child adoption through the story of a young Finnish couple and their Guatemala-born son. The respectable father has harbored a secret for seven years -a crime he committed when he travelled alone for the adoption. When a journalist friend starts to ask questions about the son’s biological parents, the mystery threatens to come to light.
Producer Ilkka Matilä said that Finnish public broadcaster Yle has ordered the concept from the writing duo. He’s now looking for a “potential co-production partner who could facilitate the Guatemala shoot.”
In early development,...
Based on a true story, the six-part series “Act of Telling” (a working title) will examine child adoption through the story of a young Finnish couple and their Guatemala-born son. The respectable father has harbored a secret for seven years -a crime he committed when he travelled alone for the adoption. When a journalist friend starts to ask questions about the son’s biological parents, the mystery threatens to come to light.
Producer Ilkka Matilä said that Finnish public broadcaster Yle has ordered the concept from the writing duo. He’s now looking for a “potential co-production partner who could facilitate the Guatemala shoot.”
In early development,...
- 1/25/2020
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
The Elders strongly urge the three guarantors of the “Astana Process” – Iran, Russia and Turkey – to overcome their recent differences and work hand-in-hand to prevent heavy civilian casualties in Syria’s Idlib region. A large-scale offensive there appears imminent.
Gro Harlem Brundtland, Acting Chair of The Elders and former Prime Minister of Norway, said:
“Russia, Iran and Turkey have taken it upon themselves to work together to restore peace and security to Syria. As a result, they have a heavy responsibility to act decisively at this time to prevent further deaths and injuries to civilians in Idlib. The situation could not be more urgent.”
Almost half Idlib’s estimated population of 2.9 million are people who have been displaced from other parts of the country. Among them, about a million children are most at risk. Indiscriminate aerial bombardments over the past days are already reported to have caused many casualties.
Lakhdar Brahimi,...
Gro Harlem Brundtland, Acting Chair of The Elders and former Prime Minister of Norway, said:
“Russia, Iran and Turkey have taken it upon themselves to work together to restore peace and security to Syria. As a result, they have a heavy responsibility to act decisively at this time to prevent further deaths and injuries to civilians in Idlib. The situation could not be more urgent.”
Almost half Idlib’s estimated population of 2.9 million are people who have been displaced from other parts of the country. Among them, about a million children are most at risk. Indiscriminate aerial bombardments over the past days are already reported to have caused many casualties.
Lakhdar Brahimi,...
- 9/18/2018
- Look to the Stars
The Elders and the Emir of Kuwait agreed that only dialogue and understanding can resolve political disputes and regional conflicts in the Middle East.
In two days of meetings, Lakhdar Brahimi and Martti Ahtisaari met Hrh Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad al-Sabah and Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Jarallah, as well as the Speaker of Parliament and MPs.
They also met Abdel Latif Yousef Al-Hamad, the President of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, and representatives of civil society groups.
They praised Kuwait’s founding role in and continued commitment to the Gulf Cooperation Council (Gcc) and expressed their hope that all Council members cooperate with Emir in his role as mediator to resolve their current differences.
The Elders also commended the Emir for Kuwait’s efforts to prioritise peaceful and political processes to address all the problems of the region,...
In two days of meetings, Lakhdar Brahimi and Martti Ahtisaari met Hrh Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad al-Sabah and Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Jarallah, as well as the Speaker of Parliament and MPs.
They also met Abdel Latif Yousef Al-Hamad, the President of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, and representatives of civil society groups.
They praised Kuwait’s founding role in and continued commitment to the Gulf Cooperation Council (Gcc) and expressed their hope that all Council members cooperate with Emir in his role as mediator to resolve their current differences.
The Elders also commended the Emir for Kuwait’s efforts to prioritise peaceful and political processes to address all the problems of the region,...
- 7/4/2018
- Look to the Stars
The Elders warned today that new nuclear doctrines and defence rhetoric from the United States and Russia risk a dangerous escalation of tensions that threaten the foundations of global multilateral security infrastructure.
They expressed their concern at the review of nuclear posture recently announced by the United States that raised the prospect of “low-yield” nuclear weapons and a possible nuclear strike in response to a non-nuclear threat.
The Elders also voiced their alarm at the claims in President Vladimir Putin’s state of the union address that Russia has developed a new array of nuclear weapons delivery systems designed to avoid detection.
More fundamentally, The Elders warned that provocative statements from the two sides weakened existing nuclear non-proliferation agreements, and the prospects for their renewal – and that this sends a dangerous signal to other nuclear powers and those with aspirations to secure nuclear weapons for themselves.
Kofi Annan, Chair of...
They expressed their concern at the review of nuclear posture recently announced by the United States that raised the prospect of “low-yield” nuclear weapons and a possible nuclear strike in response to a non-nuclear threat.
The Elders also voiced their alarm at the claims in President Vladimir Putin’s state of the union address that Russia has developed a new array of nuclear weapons delivery systems designed to avoid detection.
More fundamentally, The Elders warned that provocative statements from the two sides weakened existing nuclear non-proliferation agreements, and the prospects for their renewal – and that this sends a dangerous signal to other nuclear powers and those with aspirations to secure nuclear weapons for themselves.
Kofi Annan, Chair of...
- 3/9/2018
- Look to the Stars
The Elders welcomed Saudi Arabia’s impressive social and economic reforms, and urged a comparable level of commitment towards establishing meaningful dialogue with its neighbours, notably Iran, to resolve regional security crises including Yemen.
On their first official visit to the Kingdom as Elders, Kofi Annan, Martti Ahtisaari, Lakhdar Brahimi and Ernesto Zedillo held talks in Riyadh with Hrh King Salman bin Abdulaziz that focused on the broad geopolitical and security environment in the Middle East and the “Vision 2030” domestic reform agenda.
Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders and former Un Secretary-General, said:
“We applaud the vision and ambition of these reforms. Comparable ambition is needed to try to resolve the conflicts and tensions scarring the wider Middle East, from Yemen to Syria, Palestine and also Qatar. The key interlocutor is Iran, and I urge both countries to put aside suspicions and grievances to talk and work together in the...
On their first official visit to the Kingdom as Elders, Kofi Annan, Martti Ahtisaari, Lakhdar Brahimi and Ernesto Zedillo held talks in Riyadh with Hrh King Salman bin Abdulaziz that focused on the broad geopolitical and security environment in the Middle East and the “Vision 2030” domestic reform agenda.
Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders and former Un Secretary-General, said:
“We applaud the vision and ambition of these reforms. Comparable ambition is needed to try to resolve the conflicts and tensions scarring the wider Middle East, from Yemen to Syria, Palestine and also Qatar. The key interlocutor is Iran, and I urge both countries to put aside suspicions and grievances to talk and work together in the...
- 3/2/2018
- Look to the Stars
Caine co-hosted the Nobel Peace Concert in 2008 with Scarlett Johansson to honour Nobel Peace Prize recipient Martti Ahtisaari for his work on mediation in crisis areas over the past three decades.
Charities & foundations supported
Michael Caine has supported the following charities:
21st Century LeadersBarbara Davis Center for Childhood DiabetesBritish Forces FoundationElton John AIDS FoundationHelp for HeroesNot On Our WatchPACTSightsavers InternationalVariety ClubWhatever It Takes Read more about Michael Caine's charity work and events. Related articles Stars Sparkle for Elton John AIDS FoundationStars Design Plates For CharityHelp For Heroes Gets Royal TreatmentSir Elton John's White Tie And Tiara Party Hits The BeachStars Give Spectacles To Charity
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Copyright © 2017 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this via email or in your news reader, the site you...
Charities & foundations supported
Michael Caine has supported the following charities:
21st Century LeadersBarbara Davis Center for Childhood DiabetesBritish Forces FoundationElton John AIDS FoundationHelp for HeroesNot On Our WatchPACTSightsavers InternationalVariety ClubWhatever It Takes Read more about Michael Caine's charity work and events. Related articles Stars Sparkle for Elton John AIDS FoundationStars Design Plates For CharityHelp For Heroes Gets Royal TreatmentSir Elton John's White Tie And Tiara Party Hits The BeachStars Give Spectacles To Charity
Explore celebrities by social reach, cause, location, field and more with Insider Access →
Copyright © 2017 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this via email or in your news reader, the site you...
- 10/19/2017
- Look to the Stars
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith will co-host the 16th annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on Dec. 11 in Oslo, Norway, People has learned. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, whose Peace Prize is given annually to the person or group whose work best promotes global peace, has also announced that Wyclef Jean, Toby Keith and Donna Summer will be among the featured performers at the concert. More names will be added in the coming weeks. Geir Lundestad, secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said of the Smiths, "Together they've had a global impact on the arts and philanthropy and will be excellent ambassadors for peace.
- 9/30/2009
- by Cynthia Wang
- PEOPLE.com
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