The Elders

[Helay]

The Elders is a group of public and or political figures, peace activists, and human rights advocates. The goal of the group is to solve global problems such as, poverty, women’s rights as well as world peace keeping, using their political independence and influence. The Elders is chaired by former Archbishop Desmond Tutu and currently consists of 12 members, including Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi as an honorary Elder. Because of her ongoing detention in the country, she is unable to take an active role in the group. At the launch ceremony a chair was left empty on the stage to signify Aung San Suu kyi. The Elders’ motto is that every human has rights. The group’s latest initiatives include, equality for women and girls, Sudan, Cyprus, Zimbabwe and Burma.

The group has the following members,
-Aung San Suu Kyi, freedom fighter and activist for nonviolence. Burma
-Nelson Mandela
-Graça Machel, Mozambican activist, Mandela's wife
-Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations
-Mary Robinson, former Irish President
-Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner
-Jimmy Carter, former United States President
-Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank founder and microcredit pioneer
-Li Zhaoxing, former Chinese Foreign Minister

http://www.theelders.org/organisation/theeldersteam
http://www.theelders.org/elders

[Anne Millhollen]

What a wonderful group of people and perfect name to the group. Perhaps we could include their website address in a resources section at the end of our library project book discussion guide.

[Teresa Lopez]

Thanks Helay for providing this link to such an interesting organization. What I can appreciation about the Elders- as described in the video to the organization's website- is that they have no personal agenda to adhere to such as running for a campaign, or seeking voters, or having the need to please others for the sake of gaining public office. These elders have already done that and they dedicate their actions to helping others by providing ideas with the experience they have had through out their lives. They are dedicating themselves for a cause that does not involve self interest. It will be great to keep track of the success of the organization to see how much and how many lives The Elders have impacted in a constructive and positive way.