The Elders Foundation

The Elders are independent global leaders working together for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet. The group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007. The Elders are Gro Harlem Brundtland, Helen Clark, Elbegdorj Tsakhia, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Hina Jilani, Denis Mukwege, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Graça Machel (Deputy Chair), Juan Manuel Santos (Chair), Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo. Ban Ki-moon, Lakhdar Brahimi, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Ricardo Lagos and Muhammad Yunus are Elders Emeritus. Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) and Kofi Annan (1938-2018) were founding members of The Elders and served as Chairs from 2007 to 2013 and 2013 to 2018 respectively. Ela Bhatt (1933 - 2022) and Martti Ahtisaari (1937 - 2023) were members of The Elders from 2007 to 2016 and 2009 to 2018 respectively. Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) was also a founding member of The Elders.