Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Member of The Elders

Dear Friends

It is a pleasure to write to you for the first time as a member of The Elders. When I was asked to join such a distinguished group of global leaders in January of this year, I said:

‘I look forward to working with The Elders to inspire people everywhere, particularly women and girls, to reach for their true potential, break through barriers and pursue their dreams.’

Indeed, since joining I have witnessed a number of successful initiatives that have strengthened the group’s work on human rights, multilateral cooperation and peace. In June, Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon and I met UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss these pressing global concerns and the need to defend the multilateral system of which the UN is a key pillar.

This October I had the privilege of attending my first board meeting of The Elders, in London. Defending multilateralism was the main focus of our activities, together with urgent action on climate change, nuclear proliferation and economic and gender inequality.

Before the board meeting, Mary Robinson, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Lakhdar Brahimi attended the One Young World Summit, combining the energy of young changemakers with the insight of experienced leaders.

The Elders believe this intergenerational dialogue is crucial to developing holistic, inclusive solutions to global challenges. As the late Kofi Annan so often said,

“You are never too young to lead, and never too old to learn.”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Spark of Hope in focus

Breaking the Silence

Some of the most powerful voices for peace can belong to soldiers. Breaking the Silence collects and publishes testimonies from Israeli soldiers, aiming to break a vicious cycle of silence by fostering courageous public conversations about the price the occupation and conflict exacts on soldiers and civilians.

The world needs Latin American leadership on the climate crisis

The eyes of the world are watching

Fellow Elder Juan Manuel Santos calls for bolder and more inclusive leadership in Latin America, warning that without urgent and radical action, there will no longer be a liveable planet for future generations. First Published in El Pais and O Globo.

From The Elders

News & Insight

The Elders attended One Young World this month, to share their knowledge and experience with young leaders

Lakhdar Brahimi calls for greater mobilisation against the nuclear threat at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Belgrade

"We are made of the forest." Guest blog by the Munduruku people of the Amazon, on defending their home

Ban Ki-moon: businesses can combat xenophobia and lead on refugee integration where leaders fall short

Get Involved

Join the conversation

Last week, in London, the Elders and a number of The Elders' Advisory Council spent time listening to and engaging in discussion with some of the young leaders in attendance at One Young World.

"We cannot solve the problems of the world without multilateral solidarity'. Mary Robinson and Gro Brundtland discuss the need for new voices to defend multilateralism, in conversation with Jon Snow.

If the world can walk together, talk together and speak out together, we can shape a better future for us all. #UN75