The Elders
The Elders is an independent group of global leaders launched by Nelson Mandela in 2007 to work for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable future. Richard BransonRichard BransonRichard Branson is a British entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group. Beginning with a youth magazine and mail-order records, he expanded into aviation, leisure, telecommunications, finance and commercial spaceflight. He also founded Virgin Unite and is known for ballooning expeditions and his 2021 suborbital flight.Open the full entry and Peter Gabriel proposed the original concept; it is not a Virgin GroupVirgin GroupVirgin Group is an investment and brand group originating in the record business established by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in 1970. Its network spans aviation, travel, hospitality, health, telecommunications, finance and spaceflight. Virgin-branded businesses have distinct ownership and operating arrangements.Open the full entry commercial subsidiary.
Contents5 sections
Key facts
2007Concept and formation
Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel proposed a group of experienced leaders working independently beyond government office on global challenges. Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel, Desmond Tutu and others helped bring it into being.[1]
July 18, 2007Mandela announces the group
Nelson Mandela announced The Elders on July 18, 2007. The group draws on members’ experience and independence for dialogue, mediation and public advocacy concerning conflict, poverty and other global challenges.[1]
Mission and leadership: Peace, justice and future generations
The website identifies peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet as central priorities and lists Juan Manuel SantosJuan Manuel SantosJuan Manuel Santos is a Colombian politician who has been a journalist, minister of foreign trade, minister of finance and minister of defense, and was president of Colombia from 2010 to 2018. During his presidency he negotiated and signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to end a civil war that had lasted more than 50 years, for which he received the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize; as of October 2026, he is chair of The Elders and a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation.Open the full entry as chair and Graça Machel as deputy chair. The group advocates long-term decisions for future generations and operates independently of current government office.[2]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
The Elders: Official link: https://theelders.org/ (opens in a new window).[2]
Richard Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson (opens in a new window).[1][3]
Virgin UniteVirgin UniteVirgin Unite is Virgin Group’s charitable foundation, established by Richard Branson in 2004. It supports partnerships addressing social and environmental issues and helped develop initiatives including The Elders and The B Team, which have their own governance.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-unite (opens in a new window).[2][4]