In 1999, Peter Gabriel began a conversation with Richard Branson about The Elders a new gathering of world leaders who will come together to guide and support our global village. For their model they looked to traditional village elders, trusted by their people to resolve conflict within their communities. In 2001 Gabriel and Branson took their idea to Nelson Mandela and Graa Machel. Mandela is immediately enthusiastic and, with the help of Graa Machel and Desmond Tutu, sets about bringing together the group of Elders that created the organization.

Out of deep concern for the challenges currently facing all of the people of
our world, Nelson Mandela, Graa Machel and Desmond Tutu have convened a group of leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackling some of the world's toughest problems. Never before has such a powerful group of leaders come together. Free from political, economic, or military pressures.

The only agenda of The Elders is that of humanity, and their only purpose is to ease human suffering in three essential areas:

1) Offering a catalyst for peaceful resolution of conflict.

2) Seeking new approaches to seemingly intractable global issues.

3) Sharing wisdom: reaching out to grassroots Elders and to the next
generation of leaders. Listening and helping to amplify voices for good all
over the world.

The Elders latest action is the Every Human Has Rights campaign. This is
seen as an opportunity for individuals all over the planet to discover and
rediscover the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, read it, sign it, and
pledge to live by its principals.