World headlines barrage us nearly daily of strife in places like Ukraine, Gaza and Syria.
Nearly every week we hear of another crisis resulting from issues like climate change, human rights violations, social injustice and refugee crises which transcend borders.
The need for putting expert statesmanship and global experience toward finding solutions has never been greater. But transnational, global issues often require solutions beyond a single nation’s political or economic capacity.
How do we meet this need?
What if there was an organization of expert leaders — many of them former statesmen and women themselves — who can influence, advocate, raise ideas, offer solutions and increase awareness to the world’s most pressing issues? A group who, despite differing beliefs and cultural backgrounds, could champion human rights and press for change?
This concept, envisioned by activist Nelson Mandela, entrepreneur Richard Branson, musician Peter Gabriel and a handful of others, became a reality in 2007 in the form of The Elders.
The Elders is a group of renowned global leaders, independent of any national government or other vested interest, who share a commitment to peace and universal human rights.
Pulling together their wealth of experience and influence, they spearhead change and work toward finding a solution to challenges, including equality for girls and women, conflicts between nations and religious groups, climate change, violence and socio-economic justice.
Engaging students, community leaders and government representatives in meaningful dialogues with the hope of sparking change, The Elders strive to make the world a place "where people live in peace, conscious of their common humanity and their shared responsibilities."
You have probably heard of individual members of The Elders, not knowing he or she was part of the organization.
This month, the people of Hawaii will have a unique opportunity to engage three members of The Elders: former prime minister of Norway and former director- general of the World Health Organization Gro Harlem Brundtland; renowned Pakistani lawyer and human rights leader Hina Jilani; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate and veteran anti-apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Pillars of Peace Hawaii will host their visit and public talk, "A Just and Inclusive Global Community," on Sunday. (The afternoon event is sold out, but will be live-streamed; see www.pillarsofpeacehawaii.org.)
As The Elders stress, every individual — you — can make an impact and create positive change.
Join The Elders in an exchange of ideas this summer and help make Hawaii a leading voice on peace and ethical leadership. Our unique Hawaiian history, culture and spirit of aloha can play a significant role in the realization of The Elders’ vision.
In an ever-connected world, The Elders and their mission broaden the conversation to tackle global problems and reach universal goals, beyond politics and nation-state borders.
