Focus
The Elders
In 1999 Peter began a conversation with Richard Branson about the need for a new gathering of world leaders for our increasingly interconnected global village. They took the idea for such a group, which they called "The Elders" to the man who embodies the qualities of leadership they were seeking - Nelson Mandela.
Peter said, "In traditional societies, elders always had a role in conflict resolution, long-term thinking and applying wisdom wherever it was needed. We are moving to this global village and yet we don't have our global elders."
In 2007, Peter and Richard's vision became a reality. Mandela announced the formation of The Elders on his 89th birthday in Johannesburg saying "This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes. They will reach out to those who most need their help. They will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair."
Prospective members were invited to join on the basis of a distinct set of criteria. Firstly, and most importantly, they should be independent. They should have earned international trust, demonstrated integrity, and built a reputation for inclusive, progressive leadership.
The Elders include six Nobel Peace Laureates and come from all over the world. They are Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu. Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi are honorary Elders.
- www.theelders.org
- Follow The Elders on Twitter
- Watch Peter Gabriel and Richard Branson talk about the formation of The Elders
Witness
Peter founded Witness in 1992, an organization that uses video to advance human rights. WITNESS has provided video cameras and training to over 150 groups in 50 countries around the world. WITNESS helps them use video as evidence before courts, regional commissions and the United Nations, as a tool for public education, and as a deterrent to further abuse. WITNESS also gives local human rights groups a global voice, by distributing their video to the media and broadcasting it online at www.witness.org.
WITNESS video has been broadcast by the BBC, CNN, ABC, PBS, Oprah, and satellite and cable stations worldwide forcing the Mexican government to reform their country's psychiatric facilities, the Philippine government to investigate the murders of numerous indigenous activists, and catalyzing the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in the US. WITNESS videos influence policy and spur discussion about the tough issues confronting our world today.
"Armed with cameras, front-line activists are letting the truth do the talking." - Peter Gabriel
WITNESS is a pioneer in the use of video and technology to fight for human rights. WITNESS gives human rights activists video cameras and help them to expose the crimes, right the wrongs, and end impunity for human rights violators.
WITNESS partners with human rights organizations throughout the world, and trains grassroots activists in video and investigative techniques. WITNESS equips them with the latest technology, provides assistance in field video productions, and ensures that the evidence generated gets an international audience.
Amnesty International
Launched in 1961, Amnesty International is a non-partisan organisation campaigning for worldwide adherence to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Campaigns focus on prisoners of conscience, fair and prompt trials for political prisoners, extrajudicial executions and "disappearances", and abolition of the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment during custody and imprisonment.
These abuses take place in countries of widely differing ideologies; AI remains impartial in all cases, in the belief that the protection of human rights is an international responsibility, transcending the boundaries of nations and ideologies.
The Amnesty International movement is run democratically, funded by donations from members and supporters around the world, and its supreme governing body is an International Council of elected delegates from AI sections worldwide.
