SOUTH AFRICA:Former president Mary Robinson has joined elder world statesmen such as Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter on a team of experienced past leaders that is seeking to resolve conflict across the globe.
South African icon Nelson Mandela unveiled the panel of trouble-shooting "elders" at a ceremony in Johannesburg yesterday. Mr Mandela, who was also celebrating his 89th birthday, said the members of the group had been chosen by him "not because of their age, but because of their individual and collective wisdom".
The group is to try to broker peace in locations where governments and international organisations have failed.
"We don't presume that we will replace governments, or the United Nations, or other bodies," Mrs Robinson said. "We merely seek to renew a global commitment to advancing human rights for all. This group will use our collective experience to address problems in a holistic way."
Businessman Richard Branson has secured $18 million in funding for the first three years of "The Elders" - an idea which was first mooted by him and musician Peter Gabriel seven years ago.
Mr Mandela said it had grown since then into a "real, viable and pragmatic initiative".
Other "elders" include Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who is chairing the group; Norwegian ex-prime minister Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland; Indian development activist Ela Bhatt; former Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing; anti-poverty campaigner and Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus; and Graca Machel, Mr Mandela's wife and a human rights advocate.
An empty seat was left on the stage yesterday to account for honorary member Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still under house arrest in Burma (Myanmar).
Brokering a solution to Zimbabwe's political crisis was mentioned as a possible first cause for the group.
Mr Annan, who stepped down last year as secretary-general of the UN, said the group did not have a "magic wand" to sort out problems like those in Darfur or Somalia. However, he said, it could play a role in getting people to adhere to peace agreements.
Mr Carter, who served as US president between 1977 and 1981, said the strength of the "elders" was its "complete freedom" from pressure groups, electoral constituencies and other "political niceties". Asked if the "elders" could make a difference, Mr Carter gave the one-word answer: "Yes."