http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/19/1983170.htm
Old wisdom unites to solve global dilemmas
Most people solve the world's problems with some old friends and a good
bottle of wine over dinner.
But when former South African president Nelson Mandela brings his old
friends together, there is a chance they might make a bit more progress
than the average dinner party.
Mr Mandela brought together a who's who of international statesmen and
women to help celebrate his 89th birthday and embark on a global
humanitarian mission.
The council, called The Elders, will work on tackling AIDS, poverty,
international crime and other pressing global issues.
It is the brainchild of billionaire businessman Richard Branson and
musician Peter Gabriel, and The Elders involved include the former
secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and former US
president Jimmy Carter.
Also joining the man they call 'Mandiba' in Johannesburg was former
Irish president Mary Robinson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who explained
the thinking behind the new council.
In traditional societies, it was the elders of the village who were
trusted to resolve conflicts and provide wise guidance, Mr Tutu said.
Today we live in a global village, yet we don't have our global elders
to lead and inspire.
At last night's launch, Mr Gabriel sang a song about another
anti-apartheid activist, Steven Biko.
Mr Mandela expressed his enthusiasm for the council.
I am confident that The Elders can become a real role model, leading,
guiding. The Elders can speak freely and boldly.
Mr Carter is confident the lack of a political imperative will give The
Elders the ability to achieve more than those in elected office.
With no adverse political consequences and prospect of criticism from
constituency or seeking public office, we will be able to risk failure
in worthy causes and we will not need to claim credit for any successes
that might be achieved, he said.
Global mission
Mr Annan explained the group's goals.
We all need to come together and work across national boundaries and
deal with these problems, and I'm referring to problems of poverty,
environmental degradation, infectious diseases, internationally
organised crime, weapons of mass destruction, I can go on, he said.
It is unclear how The Elders will succeed in solving some of the world's
great problems where the UN and a myriad of other organisations have
failed, but Mr Mandela is confident the wisdom of his friends can help.
Using their collective experience, their moral courage and their
ability to rise above the parochial concerns of nation, erase and
create, they can help and make our planet a more peaceful, healthy and
equitable place to live, he said.
Mr Mandela continued his birthday later in the day with a celebrity
soccer match.
One of the world's greatest players, Brazil's Pele, led a group of 50
players in an Africa versus the 'Rest of World' match labelled as '90
minutes for Mandela'.
The match was played on Robben Island, where Mr Mandela was imprisoned
for 27 years.
And the result of the match? Befitting a day dedicated to solving the
world's problems, it was a three-all draw.
--
Contentment comes not from having more, but from wanting less.
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All generalizations are false. Including this one.
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