Nelson Mandela and The Elders

Members of The Elders: Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, Leah Tutu, Desmond Tutu (Image: The Elders, Flikr)

Former Irish President Mary Robinson talks about The Elders, a group of respected world leaders assembled by Nelson Mandela to tackle some of the world's most divisive issues.

People around the globe celebrated Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday last week -- 20 years ago, nearly a billion people tuned-in around the globe to catch a historic birthday bash and concert in London, to push for his release from prison, and an end to apartheid. Mandela triumphantly walked out of prison a couple years later, and onto the world stage. -- first as South Africa's first black president, then as a tireless crusader for human rights and dignity.

Mandela recently helped launch the Elders, a group of respected former statesmen and women, working together to resolve some the world's problems.

Fellow "Elder" and former Irish President Mary Robinson talks to Tavis Smiley about the group's combined efforts to push for human rights across the globe.

Robinson says their current campaign, Every Human Has Rights, spotlights the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- which is critical in these times of global conflict.

Currently, members of The Elders include Desmond Tutu, Ela Bhatt, Gro Brndtland, Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Yunus, Graca Machel, Kofi Anan, Lakhdar Brahimi, Fernando H. Cardoso, Mary Robinson and Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The Tavis Smiley Show" is a weekly show offering a unique blend of news and newsmakers in expanded conversations, along with feature reports and regular commentators. "The Tavis Show is produced by Tavis Smiley productions, and distributed nationwide by PRI.

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