was listening to Richard Branson this am and he discussed this group. Branson claimed that they had a deal with Hussein to retire to Syria and the last step was for two "elders" to visit him and guarantee his safety. Bombs started before elders arrived..no idea if true but the concept of senior statesman froma roudn the world joing together to try and mediate difficult international situations seems legit way of trying to make a difference. Who we are | The Elders How was the group formed? The concept originates from a conversation between the entrepreneur Richard Branson and the musician Peter Gabriel. The idea they discussed was simple: many communities look to their elders for guidance, or to help resolve disputes. In an increasingly interdependent world - a ‘global village’ - could a small, dedicated group of individuals use their collective experience and influence to help tackle some of the most pressing problems facing the world today? What makes an Elder? Elders no longer hold public office; they are independent of any national government or other vested interest. They should have earned international trust, demonstrated integrity and built a reputation for inclusive, progressive leadership. The Elders share a common commitment to peace and universal human rights, but they also bring with them a wealth of diverse expertise and experience: An Elder is also a changemaker - someone who can lead by example, creating positive social change and inspiring others to do the same. How do they work? The Elders is an unusual organisation with a distinct way of working. The Elders work strategically, focusing on areas where they are uniquely placed to make a difference. This can mean engaging in private advocacy, using their collective influence to open doors and gain access to decision-makers. At other times, The Elders work publicly to promote neglected issues and speak out against injustice. The group decides collectively where there is the greatest opportunity to make a real impact, whether this is:
Please reduce the OP to the 4 paragraph rule. (I'll give you time to edit so as to not harm the context)
Those two are not American citizens, but I'm pretty sure that would illegal if a US citizen did that. Private citizens can't engage in foreign policy negotiations, per the Logan Act. Maybe I'm wrong. Not sure if the UK has similar laws.
