The Elders' Debate: inspiring the youth

“It is your future, it is all in your hands!”

This the encouragement from the four panelists at the The Elders’ debate, live on the 2nd of June.

The programme saw President Carter, Kofi Annan, President Robinson and Hina Jilani in an open dialogue with young people on current affairs’ topics.
Matthew Amroliwala presented the special edition on air at 16:00 GTM on BBC World News.

The guests are four of The Elders, the group officially launched in July 2007 by Nelson Mandela.

The aim was to gather former statemen and statewomen in order to work for peace and human rights in the 'global village' that occurs to be our even more interconnected world.

Any questions?

The topics treated:

Middle East

Who should do what?
How to free people from extremism?
What if President Assan were to fall from power?

"We cannot allow #IS to continue their brutality unchecked. We need a coalition of US and regional powers" @KofiAnnan #EldersDebate

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

'#IS is hijacking and distorting the message of that religion, for their own political agenda' - Hina Jilani #EldersDebate @BBCWorld

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

Migration

Any responsibility from the EU for giving asylum?
Is there adequate aid?

#Migration: As a European I am quite ashamed at the response - Mary Robinson #EldersDebate

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

We need to make a distinction between economic migrants and refugees. Refugees usually have no choice. #EldersDebate #BBC

— Kofi Annan (@KofiAnnan) 2 Giugno 2015

The basic cause of #migration is too much conflict & war. Kofi Annan is right that EU needs to be more receptive. Jimmy Carter #EldersDebate

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

Russia

Are sanctions on Russia economy working?

Jimmy Carter: "IS is a perfect example for the UNSC to act in unity. Russia fears Islamic State as much as anyone else" #EldersDebate

— Matthew Amroliwala (@AmroliwalaBBC) 2 Giugno 2015

In the middle of the rounds for the current issues, it came the "quickfire" turn: each Elder was addressed with a specific question related to his/her area of major interest.


"What advice would you give to your 18 years old self?" was the final round which closed the debate.

You are never too young to lead, have ideas and do what you believe is right - Kofi Annan #EldersDebate @BBCWorld @BBCNews @AmroliwalaBBC

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

We have made change. If we’d taken things more seriously it would've come faster. HJ on #climatechange #EldersDebate pic.twitter.com/p128oZFnuN

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

When I was 18. I would have said let’s make sure the US becomes the champions of peace and human rights - Jimmy Carter #EldersDebate

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

"Seek forgiveness, not permission" - Mary Robinson's advice to young people #EldersDebate on @BBCWorld and @BBCNews

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

Free interaction among the Elders, the around-20-years-old audience in the studio, and the live reactions from the social media, sustained the lively pace of the one-hour programme.

As former authorities still engaged with global issues, the Elders are able to talk above and over possible political constraints.

Such honest debate helps to understand the youth is not so wrong, despite the usual pessimism in the air for our ideas.
The are values that are still worth fighting for, althought the ongoing financial and humanitarian crises.

The right encouragement and ears ready to listen to are what is sometimes missing.

That wraps up our live tweeting for The Elders on @AmroliwalaBBC @BBCWorld! Look out for video clips #EldersDebate pic.twitter.com/KCTWzJLqYq

— The Elders (@TheElders) 2 Giugno 2015

If you have missed the on air, you can still catch up with the BBC news report or the videos on The Elders' website.