Welcome to The Youngers!

The Youngers is a simple idea with a powerful message. In 2007 a group of twelve world greats, headed up by Nelson Mandela, came together to form The Elders. The idea was that we live in a global village and just as every village in Africa has its Elders, the world should have a knowledge bank of experience - enter The Elders.

Never before has such a powerful group of leaders come together. Free from political, economic or military pressures. The only agenda of The Elders is that of humanity. And their only purpose is to ease human suffering in three essential areas:

1. Offering a catalyst for the peaceful resolution of conflict.
 

2. Seeking new approaches to seemingly intractable global issues.
 

3. Sharing wisdom: reaching out to grassroots Elders and to the next generation of leaders. Listening and helping to amplify voices for good all over the world. 

The Youngers

In 2007 the idea for The Youngers was born. The idea for The Youngers was inspired by the Elders and we are currently seeking their partnership. The Youngers aims to be a mirror body of The Elders identical in number opposite in age. The sole purpose of The Youngers is to engage young people across the planet in the issues that effect all humanity and our future. We feel the best legacy The Elders can leave is to inspire and engage the next generation through their knowledge bank.

The Youngers is not-for-profit that aims to learn from the knowledge bank of The Elders and to bring their story to young people worldwide. Furthermore, The Youngers aims to engage and facilitate young people from around the world to come together online to discuss the various important issues that face our generation.

The Youngers, there are three important parts:

1. The-Youngers.org

A global social network where young people can come together to discuss the work of The Elders as well as debate the issues that face us all. Through this social network we aim to unite young people across the planet in the issues we all face as a generation. School children in the States will be able to discuss climate change or famine with school children in China, India and so on.

2. The 12 Youngers

Through The-Youngers.org social network 12 Youngers from continents across the planet to be voted in by the other users in a democratic way. We are seeking the support of companies with a global reach such as Google, MTV, Facebook, Orkut, Myspace to launch the Global Hunt for The Youngers. Each of The 12 Youngers could be assigned an Elder to shadow. The purpose of the Youngers would be to speak as the world’s first youth ambassadors to humanity. Through their connection to The Elders they will be able to speak with more authority.

3. The Youngers TV Documentary

The final part of The Youngers is to bring their message to a wide audience through a global television documentary. Our aim is that through this documentary the vast majority of the planet will be aware of the Elders and be able to learn from their knowledge bank.

Can you help us make The Youngers a reality?

Please contact Lucian Tarnowski for more information:
E: info@the-youngers.org
W: www.The-Youngers.org

The Youngers,
The Hub,
5 Torrens Street,
London,
EC1V 1NQ
UK

The founding members of The Elders are:

Nelson Mandela - Former President of South Africa

Kofi Annan - Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Desmond Tutu - Archbishop-Emeritus [Chair of The Elders]

Gro Harlem Brundtland - Former Prime Minister of Norway

Mary Robinson - Former President of Ireland

Jimmy Carter - Former President of the United States of America

Li Zhaoxing - Former foreign minister of the People's Republic of China

Muhammad Yunus - Founder of Grameen Bank

Ela Bhatt - Founder of India 's Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)

Graca Machel - President of the Foundation for Community Development (FDC)