Jimmy Carter is stepping down from his role with The Elders, an international NGO.
The Elders is comprised of notable public figures whose mission is to “help resolve some of the world’s most intractable conflicts.” It is chaired by Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations, and consists of 11 Elders and one honorary Elder.
Nelson Mandela founded The Elders in 2007.
“From the Middle East to climate change, women’s rights to superpower diplomacy, Jimmy has brought the gravitas of his presidential office but also the passion of an activist who believes the world can, and must, be changed for the better,” Annan said in a statement Wednesday. “The Elders would not be the organization it is today without his drive and vision, and he will stay an inspiration for all of us for many years ahead.”
Carter is one of those 11 current Elders. He will now hold the title of honorary “Emeritus” Elder, the group said.
The former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner traveled with The Elders for its first mission to Sudan in 2007 and was part of every delegation to the Middle East, most recently in May 2015 to draw attention to the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Carter, 91, said in December he was cancer-free and then announced in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment after being diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.
