Friday, January 9, 2026

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Via The Elders \\\ Elders warn against a return to a ‘might-is-right’ world

09 January 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Elders warn against a return to a ‘might-is-right’ world

STATEMENT: We are witnessing the breakdown of the long-standing principle, enshrined in the UN Charter after the devastation of World War II, that the use of force is justified only in self-defence.

The armed intervention in Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro is illegal under international law. It is a violation of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It does not meet the legal threshold of self-defence. (There has been no armed attack.)

Evidence of grave human rights violations, including crimes against humanity, by the Maduro regime are well-documented, notably by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission reporting to the UN. Those responsible should be held to account by the International Criminal Court (ICC). We urge the ICC to act on the evidence, and for all states to respect the independent operations of the Court.

If Venezuelans are to escape the vicious cycle of illegality, autocracy, and repression which they have long endured, it is essential to restore their democratic freedoms. There are currently worrying signs that this may not happen, and that the illegitimate regime will survive. Continuing political turmoil and armed conflict are a risk, as we have seen following other foreign interventions. The release of some political prisoners is welcome. All such prisoners must be freed. Elections should be held as soon as possible and meet the highest standards of accountability and transparency (as we called for after the 2024 elections). Venezuelans must choose their own leaders.

Stability in Latin America, as elsewhere, depends on consistent respect for state sovereignty. Disputes should be resolved by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. Yet the US intervention is the latest in a growing list of breaches of international law by powerful states, with more being threatened. Equally troubling is the idea that powerful states can carve up the world into spheres of influence. History should teach us the consequences of these trends.

When viewed alongside the subsequent US withdrawal of membership of or funding to another 66 international organisations, these actions signal a broader retreat from multilateralism.

Political leaders must robustly defend the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, in particular sovereignty, political independence, and the territorial integrity of states. These principles have helped prevent a third world war for over 80 years. Leaders must do so consistently - not just when it suits them - or international law becomes meaningless, and the world drifts towards anarchy and chaos.

The consequences of this breakdown not being stopped could be very adverse for all the peoples of the world, including for those who live in powerful states. World stability is in danger. It is in everyone’s interests for the international rule of law to be defended when it is under threat, as it is now.

ENDS

Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders

Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, Co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former head of the UN Development Programme

Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate

Denis Mukwege, physician and human rights advocate, Nobel Peace Laureate

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico

Media enquiries

Karim Lebhour, Director of Communications
T: + 44 7880 230 978
media@theElders.org

About The Elders

The Elders are independent global leaders working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet. The group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007.

The Elders are Gro Harlem Brundtland, Helen Clark, Elbegdorj Tsakhia, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Hina Jilani, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Graça Machel (Deputy Chair), Denis Mukwege, Mary Robinson, Juan Manuel Santos (Chair) and Ernesto Zedillo.

Ban Ki-moon, Lakhdar Brahimi, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Ricardo Lagos and Muhammad Yunus are Elders Emeritus.

Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) and Kofi Annan (1938-2018) were founding members of The Elders and served as Chairs from 2007 to 2013 and 2013 to 2018 respectively. Ela Bhatt (1933-2022) and Martti Ahtisaari (1937-2023) were members of The Elders from 2007 to 2016 and 2009 to 2018 respectively. Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) was also a founding member of The Elders.

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Thursday, January 8, 2026

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Link to I talk I gave in 2021 in Sacramento - they were most patient

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Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings on Daily Practice

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January 8, 2026

Committing to a Daily Practice

Committing to a daily practice is no small feat. Work, children, painful emotions, or any number of causes can interfere. But it’s important to remember that you can always begin again. Just as we return thoughts to the breath over and over in mindfulness of breath meditation, we return to the cushion, shrine, or wherever we practice, again and again.

Showing up is a major accomplishment in and of itself, meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg says. While evaluating how your practice is going is certainly necessary, you needn’t do so every time. As Salzberg’s teacher Munindraji told her once, “Just put your body there.”

If you lack discipline or motivation, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, find something that inspires you—something that brings you joy. That might be art, journaling, or a community. Every year at Tricycle we offer a meditation program to encourage a daily practice because we know we all need extra support sometimes. (See here for more information about this year’s Meditation Month. Start from day 1 any time.)

Be patient with yourself and do what works. Also, consider using ordinary, everyday moments to cultivate your practice or the qualities that support it. And remember that life and mediation are a two-way street. As Salzberg says, “The way we do anything can reflect the way we do everything.”

This week’s Three Teachings reminds us that every day is a good day for starting a daily practice and offers creative ideas to help you stick with it.

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Sticking With It
By Sharon Salzberg

Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg offers specific advice for returning to practice over and over in the face of common doubts and self-criticism.

Everyday Meditation
By Joseph Goldstein

Meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein offers a nine-minute-a-day practice—or three short practices to do each day—to reach transformative depths for those unable to take longer retreats.

The Spiritual Guide Called Suffering
By Anyen Rinpoche and Allison Choying Zangmo

Anyen Rinpoche, a tulku from a Tibetan tulku in the Nyingma tradition, and his translator, Allison Choying Zangmo, remind us that we must practice—we must face our internal dharma—even when things are going well.

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