The Elders initiative is seeking to bring wisdom and perspective to global issues, says Martin Marty. What they have to take on are not just secular assumptions but ones deeply rooted in mistaken religious ideologies.

People in Britain rate committed campaigners such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King far more highly than celebrities such as Sir Bob Geldof and Angelina Jolie, a recent YouGov poll commissioned by Christian Aid shows.

Nelson Mandela, who played a crucial role in ending apartheid in South Africa, is 90 today. After a series of public appearances around the world over the past few weeks, he will spending the day at home with his family.

After "what can be described as a façade election", the World Council of Churches has called for global action and the protection of Zimbabweans "against increased and continued violence".

After years of private anger, masked by a diplomatic commitment not to undermine his successor as South African president, Nelson Mandela has condemned Robert Mugabe's dictatorial regime in Zimbabwe.

Following hot on the heels of the Rev Jesse Jackson, in Britain last week to launch the economic equality campaign Equanomics, ex-South African president Nelson Mandela was hailed in London yesterday in advance of today's unveiling of a London statue of him.

Nobel Peace Laureate and ex-Archbishop Desmond Tutu is to chair a global group of “elders” who will visit some of the world’s conflict zones to offer experience, wisdom, and advice on moving toward non-violent solutions.