Nelson Mandela is using the occasion of his 89th birthday today to launch a new organisation of former world leaders that is to tackle some of the world's most pressing problems. This report from Peter Greste:

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Arguably, the world's most respected elder statesman, Nelson Mandela, is to mark his eighty ninth birthday by introducing the elite group of international leaders. The idea originated with British entrepreneur Richard Branson and musician, Peter Gabriel, who wanted to create a world council of elders to take on big issues such as AIDS and global warming.

According to a statement from the organisers, the group will contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity in addressing some of the world's toughest problems. It is a big idea with powerful people behind it.

Although it's not yet clear who will serve on the council, among those attending the launch will be South Africa's retired Anglican archbishop, Desmond Tutu, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the former US president Jimmy Carter and the former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

There is no shortage of moral authority there but the former leaders have also long since left the real levers of power behind them.

Peter Greste, BBC, Johannesburg

Listen to the words

Respect for the wisdom of elders
show by your behaviour that you believe older people are wise and have good ideas

deeply embedded
very strongly believed

at the heart of this latest initiative
is the most important part of this most recent idea or plan

highest profile retirees
the most well known people who are no longer in the powerful jobs that made them famous

elder statesman
older public figure who people think is good at giving advice and who behaves well and is dignified

originated with
began with

integrity
honesty, truthfulness

the launch
the beginning of something (here a new group of international older public figures)

former president
previous president, someone who is no longer the president

no shortage of moral authority
have a lot of power to tell others what is the right or wrong way to behave

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