Elected: 1991
Country (Nationality)
South Africa
Discipline
Cultural Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences
Bio
The Archbishop Tutu obtained first degree in 1954 from the univesity of South Africa and his M.Sc. in Theology in 1966 (UK). He then taught theology for 5 years at the School of Theology of the Anglican community of South Africa.
He has been the Bishop of Lesotho; the first Black African Dean of St. Mary’s Cathedral (Johannesburg), Secretary General of the South African Council of Churches and Archbishop of Cape Town. He has also Honorary Doctorates from a number of Universities in USA (Harvard University), UK (University of Kent) and Germany (Ruhr University).
He is currently Archbishop Emeritus and Chairman of the group of “The Elders” (a private initiative mobilizing the experience of Senior World leaders outside the conventional diplomatic process). His interests focus on democracy and just society; forgiveness and cooperation rather than revenge for past injustices; conflict resolution and peace promotion around the World.
He criticized the apartheid system; called for equal rights and common education, the repeal of the oppressive restrictions and the cessation of forced deportation from the “homelands” in South Africa. He was subjected to the crudeness of the apartheid Government but; advised for non violence resistance. He was Chair of the Commission “Truth and Reconciliation” for the peaceful settlement in South Africa appointed by the former President Nelson Mandela. He has published collections of his speeches like Crying in the Wilderness, Hope and Suffering and the Making of a Peaceful Revolution.
He was named by the US President Barack Obama to receive the Presidential Medal of freedom for his efforts to peace accomplishments.