Archbishop Desmond Tutu

When he was born, Desmond Tutu was given the middle name “Mpilo,” Sotho for “life,” because he was a sickly baby, not expected to survive. “That,” he has said, “was my first commitment to faith.”

His faith in and commitment to the peaceful destiny of South Africa earned Archbishop Tutu the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. He served for years as his country’s voice of conscience during its long struggle against apartheid. When that battle was finally won, Archbishop Tutu took the lead in ministering to the nation’s wounds. His findings as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission marked a significant step in South Africa’s healing process, as well as an international reminder of the commitment to the pursuit of freedom and justice.

As chairman of The Elders, a nonpartisan group of influential global statesmen, he has honored his pledge to speak out about ongoing injustice and help others to work for positive change in their societies. Tutu recently made worldwide headlines by joining with former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, in the fight for environmental justice at the world’s first International Conference on Climate Change.

One of the world’s most revered human rights champions, Archbishop Tutu is dedicated to continue working, even after abuses have been halted, toward the reconciliation, forgiveness and healing of affected nations, peoples and societies in order to create a positive future.

Archbishop Tutu’s unshakeable faith that humanity was created for good in God’s image is chronicled in his new book Made for Goodness, co-written with daughter Mpho. Highlighting his ministry and activism experiences, the book imparts a message of realizing the goodness in ourselves and others in pursuing a fulfilled life.

In 2009, President Obama awarded Archbishop Tutu the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest civilian honor—for his significant contributions to the nation and the world. The Archbishop’s great friend Nelson Mandela perfectly sums up his legacy: "sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humor.”