Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Key Contributions, Awards & Notable Works
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GS Paper |
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Topics for UPSC Prelims |
Desmond Tutu, Apartheid, Nobel Peace Prize, Truth & Reconciliation Commission |
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Topics for UPSC Mains |
Anti-Apartheid Movement, Human Rights Advocacy, Social Reconciliation |
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a towering figure in the anti-apartheid movement, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the man who has been vocalized throughout the world due to his relentless fight against racial injustice and passionate advocacy for human rights and equality. Born in South Africa, Desmond Tutu's legacy extends beyond his native country, marking an indelible mark to the global human rights efforts. His position as a bishop fueled his efforts toward moral and ethical campaigns. He became an influential figure in not only religious but also political spheres.
The life and contribution of Archbishop Desmond Tutu falls under the General Studies Paper I of the UPSC Mains examination. It comes under the heading of world history, great personalities, and the impact they have had upon society. It perfectly blends with the idea of modern societies' growth with significant international movements such as the fight against apartheid and the lives of powerful world leaders.
Read the article on Racism in India!
About Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born on October 7, 1931, in Klerksdorp, South Africa. He was an active leader against such a brutal regime of the apartheid with his massive activism and deep moral authority towards showing resistance. During his early years, he had been educated as a teacher. But life took a sharp turn towards theology where he found a calling as an Anglican Church leader and gave hope to many who were held under South Africa's racial rules.
Early Life and Career of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Tutu was born to an ordinary family where his father was a school teacher while his mother worked as a domestic worker. The Tutus lived in an economically strained setup, yet Desmond managed to advance in academics. He then enrolled for a teaching diploma course at Pretoria Bantu Normal College. Some years down the line, Tutu dropped out from teaching, though he did that to present a resignation from teaching duties; this time against the backdrop of a protest over the Bantu Education Act.
By 1958, he had become a student at St. Peter's Theological College in Johannesburg. Two years later, in 1960, Tutu was ordained as an Anglican priest and further became an advocate for greater social justice. He continued studying for a Master of Theology at King's College London. Returning to South Africa, Tutu became a lecturer at the Federal Theological Seminary and later chaplain at the University of Fort Hare, setting down some foundations for the very much more important roles that he was destined to fulfill.
Read the article on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)!
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Contributions of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's contribution toward the fight against apartheid and human rights worldwide is vast and multi-faceted:
Anti-Apartheid Advocacy
Tutu was also a strong antagonist against apartheid, and he also brought the Church into the anti-apartheid campaign against the government. He addressed the issues of apartheid in sermons and other public speeches. He abhorred racial segregation and clamored for international sanctions against the government of South Africa. As an official in the South African Council of Churches, he gave anti-apartheid activism an organizational sound footing.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
TRC, headed by Archbishop Tutu during the period when President Nelson Mandela presided, was a very useful tool through which people would be able to come to terms with their past as an anti-apartheid and post-apartheid period. However, even though his TRC helped to give an environment to forgive each other and heal the nation, he criticised those who did not engage actively with it.
Human Rights Advocacy
Beyond South Africa Tutu was a global advocate of human rights. On this front, he called out against HIV/AIDS-related discriminations and sexual-orientation and homophobia along with sexism. He was actually advocating for Palestinian rights and condemning Israeli politics and policies. He also made efforts to fight global poverty along with climate change.
Educational Contributions
He contributed to education reform and advocacy. He popularized quality education for all through his writings and speeches as a tool for ending inequality and fostering peaceful coexistence.
What is Apartheid?Apartheid refers to the political and social system of South Africa that existed during the period of white minority rule. Legally adopted by the government of the National Party in 1948, apartheid was a system entrenching racial discrimination and segregation. This system produced racial groups that it classified the population into: 'white' primarily, 'black,' 'coloured,' and 'Indian,' with strict residential, educational, and political segregation. Blacks formed the majority and were massively restricted and disenfranchised. These apartheid policies nearly strangled all the spheres of life. They did not allow inter racial marriage to take place, separated Blacks in isolated places and also schools, and even canceled their electoral rights. That force was very strong within the territories of South Africa as well as through-out the international platforms who after their efforts finally made the collective will to destroy this form. At the end, it finally toppled during the last period of the 1980's. In that, democratic changes started with Nelson Mandela winning the election in 1994. |
Read the article on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)!
Notable Works of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has, in the course of his lifetime, penned many important books and made thousands of speeches that fundamentally shifted social justice movements worldwide. The most important works include:
- "No Future Without Forgiveness": The book is a documentation of tutu's work and role in TRC and how forgiveness as well as reconciliation healed a divided nation.
- "God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time": Reflections and meditations on hope, justice, and the power of forgiveness.
- "The Book of Joy": This book is a co-authoring with the Dalai Lama. He explores what joy is and how to generate it in the midst of the trials of life.
- "Cry, The Beloved Country": Frequently used in speeches by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the book was written by Alan Paton to illustrate the effects of apartheid.
- "Made for Goodness": This is a book co-authored by his daughter, Mpho Tutu, where it discusses the goodness of all people and possibilities for change in society.
Read the article on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights!
Awards Received by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu through armed struggle and other tireless efforts at seeking equality and justice received multitudes of awards and accolades bestowed on him by international realms:
- Nobel Peace Prize 1984: For his movements as an opposition towards apartheid, in non-violent manners.
- Presidential Medal of Freedom 2009: For outstanding efforts toward protection and promotion of human rights across the globe.
- Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, 1986: For his humanitarian efforts and contributions to peace and justice.
- Templeton Prize, 2013: For his lifetime contributions to spiritual and social growth.
- Gandhi Peace Prize, 2005: For his work toward peace and reconciliation awarded by the Government of India.
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