FOR RELEASE: July 22, 2010

 

 

(TACOMA, WA – July 22, 2010) – Archbishop Desmond Tutu announced today his plans for retirement from public life including speaking engagements and appearances at events.  Beginning on his 79th birthday, October 7, 2010, he will begin limiting his time in the office to one day per week until the end of February 2011 when his office begins its official winding down process.

 

A representative from Archbishop Tutu’s office confirmed today that he will be honoring his commitments through May 2011 and adding no new commitments.  They believe The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation’s May 13, 2011 event in the Tacoma Dome will be the last major event he is involved with outside of South Africa.

 

Tickets for the Friday, May 13, 2011 event in the Tacoma Dome will be available for purchase to the public and will go on sale in early 2011.

 

Last month, The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation announced a unique partnership with Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound to continue efforts to address and reduce youth violence in Pierce County.  This partnership culminates with the visit from Archbishop Tutu to reinforce the importance of coming together to strengthen the community.

 

“It is gratifying to be involved in this community-wide effort that Tacoma and Pierce County have embarked upon,” said Archbishop Tutu last month.  “Bringing people together is what I call ‘ubuntu’ which means ‘I am because we are.’  Far too often people think of themselves as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”

 

Recognizing the community’s need for inspiration and hope, the Community Foundation, Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound, are combining resources to create a community wide initiative to unite and engage the community; create and deliver inspirational strategies for youth violence prevention; and provide a vehicle for youth leadership. 

 

The culminating event in May 2011 will feature a keynote address by Archbishop Tutu, a world-renowned human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. A prominent leader in the crusade for justice and racial conciliation in South Africa, Tutu became heavily embroiled in controversy as he spoke out against the injustices of the apartheid system.  In 1984 he received a Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the cause. President Nelson Mandela appointed him Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995, a body set up to probe gross human rights violations that occurred under apartheid. Shortly after his retirement from office as Archbishop of Cape Town in 1996, Tutu was granted the honorary title of Archbishop Emeritus.

 

The Community Foundation is encouraging schools, government bodies, the business-sector, nonprofit organizations, and religious leaders to create programs under this message.  For more information, visit www.gtcf.org.