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Remembering Archbishop Desmond Tutu

27 December 2021

We have compiled a selection of tributes from Arch's friends, colleagues and those inspired by his leadership.

Desmond Tutu: a life in pictures

26 December 2021

Archbishop Desmond Tutu served as Chair of The Elders between 2007 and 2013.

The Elders mourn the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The Elders are deeply saddened at the passing of their dear friend and colleague Archbishop Desmond Tutu. His passing follows a long and brave battle against cancer, which never dimmed his determination to fight against injustice in all its forms.

What does it take to reach our full potential as climate activists?

Young siblings Jayson and Jayrose 'Mika' Capelle from the Marshall Islands write about their experiences as climate activists in a climate-vulnerable island state, and how the climate crisis is about more than climate change.

Climate Change: a threat to human health in Nigeria. Let’s take action!

Adegbile Deborah Morayo, a 12-year-old climate activist from Nigeria, writes about living with the impacts of environmental degradation and how this drives her passion to be a climate activist advocating for the right to a clean and healthy environment.

Elders Statements

Mary Robinson appointed new Chair of The Elders

The former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will become The Elders’ third Chair.

Building a culture of inclusivity in a diverse society

Delivering the 6th Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, Hina Jilani stresses the importance of ethical leadership and exhorts world leaders to comply with human rights norms and the rule of law when addressing peace and security issues.

Is sustainable development a luxury we cannot afford?

"The great challenges we all face are very clear: poverty eating away at our social fabric; our dwindling ecosystems; the well-documented threat of climate change... And yet so many of our leaders tend to put these challenges right at the bottom of their

A moral leader: India’s chance to spearhead efforts to end child marriage worldwide

“Indian communities and their leaders are starting to realise how much potential lies in the empowerment of their sisters, mothers, wives and daughters.”
Despite India's rapid economic growth, it remains home to one third of the world's poorest peopl

Our duty to Sri Lanka, and human rights

Writing in The Guardian as the UN Human Rights Council session opens in Geneva, Archbishop Tutu and Mary Robinson say it is not just Sri Lanka's people that the Council must serve this week, but the cause of international law.

Women, religion and change

“This shouldn’t be such a difficult topic for people of faith. It seems entirely consistent with the teachings of the world’s great religions that men and women are equal in the eyes of God.”After a meeting with fellow religious leaders at the Wor

Time to close the gap

"We can no longer ignore this growing distance between rich and poor. It is time to close the gap. It is time to talk about making real changes so that the world becomes a more equitable place."Ahead of his appearance in the opening session of the World E

"Women as the way forward": Davos 2012

WATCH LIVE: Desmond Tutu joins a panel discussion focusing on women's leadership - the first of its kind at the World Economic Forum. Moderated by New York Times columnist Nick Kristof, best known for his book Half The Sky, with panelists including Sheryl

We are stronger together: the transformative power of human connection

Traditions can change: ending child marriage

Time to move on Mideast peace

Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter reflect on the stalled efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East in USA Today.

Ending child marriage helps communities across the developing world

Commenting in The Washington Post, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu describe how empowering girls can be one of the most effective ways to improve the health and prosperity of societies.

Speaking to Aung San Suu Kyi – at long last!

Shortly after her release from house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi spoke over the phone with Desmond Tutu, Chair of The Elders. In this blog, Archbishop Tutu describes their conversation, urging the international community to keep its focus on Burma until all

رسالة إلى زملائي الحكماء من ديزموند توتو

قد يقول البعض أن تحقيق السلام في المنطقة ما زال بعيد المنال. و لكن كما تعلمون يا أصدقائي، أنا حبيس الأمل. ديسموند توتو يكتب رسالة إلى زملائه ا

Desmond Tutu demands release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Desmond Tutu has given his support to Amnesty International’s campaign to free the 2,200 political prisoners in Burma. He calls on everyone who values human rights and justice to do the same.

Archbishop Tutu to retire

Shortly before his 79th birthday, Desmond Tutu announces through the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre that he will be withdrawing from public life in order "to slow down, to sip Rooibos tea with my beloved wife in the afternoons, to watch cricket, to travel to v

It's time to rid the world of nuclear weapons

In this article published The Guardian, Desmond Tutu points out that while sceptics may say that a nuclear-free world is an impossible dream, they said that about slavery and apartheid too.

Sri Lanka one year on from war

Reflecting in The Guardian on the one-year anniversary of the end of the Sri Lankan conflict, Desmond Tutu and Lakhdar Brahimi caution that genuine peace is more than simply the absence of fighting.

Arizona: The wrong answer

Writing in The Huffington Post, Desmond Tutu expresses his alarm at Arizona's new immigration law and argues that legitimising racial profiling in this manner is tantamount to stripping people of their rights and dignity.

In Africa, a step backward on human rights

Commenting in The Washington Post, Desmond Tutu expresses his concern about the discrimination and "wave of hate" in Africa directed at gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

The Elders speak: Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson

Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson answer questions from The Huffington Post's Marianne Schnall.

Archbishop Tutu’s statement on Haiti

Desmond Tutu issues a statement following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, calling on governments and individuals around the world to lend support to the country's people in the months and years ahead.

Sudan between peril and hope

In this article for The Huffington Post, Desmond Tutu and Lakhdar Brahimi write of the threat that failed states pose to international security and call on the international community to support Sudan in its move towards peace and democracy.

Interview: Desmond Tutu on Cyprus

While in Cyprus, Desmond Tutu spoke to Christiana Voniati from POLITIS newspaper. During the interview, he tells her about his reasons for visiting Cyprus, the importance of dealing with the past when resolving conflicts, and what, if any, place there is

Aung San Suu Kyi - Burma's Nelson Mandela

Commenting on Oprah.com, Desmond Tutu shares his reaction to President Barack Obama's recent push to bring Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi into the global agenda.

"I have confidence in the wisdom and judgement of the people of Cyprus to shape their own future."

Discussion with the Elders on building trust

As part of their visit to Cyprus in December 2009 Desmond Tutu, Lakhdar Brahimi and Jimmy Carter took part in a discussion on building trust in conflict-affected communities.

A legacy for our children?

Writing in the South China Morning Post and the New Straits Times, Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson warn that the world can’t afford any more political procrastination on climate change.

Delighted to be back

Ahead of his return to Cyprus, Desmond Tutu blogs about achieving peace and reconciliation through honest dialogue.

Response to an open letter from Robert Rozett

During The Elders' trip to the Middle East, Desmond Tutu was interviewed for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Following the publication of the interview Robert Rozett - who had acted as The Elders' guide during their visit to Yad Vashem - wrote an open lett

Supporting a solution in Cyprus

Shortly before returning to Cyprus with his fellow Elders Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland, Desmond Tutu argues in Havadis that both sides must take advantage of the opportunity for peace and unity before it is lost.

An open letter to Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Following the publication of an interview with Desmond Tutu in Haaretz, Dr Robert Rozett - who had guided the Elders during their visit to Yad Vashem - wrote an open letter to Archbishop Tutu. Published in Haaretz, Dr Rozett expressed his disagreement wit

Archbishop Tutu to Haaretz: Arabs paying for Germany's crimes

In an interview with Akiva Eldar from Haaretz, Desmond Tutu argues that Israel must learn that security cannot be gained through fences, walls and guns.

رسالة دزموند توتو إلى النشيطين: الله تعالى يسلط الحق

شارك ديزموند توتو كلماته بتشجيع ودعم المحاربين في سبيل ما يؤمنون بأنه الصواب.

Group of former statesmen visit Israeli checkpoint

A group of prominent former statesmen and business leaders visited an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday as part of a regional listening tour.

التعلم من الماضي والاستماع إلى المستقبل

Elders Statements

The Elders: Aung San Suu Kyi verdict is a gross travesty of justice

As Aung San Suu Kyi is sentenced to a further 18 months under house arrest, The Elders condemn the verdict and urge the international community not to accept the results of this "illegal process."

Religious and traditional practices discriminate against women and girls

The Elders call on men and boys, particularly religious and traditional leaders, to change harmful and discriminatory practices against women and girls and join the struggle to promote and protect gender equality.  

My message to men

Desmond Tutu calls on men and boys to value the women in their community and to treat them with respect.

The Elders call for more aid to help stabilise Zimbabwe

The Elders urge international donors to respond more swiftly, generously and creatively to Zimbabwe’s humanitarian crisis.

Elders meet Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, October 2008

Three members of The Elders visited Cyprus to lend their support to the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, and to commend Mr Demetris Christofias and Mr Mehmet Ali Talat for their efforts to reunify the island. The Elders urge t

Rights demand strong institutions

Reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson argue in The Guardian that ideals must be supported by effective institutions.

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Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon & Ernesto Zedillo enjoyed a good meeting with @antonioguterres at @UN. They discussed global security issues inc. Ukraine and Israel/Palestine, how to strengthen multilateralism amid geopolitical tensions, & plans for the upcoming Summit of the Future. pic.twitter.com/lY1HWKn8Ku
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