December 8, 2003

Naomi Tutu To Speak As Part Of Boise State's Human Rights Celebration

Naomi Tutu will present a special public lecture as part of Boise State University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr./Human Rights celebration. Tutu will give a talk titled “Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground” at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23, in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom. Tutu is the daughter of South African Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu. Tickets are free and available only at the Student Union Information Desk after Dec. 15. Tickets ensure a seat for the lecture but seating will open for non-ticket holders at 6:45 p.m. Free parking will be available in the Student Union visitor lot and Pavilion/Stadium lot. A free reception to meet the speaker will follow in the Hatch Ballroom. Tutu’s visit will be part of a weeklong focus on human rights, Jan. 19-23. This year’s theme is “Different and the Same: Today, Tomorrow and Forever.” Activities include a march to the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, volunteer projects and daily educational sessions. For more information or a schedule of events, call 426-1223 or visit union.boisestate.edu. After the South African system of apartheid was overthrown, the South African Parliament created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. The commission, chaired by Archbishop Tutu, was formed to investigate crimes committed during the apartheid regime and to bring to justice those responsible. Ms. Tutu believes there is still much to do to eradicate the legacy of three centuries of racial oppression. Naomi Tutu founded and was the chairperson of the Tutu Foundation, which from 1985 until 1990 helped South African refugees in African countries. The Foundation gave refugees scholarships so they could learn skills that would make them self-sufficient while in exile, as well as prepare them for constructive roles in the freed South Africa. Tutu, born in Krugersdorp, South Africa, holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics and French and a master of arts in international economic development. Tutu has served as a consulting associate for Equator Advisory Services Ltd., a private consulting firm in sub-Saharan Africa, and has taught courses on development issues and education. She worked at the University of Cape Town at the African Gender Institute where she was in charge of programs on race and gender and gender-based violence. From 1999-2002 Tutu served as Program Coordinator for the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University. The Institute focuses on the problem of racism in the global community. Recently, Tutu began working as associate director of the newly formed Office of International Programs at Tennessee State University in Nashville. She has received numerous awards and honors from different organizations such as the California State Legislature, the Kentucky State branches of the NAACP, the Boston City Council, Outstanding Youth Women of America, Who’s Who of Africans in America and Dollars and Sense magazine. -30- Contact Rob Meyer Student Union and Activities 208 426-1223 Media Contacts Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275 Angela Jones communications and marketing 208 426-3196