Click here to listen to Episode 4 of Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror
How can Western non-profits engage in true partnership with international organizations to achieve social change? What themes in activism and relationships are emerging amongst young people? What vital role can Psychology Beyond Borders play in global human rights work?
In Episode 4 of “Beyond Fear,” Naomi Tutu, international peace and human rights activist, addresses these questions and speaks about her experiences with international psychology, the role of partnership in international aid work, and the crucial importance of Psychology Beyond Borders in today’s world.
Naomi also shares stories from her life, including the moment she stepped into her own voice as an advocate for human rights, and what projects are the current focus of her passionate work.
The challenges of growing black and female in apartheid South Africa have led Nontombi Naomi Tutu to her present work as a passionate advocate for peace and human rights. She has an extensive background addressing the human rights of women and the global problem of intimate violence.
Ms. Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. She was born in South Africa and has also lived in Lesotho, the United Kingdom and the United States. She was educated in Swaziland, the US and England, and has divided her adult life between South Africa and the US.
Naomi’s father, the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, has been an active member of the clergy since he was ordained in Johannesburg in 1961. He served as the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches from 1978 to 1985, during which he led great efforts in opposing apartheid and striving for racial reconciliation. For this work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. In 1996, he was appointed as Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa by President Nelson Mandela. Since fulfilling these duties, he continues to be involved in social justice efforts, sharing his wisdom and experience through activism in academic institutions, governmental groups, and humanitarian organizations.
Growing up the ‘daughter of…’ Reverend Tutu has offered Naomi Tutu many opportunities and challenges in her life. Most important of these has been the challenge to find her own place in the world. She has taken up the challenge and channeled the opportunities that she has been given to raise her voice as a champion for the dignity of all.
Naomi Tutu’s professional experience ranges from being a development consultant in West Africa, to being program coordinator for programs on Race and Gender and Gender-based Violence in Education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. In addition, she has taught at the Universities of Hartford and Connecticut and Brevard College in North Carolina.
She has also led Truth and Reconciliation Workshops for groups dealing with different types of conflict. Together with Rose Bator, she presents a workshop titled Building Bridges dealing with issues of race and racism. The two also lead women’s retreats through their organization Sister Sojourner. They are also writing a book provisionally titled I Don’t Think of You as Black: Honest Conversations on Race and Racism.
Naomi holds an MA in International Economic Development from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Economic Development at the University of Kentucky. She received an honorary doctorate from Bentley College in Waltham, MA, in 2007. In addition, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Universal Orthodox College of Ogun State, Nigeria in 1985.
In addition to speaking, Naomi Tutu is a consultant to two organizations that reflect the breadth of her involvement in issues of human rights. The organizations are the Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence (SAIV), founded by renowned author Riane Eisler and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams, and the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA).
Ms. Tutu is a single mother of three children and currently lives in Nashville, TN.
Click here to subscribe to the Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror podcast in iTunes.
Produced by Psychology Beyond Borders
Edited by Emotion Technology
Hosted by Jennifer Gandin Le
How can I contact Naomi Tutu? I saw her speak and would like to talk to her about some things.
Hi, my name is Candace Hawkins and I am with the Student Activities Program at Colorado State University in Pueblo and for our show brochure we have to provide a quote from you. I am unable to find one so if you can please email a quote that you have for the brochure. Thanks and much love.