In honor of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s work to spread peace, justice and democracy around the globe, Holland America Line has made a $100,000 donation to the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation (DTPF). The donation follows Tutu’s appearance as a special guest lecturer on a segment of ms Amsterdam’s Grand World Voyage.
The DTPF celebrates young people 17-22 who are changing the world as the next generation of peace makers in the U.S. The goal of the foundation is to teach one million young people the power of peace within, peace between, and peace among all people. Their mission is guided by the concept of Ubuntu; that we are all connected to each other and that what affects one of us affects us all.
“We are truly honored that one of the world’s foremost human rights activists and spiritual leaders recently spent time onboard with our Grand World Voyage guests,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. “We are proud to be supporting the important mission of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation to create a society that nurtures tolerance and understanding among all people.”
Tutu, the former archbishop of Cape Town, sailed on the Grand World Voyage March 28 to April 1, 2014, from Durban to Cape Town, South Africa.
During the segment, two very special conversations were held for guests onboard, moderated by Robert V. Taylor, president and chair of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation, based in New York. Archbishop Tutu spoke about his role as the first black African to serve as archbishop of Cape Town and about his work forging racial equality throughout the world. Beginning with his public stance against apartheid in South Africa, he has worked tirelessly to spread peace, justice and democracy around the globe. A question-and-answer session enabled guests to gain more insight into his remarkable life.
The Archbishop also lead a Holy Eucharist on March 30, and was joined for the service by the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir who was also onboard as part of the line’s “On Location” program. This event was an exclusive and meaningful experience for guests onboard, bringing historical perspective and cultural enrichment to their time visiting the region.
About the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation
Archbishop Tutu founded the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation in New York, a nonprofit organization that is guided by the virtues that Archbishop Tutu identified as essential human values and the building blocks for sustainable peace: love, hope, tolerance and courage.
One of the principal ways the DTPF is undertaking their mission is through their premier program, Peace3. DTPF partners with organizations and influencers to provide curriculum, grants, and scholarships to young people committed to peace within, peace between, and peace around them. The work and wisdom of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, is the foundation for learning, along with innovative methods for “living peace.” For more information, visit www.tutufoundationusa.org.
About Holland America Line Giving
As part of its corporate giving and community outreach, Holland America Line has developed programs to support a variety of organizations with cash and in-kind donations, services and employee volunteerism. Around the world, the cruise line’s employees can be found engaged in helping others. Whether giving cash sponsorships to non-profits, donating cruises for fundraising efforts, providing disaster relief, sharing reusable shipboard goods with communities in need or raising money for six international cancer organizations through the On Deck for a Cause walk held on their 500 sailings annually, the line is committed to making a difference. Holland America Line just received the 2014 Global Giving award from the Puget Sound Business Journal in its annual Corporate Citizenship Awards program.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Editor’s note: Photograph available at https://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/WReQ-gTD-6qB