Tutu Foundation UK invites you to a Choral Evensong with Thanksgiving for the life and work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu at Westminster Abbey on 9th June

The Tutu Foundation UK are proud and delighted to celebrate the life of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in the service of evensong in Westminster Abbey on 9th June at 5 PM. This is a public service for all who want to give thanks for this remarkable person.

If you would like to attend the event please arrive at the abbey promptly where you will be directed to public seating. The address for Westminster Abbey is: Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA.

The Tutu Foundation UK is amongst Desmond Tutu's great legacy's. The organisation works to prevent and resolve conflict, to help people build peaceful communities across the UK by providing facilitation and mediation services, based on the principles of Ubuntu.

Why the Tutu Foundation UK exists 

The UK stood against apartheid and provided refuge for those opposed to legislated discrimination. It nurtured and taught South Africa’s leaders, particularly at Kings Collage London, where Colin Slee was Chaplain. The United Kingdom has given much to Africa, as well as destroying much. 

Desmond Tutu described the concept of Ubuntu as southern Africa’s gift to the world. The creation of the Tutu Foundation UK established an organization in the UK that celebrates this legacy of generosity and support. 

“May I say a big thank you to you & your colleagues in the Foundation” - Desmond Tutu 

Tutu Foundation UK - Working for Peace 

TFUK works to bring peace within fractured communities in the UK, building on Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s global reconciliation efforts. We promote inclusion and social cohesion through effective and meaningful engagement. 

We support leaders & organisations to serve their communities by promoting cultural competence, good governance, social responsibility, and accountability. 

We employ the reparatory justice model to develop routes to address marginalisation, social exclusion, historic wrongs, and injustice. - Clive Conway, Chairman of The Tutu Foundation UK 

Tutu Foundation UK Projects 

The Annual Archbishop Desmond Tutu Foundation UK Peace Lecture 

The Tutu Foundation UK are proud to curate a series of thought leadership events exploring Peace & Reconciliation and the legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 

This year the Tutu Foundation UK Peace Lecture was given by The Rt Hon Sir John Major Kg Ch, with an introduction by The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC. We are so grateful for the generous hospitality of Marlborough House and the kind support of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. 

The Ubuntu Round Tables 

Disenfranchised young people are brought together with local Police Officers in facilitated frank speaking and respectful listening. The Youth-Led philosophy of Youth Futures & TFUK works to build respect and trust, and to underpin safety on our streets. 

We provide formal apprenticeships and informal training in facilitation and leadership skills and our young leaders have been involved in policy work. TFUK seeks to provide essential further training of new young facilitators who can continue to build trust in the community. 

The Belfast Project 

The Good Friday Agreement saved lives and brought increased safety. However, Belfast is one of the most ‘fractured communities in the UK’. TFUK brought together important figures in disparate, opposing loyalist para-military groups, to put aside differences for progress to be made. Our work explored the challenges faced by young people in the community to improve their lives. 

The Mediation Training Project 

Addressing conflict situations in key professions within Medical & Social care. We provide accredited psychologically informed mediation training based on the Ubuntu philosophy, in collaboration with Regent’s University. This results in deeper mediation and transformational experience. Our mediators proceed to cascade the training within their organisations. 

The Westway Trust Review 

TFUK developed a thorough review underpinned by the Macpherson definition of Institutional Racism, to address mistrust of the Westway Trust leadership, following public allegations of institutional racism at their Annual General Meetings. We developed and sustained a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to build trust and a Secure Portal for the Public Call for Evidence. 

The Westway Trust Trustees now include diversity and community representation. Formal acknowledgement and apologies were received from The Westway Trust and the Leader of Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council (RBKC).