Show notes
Three panelists bring unique points of view to a
discussion of 21st century Africa. The President of Liberia,
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is the first woman to serve as the elected
leader of an African nation. The Harvard-trained economist
survived death threats, exile and imprisonment in her 25-year
struggle to bring peace and democracy to her country. Since her
election in 2005, President Johnson Sirleaf has moved decisively
to repair the damage done by decades of dictatorship and civil
conflict. Her courage and tenacity have won her the nickname, the
Iron Lady of Africa. Desmond Tutu received the 1984 Nobel Peace
Prize for his contribution to the cause of racial equality in
South Africa. As the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, his
spiritual authority dealt a death blow to the system of white
supremacy. As Chairman of the post-apartheid Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, he enabled his country to bind up its
wounds, and choose forgiveness over revenge. One of the world's
most beloved religious leaders, he continues to raise his voice
for peace and justice all over the world. Author and journalist
Nicholas Kristof has covered African affairs for over 20 years.
He has reported on civil wars in Ghana and Congo and focused the
world's attention on the continent's epidemics of AIDS and
malaria. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished
Commentary in 2006 for his columns exposing the ongoing genocide
in the Darfur region of Sudan. The discussion, recorded at the
2008 International Achievement Summit in Hawaii, is led by David
Gergen, Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's
John F. Kennedy School of Government.



