Bloemfontein - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will receive an honorary degree from the University of the Free State when he opens its International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice on January 27.
"We honour a great son of South Africa who has made a huge contribution to peace, reconciliation and justice in South Africa and in the world," Rector Jonathan Jansen said on Monday.
By honouring Tutu the UFS recognised the contribution he made to theology through his teachings and books.
He was a moral and religious leader who had maintained his integrity as a Christian, Jansen said.
Reitz incident
The idea to establish the institute followed the Reitz racial incident on the Bloemfontein campus in 2008.
"Students and scholars from across the world will come to the UFS to study the theory and practice about the building of societies across the boundaries of race, as well as religion, gender, disabilities and national origin."
In his 2009 inauguration speech Jansen said the university would be a place where reconciliation, forgiveness and social justice would be studied and applied in practice.
The institute's interim director John Samuel said it would seek to establish itself as a premier international site for research on race, reconciliation and social justice.
"We want to link the manifestations of race in higher education to... reconciliation and social justice in the South African context, against the backdrop of racial and ethnic conflicts elsewhere in the world."
The institute would, amongst others, publish research, organise national and international conferences and contribute to the establishment of networks actively involved in matters relating to race, reconciliation and social justice.
The unveiling of the university's new corporate brand would also take place on the day.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Tutu-to-get-honorary-UFS-degree-20110117
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