The Desmond Tutu Peace Forest

In memory of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of humanity’s great peacemakers, the Tutu Teach Foundation is collaborating with ORGIIS Ghana and Hope Initiatives International to create a Desmond Tutu Peace Forest on Africa’s Great Green Wall. The Forest is a protest against the war in Ukraine and equally horrific but ignored and forgotten conflicts such as Yemen, Syria, Palestine, and the hostilities in Brazil against the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Rain Forest. It is also a reminder that we must come to our senses and end the war we are waging against the Earth.

The war in Ukraine is unjustified and unjustifiable. The wanton destruction of human life, homes, hospitals, schools and resources is unconscionable. It is also a criminal distraction from the primary war that all humanity should be fighting at this time – human-induced climate breakdown and inequality!

Four days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations issued its most urgent warnings to date. Its IPCC Report starkly warned us that humanity is not only missing the targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement but will exceed the 1.5C target in less than a decade, with catastrophic consequences.

Each tree, therefore, on the Desmond Tutu Peace Forest, planted by ORGIIS Ghana, will be a statement of hope for a better world, in memory of the man who described himself as a ‘Prisoner of Hope’. Each tree will support communities on the frontline of climate change in Africa. And will also support the empowerment of women and the work of justice and peace, so crucial to Desmond Tutu.

Thank you for your generosity!