Rev. Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak to give public lecture on June 17
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Rev. Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak
A public lecture by Rev. Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak -- a noted international theologian and humanitarian -- will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Orvis Auditorium. The topic of his talk will be "Justice, Reconciliation and the Politics of Hope in South Africa's Rainbow Nation."
The Mānoa Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series and the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation are co-sponsoring the visit to the UH Mānoa campus.
Born in 1946, in Kakamas, Northern Cape, South Africa, Boesak is a prolific author and tireless advocate for social justice. Since gaining international acclaim for his doctoral dissertation, “Farewell to Innocence,” nearly four decades ago, he has emerged as one of the world’s preeminent authorities on liberation theology. Boesak earned his doctorate in theology from the Protestant Theological University in Kampen, the Netherlands.
His early activism and service led to international recognition as an influential leader in the fight against apartheid. During the 1980s, he worked alongside Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela to lead efforts against apartheid and promote reconciliation.
Boesak has held leadership positions among organizations such as the Christian Institute of Southern Africa, Association of Christian Students in South Africa, Alliance of Black Reformed Christians in Southern Africa, World Council of Churches, World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the United Nations.
He taught and lectured at several theological institutions, colleges and universities throughout North America, Asia and Europe. His life work has resulted in multiple honorary doctoral degrees, numerous honors and awards, and many publications.
In June 2013, Christian Theological Seminary and Butler University named Boesak the Desmond Tutu Chair of Peace, Global Justice and Reconciliation Studies.