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.
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