It was a historic evening in Hartford Friday as Archbishop Desmond Tutu took the stage at the X-L center for his last public lecture in the United States. His speech also officially kicked off the World Youth Peace Summit that will be held this summer in the capitol city.
"I doff my cap to you young people. You all are truly fantastic," he opened.
His lecture was called "Humanity and Harmony." NBC Connecticut's own Keisha Grant emceed the affair.
The Nobel Peace prize recipient and human rights activist says he's also a self-proclaimed "prisoner of hope." His message was a simple on for the kids in the audience: continue fighting for peace, like those before you have done.
"It was young people who were involved in demonstrations. You know what they did? They managed to force this country out of the Vietnam War," said Father Tutu.
It was a message that had a profound effect on a group of young men who were waving the South African flag.
"I liked what he said about how it's our job to make sure everything works well and how it's up to us to save the world," said Jonah Lazowski, of Hartford.
Father Tutu spoke to a crowd of thousands that included Governor Dannel P. Malloy. He urged everyone to dream big and believe in peace.
"I've met young kids, your children, working in remote villages, no fanfare, helping to build clinics, helping to build schools, teaching in those places. Why can't we get more of those stories?" said the Archbishop.
His point was taken seriously, but his delivery certainly warmed many hearts and left the crowd smiling.
And even though it was his last public lecture, it was not his last public appearance. Archbishop Tutu will be in West Hartford Saturday morning to deliver a blessing at the Connecticut Peace Walk.
Both events benefit the World Youth Peace Summit. The summit will bring more than 2,500 kids from all over the world to Hartford in an effort to promote peace.
