Short impression of the launch of the Desmond Tutu Programme

The VU-aula was filled to capacity when Tutu, accompanied by some 100 Professors in academic robes, walked in to take his place on the platform together with National Research Foundation representative Dr Romilla Maharaj. After an introduction by Rector Prof. Lex Bouter, Dr. Maharaj held a speech in which she stressed the value of academic cooperation between VU University Amsterdam and South African universities, and especially the importance of good PhD supervision.
After this, the four Chair holders were introduced by means of a short film, and called to the stage to receive a glass symbol of their new Chair.
The next speaker, Secretary Bert Koenders, emphasized that initiatives like the DTP can have a catalyzing effect in stimulating the exchange of students. After a musical intermezzo by famous Dutch singer Herman van Veen and guitarist Edith Leerkes, one of the DTP projects, the VUmc TB Meningitis project KIDS headed by Dr Marceline van Furth, was presented by means of a video.
Amsterdam city councillor Carolien Gehrels said she was inspired by Desmond Tutu's continuous fight against poverty and inequality. She stated that sports can be a good way to overcome inequalities. 

 Desmond Tutu declared that humanity had made a big mess of this earth, and that things like the financial crisis and the climate change were caused by human greed. 'We are all family. Would you deprive your sister of fresh drinking water?' Tutu expressed his gratefulness for the four chairs that had been installed in his name ('One chair was not enough; two-two!'). He encouraged young people not to become cynical.
'Dream, young people, dream and put a smile on God's face!'