President of the International Center for Transitional Justice, newly established visionary human rights organisation based in New York City. Dedicated to strengthening the field of transitional justice (2001– ). Focussing on strategies to document abuse, establish effective truth commissions, prosecute perpetrators, reform abusive institutions, provide reparation to victims of violence, and promote reconciliation. Visiting Professor, New York School of Law; Global Law School Programme; Project on Transitional Justice (1998– ).Deputy Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, appointed by President Nelson Mandela (1995–2002). Executive Director of the Institute for Justice in Transition (1984–1995). Member of Parliament for Progressive Party in South Africa; member for the Pinelands Constituency in Cape Town (1974–1986). Elected President of Methodist Church in South Africa (1970). Appointed General Secretary of Department of Education and Youth Ministry of the Methodist Church of South Africa (1966).

Publications include: Co-editor of Dealing with the past (1999), Co-editor of The Healing of a Nation? A country unmasked: The Story of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2000), Author of a chapter entitled “Truth and reconciliation in South Africa: the Third Way” in Truth vs Justice, edited by Robert I Rotberg and Dennis Thompson (2000).