Terry Waite is a highly-respected humanitarian who involved himself in high-profile releases of hostages in Iran and Libya. He is widely known for his work as the Assistant in Anglican Communion Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Provincial Training Adviser to the Archbishop of Uganda. Having also worked as an International Consultant for Medical Mission Sisters and an Education Advisor to the Bishop of Bristol, Terry is widely known for negotiating the release of hostages from the Lybian Hostage Situation. After successfully negotiating the release of several colleagues, including negotiating with the Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddaifi, he became involved in securing hostages in Beirut. Terry's goal was to negotiate with the Islamic Jihad Organisation but on his arrival, he was kidnapped by the IJO despite their promise of his safety.
For the following 1763 days, Terry spent his time in solitary confinement, battling with his mind and testing his faith. Terry's account of his harrowing four-year ordeal at the hands of one of the world's most feared terrorist organisations makes for a truly breathtaking motivational speech, packing in themes of overcoming adversity, mental resilience and survival. As a motivational speaker, Terry shares insights he has gained from thirty years of international service, as well as his unique and terrifying experiences both as a hostage negotiator and a hostage. Awarded the Four Freedoms Award for the Freedom of Worship, Terry is a highly influential figure and has also claimed Honorary Doctorates from Durham University and Anglia Ruskin University. Terry has also published his own books, authoring Taken on Trust, Footfalls in Memory: Reflections from Solitude, Solitude: Memories, People, Places and Travels with a Primate.
Also able to discuss the Middle East, power struggles, religion and life as a hostage, there are few in the world who have experienced what Terry has and returned with humility, compassion and open-mindedness that he so clearly displays. After returning to Beirut in 2004, he spoke to the BBC saying: "If you are bitter, it will eat you up and do more damage to you than to the people who have hurt you." Later in 2012, he would reconcile with his captors, showing his immense strength of character. Since his kidnapping, Terry has been elected as a Fellow Commoner of Trinity Hall Cambridge, become a Patron of the Warrington Male Voice Choir and founded Hostage UK. He is also the co-founder and President of Y Care International, President of Emmaus UK and a Visiting Fellow of Magdalen College Oxford.
Focusing on finding inner strength and dealing with stress, pressure and hardship, Terry is able to mesmerize corporate audiences and leave them able to take action from his remarkable journey. A Patron of Storybook Dads, AbleChildAfrica, the Romany Society, the Strode Park Foundation and Habitat for Humanity, Terry is an avid charity supporter and continues with his passions for humanitarian work. When booked as a speaker for corporate events, Terry covers topics such as human rights, turning misfortune into positive actions, personal faith, overcoming roadblocks and peace. With previous clients including the likes of the NHS, Northern Trust and Progressive Property, Terry Waite is a seasoned speaker who is able to provide inspirational stories of overcoming adversity and his advocacy for humanitarian issues.
