In 1987, while negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage. In captivity for 1,763 days (four years of which were in solitary confinement), he was chained to a wall, often left in darkness, beaten and subjected to mock executions.

Yet Waite returned home harbouring no hostility or resentment towards his captors, no regret or self-pity about his experiences. His ordeal seemed only to deepen his faith in the goodness of humanity and the importance of maintaining the dignity of others.

...He was absolutely the most powerful speaker we have ever had. As one of our guests put it, "I was profoundly moved by Terry Waite's presentation." He very much touched our group with his warmth, his sense of humour and his genuine goodness. St. Joseph Health System

Since his release, Waite has tirelessly devoted his time to humanitarian efforts around the world, inspiring people everywhere to create better lives for the less fortunate. He is the UK President of Emmaus International, a Trustee of the Freeplay Foundation, Founder and President of Y Care International and Patron of the Children’s One to One Foundation.
From offering the homeless a second chance in life to providing simple means of communication and clean water to some of the most remote areas of Africa; from helping street children in India and Columbia gain access to education, vocational training and medical care to offering trauma counselling in Kosovo and the Middle East for children mentally ravaged by the horrors of war, Waite addresses problems at their source, actively working to give hope to those who most need it.

In his lectures, Waite gives audiences a perspective of world affairs founded on open communication, cooperation and a deep understanding of diverse cultures. Through his experiences in times of crisis and his participation in humanitarian causes worldwide, he has achieved a unique role on the world stage: part pragmatist, part visionary and fully dedicated to the pursuit of social justice.

Waite is the author of Taken on Trust and Footfalls in Memory: Reflections from Solitude, both of which recount his experiences in captivity. His most recent book is Travels With a Primate, a humorous account of his journeys with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Waite is also Director of Education Interactive, which publishes educational programming for The Learning Channel and is currently working on a new book about solitude.