John Prendergast
M.A., SIS, 1990 (International Development)
 John Prendergast is a Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group. Prendergast has focused most of his 20-year career on conflict resolution in Africa and shaping U.S. foreign policy toward the continent.
Two SIS faculty members shaped John's experience at the school -- Dr. Cheru and Dr. Hirschmann. "Fantu Cheru and David Hirschmann were indispensable to my career development," Prendergast stated. "Both were guiding lights in terms of career advice, academic challenge, and real world experience. They had an enormous amount of influence on the direction of my studies and of my career."
From 1985-1996, John worked for a variety of NGOs and think tanks in Africa and in the United States. In late 1996, he joined the White House and State Department during the Clinton administration until 2001.
John has authored or co-authored seven books on Africa and is currently co-authoring a book with actor Don Cheadle about citizen action to end mass atrocities. Prendergast has written several commentaries for major newspapers, including the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
John has appeared on the national media magazines 60 Minutes and Nightline and has a regular presence on CNN and the BBC.
John credits the irreplaceable strategic development and guidance received at SIS as key factors that focused his career path in policy advocacy. "Political and economic development challenges are at the root of so many of the world’s problems," Prendergast said. "We have to understand the issues if we are going to advocate for meaningful change." |
