JMU's Nelson Institute Director Earns Mandela Prize

From: Public Affairs

Dec. 10, 2008

HARRISONBURG – Dr. J. Peter Pham, associate professor of justice studies, political science and Africana studies and director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs at James Madison University, is the winner of the 2008 Nelson Mandela International Essay Competition on African Security and Development.

The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in London, together with the Brenthurst Foundation, announced Pham's selection Dec. 4. The two organizations established the prize three years ago with support from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The annual competition is open to practitioners in the field, academics, government officials and armed forces personnel who contribute new perspectives to the debate on African security and development concerns in a field selected by the Mandela Foundation. This year's topic was "What Future for the Democratic Republic of Congo?" The winner receives a cash award as well as election to membership in RUSI.

Pham received this year's Mandela Prize for his paper "Imagining the Congo Secure and Stable," which proposes a hardheaded look at the constant crises which have beset Africa's third largest country. The essay will be published at the end of the month in the "RUSI Journal," the institute's flagship defense and security publication.

"The award is testimony to the high quality of research that Dr. Pham has engaged in since he joined the Justice Studies program in fall 2004," said Dr. Glenn P. Hastedt, director of the Justice Studies program at JMU. "Dr. Pham is one of the founding faculty in our program and this award is an important step in furthering our reputation for excellence in the broader academic community and at JMU."

Founded by the Duke of Wellington in 1831, RUSI aims to work on the cutting edge of defense and security studies. Under the presidency of HRH the Duke of Kent, RUSI's purpose is "to analyze, stimulate debate and identify options for all issues of national and international defense and security."

The Brenthurst Foundation is a Johannesburg, South Africa-based think tank devoted to strengthening Africa's economic performance by creating an environment conducive to positive change.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation leads the development of a living legacy that captures the vision and values of former South African President Nelson Mandela's life and work. Through the creation of strategic networks and partnerships, the foundation "directs resources, knowledge and practice to add value and demonstrate new possibilities" while embodying the spirit of reconciliation and social justice in a celebration of Mandela's life.

# # #