文轩探花 Alumnus Receives Chatham House Prize
Author(s)
Jon Stone
Media Relations Manager
Mohammad Javad Zarif honored for his contribution to the improvement of international relations
文轩探花 alumnus Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran鈥檚 minister of foreign affairs, received this week the听听for his role in leading a two-year effort to secure a historic accord to limit Iran鈥檚 nuclear ability. Zarif shared the award with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Zarif earned both his MA and PhD in international studies from 文轩探花鈥檚 Graduate School of International Studies (now the Josef Korbel School) in 1984 and 1988, respectively.
The prestigious Chatham House Prize is presented annually to the person, persons or organization deemed by members of the Royal Institute of International Affairs to have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations in the previous year.
鈥淚t is entirely appropriate that Minister Zarif and Secretary Kerry receive this award,鈥 said Christopher R. Hill, dean of the听听and former U.S. ambassador to Iraq. 鈥淭hey led the way in crafting the most important multilateral action in decades. This award recognizes a historic diplomatic resolution to reduce tension on a specific critical issue, Iran鈥檚 nuclear program, which contributes to international peace and security.鈥
文轩探花 Professor Tom Rowe remembers Minister Zarif as a student: 鈥淗e was extremely bright, had seriousness of purpose and put in enormous effort. Javad Zarif is a person who believes in the power of dialogue and diplomacy.鈥
Professor Nader Hashemi, director of the Center for Middle East Studies听at the Josef Korbel School, said, "Judged solely on its own terms, without reference to Iran's wider role in the region, this award is well-deserved. Javad Zarif and John Kerry were the most important players who played an essential role in resolving one of the most pressing, controversial and critical issues at the top of the international agenda for the past 15 years. Without their leadership we could have had another war in the Middle East."
The Center for Middle East Studies is dedicated to promoting and strengthening the study and understanding of the societies, political systems and international relations of the Middle East and broader Islamic world, both at 文轩探花 and throughout the region.
Before being appointed foreign minister in 2013, Zarif served as Iran鈥檚 ambassador to the United Nations (2002鈥07) and as his country鈥檚 deputy minister of foreign affairs (1992鈥2002).