Symposium Honoring the Legacy of I. William Zartman

Please join the SAIS Community for Symposium in honor of Prof. I. William Zartman, whose scholarship, leadership and mentorship have left an enduring mark on the fields of Conflict Management and African Studies.
Through a series of panels and discussions, we will bring together distinguished scholars and practitioners who knew him, worked with him, and were shaped by his intellectual legacy. The event aims to not only honor his memory but also to explore the ongoing relevance of his scholarship in understanding and addressing contemporary global challenges.
Please RSVP by Friday, November 7, 2025.

SAIS alumni, please use this link to register

For additional information, please contact Isabelle Talpain-Long at [email protected].

EVENT SCHEDULE:

1:00 – 1:05 PM Welcome Remarks by Dean Jim Steinberg

1:05 – 1:10 PM Opening Remarks by Vice Dean Peter Lewis

1:15 – 1:35 PM Keynote Address by Ambassador (ret.) Chester A. Crocker, '65, PhD'70

1:35 – 2:05 PM Panel 1: The Zartman Legacy in Conflict Management
This panel will delve into I. William Zartman's foundational contributions to the study of international negotiation and conflict management. Panelists will discuss key concepts he developed, such as "ripeness," "hurting stalemate," and "formula-detail," and assess their application in historical and current conflicts.

2:05 – 2:20 PM Coffee & Networking Break

2:20 – 2:50 PM Panel 2: Zartman's Scholarship on Africa
This session will focus on Zartman's extensive and influential work on African politics and statecraft. The discussion will cover his analyses of state collapse and regeneration, governance, and conflict dynamics across the continent, highlighting the enduring impact of his scholarship on the field of African Studies.

2:55 – 3:25 PM Panel 3: From Theory to Practice: Former PhD Students in the Field
This panel will feature a group of Zartman's former doctoral students who have gone on to apply his teachings in practical, real-world settings. They will share insights on how his mentorship and theoretical frameworks have informed their careers in diplomacy, international organizations, and non-governmental work.

3:30 – 4:00 PM Panel 4: Reflections and Remembrances from Former Students
Former students from various stages of Professor Zartman's career will share personal reflections on his role as a teacher, mentor, and colleague. This session will offer a more personal look at the man behind the scholarship and his impact on generations of students.

4:00 – 4:15 PM Concluding Remarks

4:15 – 6:00 PM Reception

If you are unable join in-person, please e-mail [email protected] to receive a link to the livestream.

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