Prendergast emphasizes responsibilities to Africa

Because his name does not bear the same household appeal as previous recipients Kofi Annan, Bill Gates and Colin Powell, Prendergast said that when he heard the committee’s decision, he immediately thought that he didn’t fit in with past recipients.

Prendergast is a social activist, author and founder of the ENOUGH Project, which works to establish peace in war-torn Darfur.

“I’m trying my darndest to make the world a better place,” he said, adding that he thought of 10 possible reasons why he was given this award. His hypotheses ranged from an April Fool’s Day joke to a revenge tactic on behalf of the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) after he threw his support to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)’s campaign.

Prendergast finally ventured that he was chosen based on his beliefs: hope, solutions and activism. “Maybe you chose me because we’re all on this journey together,” he said.

Prendergast emphasized the importance of hope for Africa’s future.

“Africa is not a continent of despair or hopelessness ... [but a continent in which] the capacity for transformation seems to have no limit,” he said, adding that sometimes it is hard to see past the media and Hollywood’s representations of Africa as a “huge chasm of despair.”

In films like “Blood Diamond” and “Lord of War,” African nations are depicted at their worst moments, he explained, “as hell on Earth.” These films, however, neglect to put a postscript at the end to say that the nations are now at peace, he added. He gave several examples of recent progress in African nations, including Liberia’s election of a female president in 2005.

Prendergast explained that he believes many people don’t involve themselves in issues that are viewed as completely hopeless. He added, however, that “the more hopeful a scenario you ... can paint, the more people will be inspired to become involved.”

He detailed a five-point “life-long menu” of options on how students can get involved, noting that it takes only “15 minutes per week to be involved.” His menu included calling the White House and contacting local media.

“Call directly to the ABC or CBS affiliates,” he said. “If you’re feeling frisky, call Fox.”

Prendergast cited a recent student-led campaign to convince billionaire Warren Buffett to sell hundreds of millions of dollars of stocks that he held in Chinese companies that were facilitating the conflict in Darfur as one way to get involved, adding that he encourages such “divestment efforts.”

Prendergast also told the story of a part-time poker player who wanted to improve the situation in Darfur.

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“Rocked” by pictures from Darfur, this man “looked at his own life and asked what he could do” and decided to organize a poker tournament for the cause. His tournament ended up attracting celebrities like Matt Damon, George Clooney and Adam Sandler and raised $1 million in two hours.

Prendergast emphasized student responsibility to spread the word and make a difference in the world.

“You, as one of the enlightened ones, ... have a responsibility to get others involved,” he said. “Reach out to your circles of influence.”

“He did an excellent job,” said Mary McCarthy ’08, who attended the lecture. “He spoke clearly and eloquently and raised even more awareness [of conflicts in Africa] on campus.”

Prendergast is also a senior adviser to the International Crisis Group and served in the White House and State Department under the Clinton administration. His most recent book, “Not on Our Watch,” was co-authored with actor Don Cheadle.