Longtime United Nations executive, international development expert, and educator Jafar Javan joins the Colin Powell School as a Leader-in-Residence. In this role, Javan will mentor and advise students enrolled in the master’s degree program in international relations, and teach a course on “Leadership in Global Justice.” Javan will also work closely with Colin Powell School leadership on the Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change, which he conceived and helped to launch during his tenure as director of the United Nations Systems Staff College.
During his more than three-decade career in the United Nations system, Javan specialized in policy formulation for community development, empowerment and social participation, training, and education, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and recovery.
He retired earlier this year as director of UNSSC, where he was previously deputy director and head of programs. He also served as director of policy support and program development for the Bratislava, Slovakia-based United Nations Development Programme’s Regional Development Centre for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
“I am looking forward to being a member of the Colin Powell School community, and to contributing to building a cadre of young leaders who are committed to change through social and political engagement and activism,” said Javan.
Education
• PhD in Psychology, North Carolina State University
• MA in International Communication, School of International Service, American University
• BA in International Relations, School of International Service, American University
Courses
Leadership in Global Justice
