Bobst Center

Michael Young, business executive and mediator who brokered the secret talks that led to the end of apartheid in South Africa, will present a public talk titled, "Conflict Resolution: The Role of Business in Dismantling Apartheid" at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 14, in Bowl 016, Robertson Hall.

In the 1980s, Michael Young was head of communications for Consolidated Gold Fields, a British mining company with significant assets in South Africa. At the request of African National Congress (ANC) President Oliver Tambo, Young initiated a series of covert negotiations between representatives of the exiled ANC and powerful Afrikaner elite between 1986 and 1990, which led to the end of the apartheid system and the release of Nelson Mandela.

Early in his career, Young served at the Conservative Research Department as an advisor to British Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home where he dealt with matters relating to Africa, Cyprus and the Middle East.  He later served as an economic advisor to Prime Minister Edward Heath and was involved in early negotiations between the British government and Irish republicans. 

Young is a specialist in conflict resolution and strategic evaluation. He is currently Chairman of Michael Young Associates, Ltd., which focuses on management counseling, conflict resolution, market positioning and management, regulatory practices, mergers and acquisitions, and bringing new ventures to market.

Young’s story and the final days of apartheid in South Africa is the subject of the 2009 British Film Endgame, based on the book The Fall of Apartheid by Robert Harvey.  A screening of the film will be held prior to this talk at 3 p.m., Friday February 11, in Bowl 001 of Robertson Hall, and 4 p.m. Friday, February 11 at the Princeton Public Library.

Young will also participate in an African Studies lunch discussion on conflict resolution in Africa at 12 noon on Monday February 14 in Bobst Hall, first floor. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Bobst Center for Peace and Justice and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.