century. The Center acts as a major focus for cross-regional and cross-cultural analysis, providing a forum for the articulation of a rich diversity of viewpoints in the belief that this will serve as an effective means of conflict resolution.

On March 13th, after a brief opening statements by Tufts University President, Larry Bacow, and  former Tufts trustee and current Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon who sponsored the event, Isssam M. Fares, former President William Jefferson Clinton cut the ribbon on the new center at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.  He then proceeded to the Ganter Center as this year's guest lecturer of the annual Fares lecture.

Speaking before a crowd of 5,000 Tufts University students, staff, and faculty, Clinton discussed how globalization and foreign aid could be effective at reducing animosity towards the United States.  "We need to develop a global consciousness that deals with difference, not just accepts differences but celebrates them in the context of a larger human community," he said.

Several times throughout the speech, Clinton lauded Tufts' commitment to international citizenship and the Fletcher School's global outlook.  "When the whole world had turned inward -- with America unfortunately leading the way -- Tufts was looking outward," Clinton said, describing the importance of Tufts' decision in 1933 to open the Fletcher School -- the country's oldest graduate school of international relations.