Mission:  The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University is, by definition, in both its membership and goals, a diverse representation of the beliefs, history and aspirations of the international community. Fletcher Perspectives celebrates this diversity through art, craft and photography exhibits as well as through this annual written publication on culture, gender and religion. Our goal is to share our diversity in a manner that not only enhances our understanding of historical and cultural differences and similarities, but also translates this knowledge into a more peaceful and tolerant world. We believe this creative outlet can also balance the intellectual gymnastics of our work and/or studies with creativity and celebration -- essential components for imaginative and tolerant leaders in all fields relating to the global community.

We accept submissions from the entire Fletcher community (students, faculty, staff and fellows) in the form of poetry, short-stories, travelogues, inspirational quotes, Op-Eds, recipes, descriptions of religious or cultural traditions, photography, arts and crafts. A sampling of our exhibits is available on-line at www.fletcher.tufts.edu/perspectives. Consistent with our goals as members of the Fletcher Community, all profits will be donated to charity. This year we have chosen to support rehabilitation efforts for the Sudanese and Ugandan Child Soldiers.

This first edition would not have been possible without the support and assistance of the following, to whom we are deeply grateful: Coordinator of Student Affairs Cindy Matheson, the Student Council Allocation Board, Website Designer Liz Hincks, Executive Associate Dean Gerard F. Sheehan, Director of Administration and Finance Jay Herlihy, Budget and Fiscal Coordinator Fran Parisi and the staff at Ginn Library at Fletcher. In addition, this endeavor was realized through the co-sponsorship of fellow student organizations: the Ph.D. Group and the International Negotiations and Conflict Resolution Group.

Many thanks and enjoy!

Itamara Vanessa Lochard
Editor-in-Chief

Petra Beunderman
Assistant Editor

All opinions presented on the web-site and journal are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, administration or faculty at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. No part of Fletcher Perspectives nor Fletcher Perspectives Gallery on-line may be reproduced without written consent of The Fletcher School. For more information please contact: Itamara V. Lochard, Fletcher Perspectives, Box #231, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, 160 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA 02155.