The procession on its way to Assembly Hall

Wearing their academic robes, about 40 faculty members entered Assembly Hall in a processional, while students, staff and other faculty members filled up the pews of the hall to capacity. Among the dignitaries that were present were Ministers Tarek Mitri and Mohammed Khalifeh, former minister Adel Hamieh, MPs Yassin Jaber, Anwar Khalil, Hagop Pakradouni, all of whom are AUB alumni.

Moreover, AUB trustees Kamal Al-Shair, Ali Ghandour and Farouk Jabre also attended the formal ceremony.

President John Waterbury introduced this year's theme by noting Lebanon's long tradition of democracy, and how AUB could play a role in fostering it. "Lebanon is not a new democracy, contrary to what some Western news sources seem to think," he said. "It has occasionally malfunctioned, and, during the civil war, partially collapsed, but it is part of the fabric of Lebanese politics and society."

L to R: Trustee Jabre and Mrs Jabre; Trustee Ghandour, Minister Khalifeh and Minister Mitri

"If that is not the case, then the supreme sacrifice of Rafic Hariri will have been wasted," he said.

Student Michelle Kasdano, a junior majoring in English literature, read her winning student essay, which attempted to answer the question: How could AUB help spread democracy within our Lebanese and Arab societies?

And as President Waterbury noted, "This is not an easy nor an obvious question since AUB, as an institution, must remain neutral in the political life of Lebanon and of the region."

Kasdano described the democracy-promoting traditions which AUB currently follows and listed others which she hoped the University would adopt in the future. She highlighted the importance of student elections and the University's "distribution of power between administration and faculty members." Moreover, she said that the University initiated students into one of the building blocks of democracy--participation--through the various clubs and voluntary organizations and student publications that are present on campus.

Student Michelle Kasdano reads her prize-winning essay

She argued that introducing volunteer work and a course on democracy as mandatory requirements for all majors would "[allow for] the integration of democracy...into the minds of each and every student." Moreover, she said if student watchdog groups are created in the future, AUB officials and students would be held accountable and democracy would be exercised on "a smaller and more constricted level."

Kasdano's vision for the future also included joint ventures with other Arab universities and the establishment of a student model Arab league. "[This would] integrate democracy in the Arab world in a form that would not threaten the values, traditions, and heritage of any of the peoples... Arab frustration with the concept of Western democracy... is [then] transformed into a milder, less dominating form while still preserving its functional concepts," she said.

Najib Mikati talks to President Waterbury

Quoting AUB founder Daniel Bliss' mantra which drove him to establish the University as "a college for all conditions and classes of men," Mikati argued that what "contributed to the success of the West was the proper development of responsible citizens brought about by widely accessible high standards of education."

But while commending AUB's contribution to partnership, education and dialogue, Mikati indirectly reprimanded Lebanese decision-makers for being passive about planning for a better future.

"Education [is] the exact opposite of extremism," he said. But, education without initiative and entrepreneurship leads to brain drain, he argued. "I ask myself, today, 140 years later, did we really apply the vision of Dr Bliss? The much-needed principles of ...entrepreneurship, excellence, advancement, and also peace and harmony? ...Are we planning properly for [a] bright future?" he asked. "I regret to say that the situation at present is an acceptance of the status quo, where we wait for things to happen. And I say nothing will happen if we don't move forward... Any international support would turn away if we ourselves don't move away from discord and towards discourse."

"So, congratulations, to [them]. Let them continue by both education and example, to pass on this message of tolerance, so deeply and so successfully," he said.