Mabrouk

“We are collectively living through a significant moment in Arab history, perhaps the most important since the collapse of the Ottoman empire almost a century ago. The Arab world has been convulsed with citizen revolts in many countries, and the outcome of this prolonged transformation is impossible to guess at, or even imagine. The challenges and opportunities are formidable: to restructure governmental systems; to redefine what it means to be a citizen in an open society; to honor peoples of diverse origins and beliefs; to re-examine the concept of national identity; and to accept the huge responsibilities of citizenship as well as its privileges. A number of these questions lie at the heart of Lebanon’s future. I take comfort from knowing that an educated young generation is rising, eventually to participate in these challenges and opportunities.” Peter Dorman, AUB President, Commencement Address, June 12 2012