Download - Institute for Global Leadership

is indeed a valuable experience. Achieving peace requires not only a good intention but mastering the art of reconciliation,
conflict management, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of rival communities. The Global Leadership Initiative
is certainly a good step in the right direction, which compels me to express my utmost gratitude.”
Also, in an article on “Iran and the United States: How Likely Is Reconciliation?” in the March 2007 Foreign Policy Forum,
Hossein Askari wrote, “In January of 2007 I was fortunate to participate in an unusual conference organized by the Institute
for Global Leadership at Tufts University. The goal was to initiate reconciliation between the warring factions in Iraq. To
bring substance to the discussion, the organizers invited senior members of the African National Congress from South Africa,
Protestant and Catholic leaders from Northern Ireland and leaders from the factions involved in Central American conflicts.
Without really doing justice to the wealth of suggestions that came out of this remarkable conference to support reconciliation
in Iraq, several lessons stood out in my mind: in all cases of civil strife the one common element is the erosion of trust.
Establishing trust is a slow and painful process, but the need to do so is paramount. One thing is certain: trust does not come
about in an environment of threats and killings. Actions that appear to be inconsequential can mushroom into seemingly
insurmountable obstacles to reconciliation. To establish trust and to move forward, all parties have to talk; there is no escaping
this simple yet forgotten fact. One must start talking early on and put further killing (and harmful rhetoric) aside, because it
can only make reconciliation ever more difficult. In talks, all parties must acknowledge past transgressions and demonstrate a
willingness to change course.”
Synaptic Scholars
The IGL began its Synaptic Scholars program this year. Synaptic
Scholars is designed to encourage and enable students interested
in creative, intellectual exploration to realize their potential in
intensive, interdisciplinary settings. After being accepted into the
program in their sophomore year, students work with selected
faculty and other mentors to develop immersive and rigorous
internships, research initiatives and projects. International travel is
sometimes a major component of these experiences. The Scholars
also meet weekly to examine a broad range of current events and
global issues, organize community events, offer feedback and
support for individual and group projects, and reflect on their
evolving interests and personal goals, as well as participatei in
social events such as hiking in the White Mountains. Ultimately,
the Synaptic Scholars program is a leadership program, meant to provide a forum for students to take risks, pursue
passions, and challenge assumptions in an intimate, supportive and collaborative environment. It is designed to cultivate a
strong sense of accountability and responsibility, while encouraging scholars to enrich the University’s intellectual life and
programming.
The inaugural class consisted of nine sophomores, including an Israeli commando, a men’s varsity soccer player, a classical
pianist, a competitive skier, and leaders of various clubs, organizations, activist groups and community service projects,
on- and off-campus.
To work towards their mission of helping to enrich Tufts’ intellectual life and social programming, this spring the Scholars
organized two “Fireside Chats” to connect the knowledge and expertise of Tufts faculty with undergraduate interests and
academic pursuits. The two questions posed were “Is There a Right and a Wrong?” and “What Is the Purpose of Higher
Education?”
During the winter break, four of the Scholars conducted a two-week research trip in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigeria was identified
56
Institute for Global Leadership, Tufts University