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This year’s festival is a very special one. First of all, as every other year, this is
an opportunity for us to celebrate all of the people from different cultures and different
parts of the world that choose to study here from The University of Montana - people from
the community who are so supportive of international activity here at the University. So, first
and foremost this is an important time of celebration for us at the University. And
the fact that this festival is now been in place for twenty years speaks so loudly about
what we value not only at the University but in the Missoula community. Additionally this
years’ festival takes on a special meaning to us because of so many important events
that have happened in the world that affect people here at the University. And clearly
the tragedy in Japan has been something that so many people here have felt personally.
We have many, many students here at The University from Japan. Our heart goes out to them and
their families. And certainly almost everyone here at the Unviersity is touched in some
way by people in Japan. Additionally, there has been such turmoil in the Arab world, in
recent months as well. And again we have such a strong presence and interest and people
from the Arab world here at The University and so it is a very important connection for
us as well. And finally we are just about trying to create one of the best learning
environments in public higher education – one that focuses on a university for the global
century. And this festival is right at the center of that philosophy. So it’s been
a wonderful year and we’re delighted to be here at the festival this year.