Alumni Bulletin - Fall 2008 - (Page 51)

A text the students read mentioned one of Tanzania’s foremost diplomats, Salim Ahmed Salim. When Scott asked Ahmed Salim ’08 if the diplomat was a distant relation, the student replied: “My father.” Ahmed’s father, Salim Salim, has been the African Union Special Envoy to Darfur since 2004. While serving as Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity from 1989 to 2001, he oversaw its transformation into the African Union. Since the 1960s, he has worked as a diplomat for Tanzania to Egypt, India, China, the Caribbean countries including Cuba, and the United Nations. In his home country, he has also held high positions, including that of Prime Minister from 1984-1985. Ahmed, who graduated in May with a degree in international relations, doesn’t trade on his father’s position, only discussing it when questioned. “I’m never going to deny who my dad is. But if it’s not a subject, I don’t mention it,” he says. “Plus, I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t an ambassador at 22. I didn’t try to solve any problems, so I can’t claim any credit.” Ahmed may not be an official member of Tanzania’s foreign service, but during his four years as an undergraduate, he served as an ambassador to Lehigh University. Between classes, homework, and gigs working as a DJ, he spearheaded two campuswide events during his senior year that sought to educate the Lehigh community about Africa. “Coming to Lehigh, I guess the only culture shock I had was that it was a pretty homogenous society,” he says. “I had to represent Tanzania and even Africa sometimes. But my pride went up exponentially in my own country and my own continent.” Ahmed and his friend, John Calvin Smiley ’08, organized the Rock for Darfur concert that showcased some of Lehigh’s most talented musicians and performers and also featured a performance by the Ghanaian rapper Blitz the Ambassador. The concert, held in November, sought to raise awareness of reveal Africa’s beauty and foster hope for the continent. “Africa Week started as a way for students and professors to deviate from the usual discussions of Africa,” he says. “We’re not denying that there are problems. But if people know about a culture and a people, then they will do everything in their power to see that it is preserved.” 27 lecture marked his first trip to Lehigh’s campus. He returned again in May to see his son get his degree. “When he comes out of Lehigh, he will know that it is not the end but the beginning. Education is a continual process,” says Salim Salim, who is a postgraduate alumnus of Columbia University photo by alison conKlin Ahmed Salim ’08 with his father, diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim, beside him. the Sudanese conflict among the Lehigh community. More than 250 people attended the event and donated more than $2,000 for the Enough Project, a group that seeks to promote peace in Darfur, Northern Uganda, and Eastern Congo. During the spring semester, Salim organized a six-day exploration of his home continent. Africa Week included a variety of lectures and cultural events designed to In achieving this goal, Scott says, “Africa Week was tremendously successful.” One of the week’s keynote speakers was Salim Salim, who presented a lecture titled “The Evolution of Africa” at no charge to the university. “I’m proud of (Ahmed’s) activities here,” the diplomat says of his son. “It’s important for people to know what is happening around the globe and in Africa.” The elder Salim’s March and has accrued seven honorary doctorates in disciplines such as humanities, international relations, and law. This fall, Ahmed Salim is pursuing a master’s degree in international affairs at Columbia University, after which he hopes to embark on a career in conflict resolution. “You’ll know when you feel like you’ve done something, and I don’t think I’ve done anything. I have a long way to go,” he says. —Becky Straw fALL 2008 51

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Alumni Bulletin - Fall 2008 Contents From the President's Desk Mailbox On Campus Research Arts & Culture Sports Cover Story: The Dalai Lama at Lehigh Heart of a Champion Around the World in 80 Years Fighting for Children wth Autism Keepers of the Flame From the Publisher's Desk Alumni News The Last Word

Alumni Bulletin - Fall 2008

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