Father Walid Moussa, President of Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon, welcomed guests to the 2009 International Association of Universities Conference on fostering dialogue and understanding. He highlighted Lebanon's diversity as 18 religious sects coexist peacefully due to freedom of expression and prevention of foreign interference. Higher education plays a key role through dialogue in acknowledging others, recognizing similarities, and understanding oneself. Universities worldwide face challenges of diversity that dialogue and understanding can help address.