Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will deliver the commencement address at the College’s 191st Commencement ceremony on May 20.
From 1983 to 2007, Blair was a Member of Parliament representing Britain’s Labour Party. He served as the leader of the Party from 1994 to 2007, during which he was Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from May 1997 to June 2007.
During his time as leader of the Labour Party, he is credited by many with modernizing the Party through his influential role in replacing Clause IV of the Party’s constitution. This Clause stated the Party’s intention to create “common ownership of the means of production and exchange.” He replaced this with an intention to move the Party towards democratic socialism. As a result of his leadership, the Party was dubbed “New Labour.”
As Prime Minister, Blair helped improve British relations with Northern Ireland in an agreement that put an end to decades of conflict. Also, Blair cooperated with the US on the War on Terrorism. When British casualties rose in the Iraq War, his approval ratings fell, and he resigned shortly thereafter.
Now, Blair is the Quartet Envoy to the Middle East, representing the US, United Nations, Russia and the European Union in working to prepare Palestinian territories for statehood, as part of an effort to secure peace in the region. Also since his time as Prime Minister, Blair has launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which promotes education about and respect among the world’s major religions and aims to show the benefit of faith as a force for good in the world.
Also, Blair created the African Governance Initiative that provides support for leaders in new governments in Africa. Additionally, Blair is credited with bringing climate change to the forefront of policymaking across the world, and seeks international cooperation on this issue through his Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative.
Colby President William “Bro” Adams said in a recent press release, “The issues to which he has dedicated his life are on the forefront of our students’ minds, especially as they enter their own professional lives. I know that his address, and his presence on our campus, will be a potent reminder for the graduates of the impact one dedicated person can have on the world.”
Blair will address the Class of 2012 at Commencement, which is scheduled to take place on Miller Library Lawn, weather permitting. The rain location is the Harold Alfond Athletic Center where there will be limited capacity.