Philanthropy

A philanthropist with far-reaching interests, Issam Michael Fares has devoted his wealth to the betterment of mankind, through both charitable enterprises and the promotion of peace and understanding among the world’s peoples. His giving reflects the breadth of his concerns — from Middle Eastern studies to global affairs, and from education to animal research and welfare.

Among his favorite programs is the Issam Michael Fares Lecture Series, a program of the Tufts University-based Fares Center for Eastern Mediterraneann Studies. Fares launched the lecture series to spark discussion of issues of current social, economic and political importance while providing valuable insight on matters of cultural and historical significance. The series has included speakers of international repute, including Baroness Thatcher of Great Britain, former French president Valery Giscard d’Estaing, former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, and former U.S. secretaries of state James Baker and Colin Powell.

Fares has supported a range of worthy programs, including:

• The Issam Michael Fares Book Fund at Tufts University, to promote the further study of Middle Eastern Affairs;

• The European Interparliamentary Assembly of Orthodox Deputies, which encourages contact between leaders of multiple cultures on their shared Orthodox heritage;

• The International Crisis Group (ICG), which works on five continents to find the causes of, prevent, and resolve violent conflicts;

• The Fares Research Center, a program of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplojmacy at Tufts University;

• The Fares Equine Research Center, which provides for a specialized course of study at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine;

• The Fares Foundation, to provide hope, health and academic opportunity to underprivileged youth in Lebanon.