John Hume was co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his efforts to end violence in Northern Ireland (together with David Trimble of the Ulster Unionist Party). A former teacher and later a member of British and of European parliaments, Hume is credited for laying the foundations for the pioneering document known as the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. In his rousing speech at MIT he states,"difference is an accident of birth; there is no peace without dialogue." Hume is introduced by MIT Chancellor Philip L. Clay.

About the Ford/MIT Nobel Laureate Lecture Series: In 1997 the Ford Motor Company engaged MIT in a strategic partnership to address a set of 21st century challenges facing the automotive industry. Through this innovative program, the Nobel Laureate Lecture Series was introduced in 2000 and featured local and international Nobel Laureates leading provocative discussions in economics, physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, and peacemaking. Seven lectures were held from 2000 to 2005 at MIT and were organized by MIT's Community Services Office, Lecture Series Committee, Graduate Student Council, Industrial Liaison Program, Undergraduate Association, and the Office of the Chancellor.