Former US President Barack Obama urged universities to stand up for their core values, emphasizing the importance of democratic principles and pluralism.
Speaking at the inaugural Obama Foundation Democracy Forum, Obama highlighted the challenges facing democracy worldwide, including polarization, disinformation and erosion of trust in institutions.
“The threat to democracy doesn’t always run along a conservative/liberal, left/right axis,” Obama said. “What we’re seeing is a challenge to the foundational principles of democracy itself, the notion that all citizens have a right to freely participate in selecting who governs them.”
Obama stressed the need for universities to promote inclusive and sustainable models of capitalism, reimagine media platforms to curb disinformation and foster a healthier exchange of ideas.
He also emphasized the importance of civic education and rebuilding mediating institutions to bring people together across different backgrounds.
“We have to acknowledge the anxieties and frustrations that rapid economic and cultural and demographic changes have brought,” Obama said. “We have to find a language, a story of how we can affirm the best of traditional values in our respective countries or communities.”
The forum brought together young leaders and top thinkers to discuss the trends putting democratic pluralism on the defensive and explore ways to rebuild a stronger democratic culture. Obama announced a new and expanded Leaders USA program to empower young people to put their idealism to work.
“We’re just scratching the surface of what’s next, what this next generation is capable of,” Obama said, highlighting the passion and determination of young leaders driving positive change worldwide ¹.