By: JurmoloyaRava
FORMER US president Barack Obama last Wednesday (1) resurrected his campaign slogan of hope and change as he closed his foundation’s first summit launching his post-presidency initiative to foster young civic leaders.
Obama held the invitation-only summit in Chicago for 500 hand-picked young leaders from 60 nations and 27 US states to share ideas and hear speakers, including Prince Harry, along with artists, chefs, activists and politicians.
Almost completely devoid of politics, the event focused on how to help the youth activists and leaders to better accomplish their goals.
The 44th US president urged patience as he told participants they would help shape the Obama Foundation’s emerging plans to encourage grassroots solutions to problems ranging from mass incarceration to income inequality.
“People misunderstood sometimes the slogan we used. Hope does not mean that tomorrow everything’s going to be better,” Obama said. “Change is possible if we put our shoulder to the wheel. But it doesn’t happen overnight.”
Obama did not mention US president Donald Trump, who has sought to dismantle many of his policies, including his signature domestic policy achievement, the Affordable Care Act, and deportation protections for young immigrants.
Former first lady Michelle Obama, discussing her upbringing and public service, urged attendees to be cautious of the power of social media.
“You don’t tweet every thought,” she said, drawing laughter. “I’m not talking about anybody in particular,” she added, also without mentioning Trump, who has used Twitter continually to blast out opinions.
The conference was held on the South Side of Chicago, where the Obama Foundation plans to build a presidential center near the neighborhoods where Obama was a community organizer and which helped propel his political career.
Hip-Hop artist Common and Lin- Manuel Miranda, creator of the hit musical Hamilton, appeared together to discuss art and activism.
“You can make your voice heard and make an enormous difference,” Common said.
Obama has made cultivating the next generation of leaders a centerpiece of his post-White House work.
“I could not have been more inspired by what I saw and what I heard from all of you,” the former president said in closing. “What I saw was the possibility of change. What I saw was the promise of a generation that is coming up behind us.
“We had confidence that if we just brought this many people together who were doing this many magnificent things, that they would teach each other, and inspire each other, and teach us,” he said.
“And on that front, I, for one, think it’s been a success.” (Agencies)
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