Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum Calls on Leaders to Focus on ‘We’ Instead of ‘Us and Them’
December 5, 2024
Third annual Forum brought together hundreds of experts, thought leaders, and emerging changemakers from across the world to explore how to disagree and still find common ground
Chicago (December 5, 2024) – As democracies around the world are tested and polarization becomes ever more pervasive, President Barack Obama concluded the third annual Democracy Forum by calling on attendees to build bridges across differences and renew their commitment to pluralism—by focusing on “we” instead of “us and them.”
In his keynote address, President Obama urged us all to embrace the challenge of finding common ground with each other, even when it is hard or uncomfortable.
“In order to build lasting majorities that support justice, we have to be open to ‘we’ instead of just ‘us’ and ‘them.’ We have to at least consider the possibility of a win/win situation, rather than zero-sum. And we have to acknowledge that we all have multiple identities. I’m an African American man, for example, but I’m also a husband and a father, a Christian, a writer, and a Bears fan–which hasn’t been easy this season,” said President Obama.
This year’s Forum, held in Chicago, brought together hundreds of global changemakers to explore the challenges and opportunities for fostering inclusive dialogue and creating more just societies. Throughout the day, panels and discussions explored ways to ensure all voices can fight for what they believe in while also finding common ground to advance solutions that better people’s lives across the world.
“At this moment in history–when those core principles seem to be under attack, when too many people around the world have become cynical and disengaged, I can’t think of a better time to ask ourselves tough questions about how we can rebuild our democracies and make them work, in meaningful, practical ways, for ordinary people,” President Obama told attendees. “This idea, that each of us has to show a level of forbearance towards those who don’t look or think or pray like us, is at the heart of democracy.”
Other featured speakers included actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds ; Interfaith America founder and president Eboo Patel ; senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld ; and executive director of The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth & Reconciliation Ainka Jackson ; among many others.
The Democracy Forum focuses on strengthening key pillars of democracy, including halting the spread of misinformation and building a more inclusive economy. For the first time, this year’s attendees participated in hands-on workshops to exchange experiences and share tools for fostering productive dialogue in their communities. For digital attendees and those who are interested in learning more, the onsite workshop toolkits are available here .
For more information on the Democracy Forum, visit obama.org. Access photos from the Forum here (Opens in a new tab) and video from the Forum here (Opens in a new tab) . Access the transcript of President Barack Obama’s keynote address here and download a video here (Opens in a new tab) .
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Contact: Gloria Nlewedim Eichar, press@obama.org