- We need to build democracy for the future, not the past.
And what gives me hope
is the promise and potential of the next generation
of leaders who are coming up.
Young people who understand
that the future of democracy hangs in the balance.
(tranquil music begins)
So we're here at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit
and we convened our Obama Foundation and European leaders.
And it's been extraordinary.
All right, good for work.
Let's do this.
You ready?
Of course you are.
- As an activist, you don't have to compromise.
It's easy, right?
You have an idea, you have a point, you bring it forward.
- You need to win something.
You need to get something done for your constituents.
So if you can win it, go for it.
- They're on the side of the activist,
but what can we do to change the public opinion
in a way that politicians will vote with us?
- There's a difference between
when they genuinely can't do something
'cause they just don't have the votes,
versus they choose not to do something.
To hear their ideas
about how they're engaging people in their communities,
how they're framing issues,
how they're getting support for significant initiatives,
was inspiring.
These young people are ready to do the work
and many of them are already deeply engaged
in the project of rebuilding our democracies.
That's who Michelle and I are supporting at our foundation.
And that is why I'm so glad to be joined
by just a small sampling
of our extraordinary Obama Foundation leaders
from all across Europe, who gathered here today.
- My name is Selvo Mustafi,
I'm coming from North Macedonia.
and I'm a national grassroots organizer
within the biggest Roma national movement in Macedonia,
named Avaya, which means "we are coming."
(crosstalk) (everyone laughing)
- I came in right at the juicy part.
(audience laughing)
- We are coming or we are all working in systems
that are already existent
that are very, having old in dynamic structures.
And was starting talking about you entering the White House,
coming to an institution that is old democratic institution.
- But it also highlighted not just Europe,
but the United States
and countries around the world are facing.
And that is how can we strengthen democracy
at a time when divisions are all conspiring
to pull societies and communities apart,
as opposed to bringing them together.
- I work in education.
And I think my guiding principle
is giving every student or every child
an equal opportunity for success.
And I think at its core, that's a very democratic principle.
- Very often in our work,
you feel isolated in your challenges,
but actually I'm learning that very often,
we face the same challenges,
but there are different solutions
and different ways of approaching those challenges.
- What I've been most impressed with during my time with you
is not just how accomplished and smart
and thoughtful each of you are individually,
but it is extraordinary
how much of a community you've formed among each other.
This small society you've built is a microcosm.
And if everybody interacted with each other
the way you do,
we'd be in a pretty good place.
And I look forward
to all the ways in which we're gonna build things together
for years to come.
- All right.
(audience applauds)