Here Edtech entrepreneur Sahra-Josephine Hjorth introduced President Obama by referencing her work with connecting young people with critical information in collaboration with 120+ NGOs in a time of misinformation.
Here Edtech entrepreneur Sahra-Josephine Hjorth introduced President Obama by referencing her work with connecting young people with critical information in collaboration with 120+ NGOs in a time of misinformation.
With him were 60 Obama Foundation leaders who work as civil servants, lead civil society organizations, and innovate in the private sector. The Obama Foundation Leaders attended the Copenhagen Democracy Summit Thursday and Friday, culminating in a town hall event with 700 guests. Here Edtech entrepreneur Sahra-Josephine Hjorth introduced President Obama by referencing her work with connecting young people with critical information in collaboration with 120+ NGOs in a time of misinformation. Sahra-Josephine Hjorth’s words of caution:
“I stand before you to appeal to you with a sense of urgency: While the increasing use of smartphones and social media first came with a whisper of a new era of democratic participation, fake news and misinformation dominate the digital landscape and result in the erosion of the fabric of truth and polarization. The young people on our learning platforms are concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the lack of advancement on climate change. We expect technology giants to enter a new era where digital ethics and transparency are a baseline, not an extravagance”.
We expect technology giants to enter a new era where digital ethics and transparency are a baseline, not an extravagance”.
We expect technology giants to enter a new era where digital ethics and transparency are a baseline, not an extravagance”.
Sahra-Josephine Hjorth continued to speak of how the Obama Foundation’s Leaders Program in Europe gives her renewed hope:
it’s okay for a young woman to have big dreams and to articulate those big dreams with a sense of pride. They have shown me in pursuit of those big dreams, the path may be challenging, but that we are all the change we have been waiting for
it’s okay for a young woman to have big dreams and to articulate those big dreams with a sense of pride. They have shown me in pursuit of those big dreams, the path may be challenging, but that we are all the change we have been waiting for
“There is much to be solved still, yet my sense of hope remains intact. Throughout my experience as an Obama Foundation Leader, President Obama and my peers taught me that it’s okay for a young woman to have big dreams and to articulate those big dreams with a sense of pride. They have shown me in pursuit of those big dreams, the path may be challenging, but that we are all the change we have been waiting for”.
After welcoming President Obama to the stage, President Obama delivered an address and was then joined on stage by Obama Foundation Leaders Tudor Iulian Bradatan, Selvije Mustafi, and Federica Vinci, who engaged in lively discussions with President Obama about democracy in the digital era, organizing and the role of youth and civil society in reshaping democracy.
Following the event, President Obama and key staff spent Saturday with Obama Foundation leaders. The event was closed to the public but involved the discussion of threats to democracy and the role youth can play in solving the most pressing issues of our times.
Sunday, President Obama met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and delivered a talk in the city of Skive.
According to the Obama Foundation, the Leaders Program Europe is an extension of the legacy of the Obamas and their deep commitment to the region, with a focus on shared values and ethical leadership. The six-month, non-residential program convenes dedicated changemakers virtually for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation network.
You can view the townhall event below: