Obama Foundation Unveils Event Lineup for 2024 Democracy Forum

November 19, 2024

President Barack Obama will deliver a keynote address on the necessity of pluralism for democracy to succeed

CHICAGO – Today, The Obama Foundation announced the event lineup for its third annual Democracy Forum. The Forum will highlight the long-term importance of pluralism and spotlight the spectrum of leaders’ polarized environments, from historically segregated communities to recent conflict zones to college campuses. 

President Barack Obama’s keynote address will tackle the essential need for pluralism—meaningfully engaging across differences—not only when it is easy but especially when it requires introspection and hard conversations. He will join hundreds of global changemakers, including Obama Foundation program participants, leading experts, and storytellers, to discuss how pluralism is an essential tool for helping democracy deliver for people. Together, they will explore ways to ensure all voices—across diverse identities and experiences—can fight hard for what they believe in and find common ground to advance concrete solutions that better people’s lives. 

For the first time, attendees will participate in hands-on workshops where they can share their experiences and learn new tools to foster productive dialogue essential to inclusive and resilient communities. 

Established in 2022, the Democracy Forum is a venue where current and future leaders focus on the long-term work required to sustain our system of government, whether it is rebuilding social trust or reinforcing core democratic principles and norms. Previous forums have addressed the issues of misinformation and inclusive economies. This year’s Forum caps off a year of Foundation programming centered on pluralism. We hope the Forum will inspire and empower leaders to continue the work, especially against headwinds and challenges. 

The 2024 Democracy Forum sessions will focus on the following topics: 

  • Why Pluralism Matters

  • The Political Case for Pluralism

  • The Power of Culture and Connection

  • How to Make Progress in Polarized Times

  • Peace and Justice through Collaborative Action

  • Leadership Skills for a Diverse Democracy

Speakers at the Democracy Forum will include individuals who are working to advance pluralism in their work and within their own communities:

  • Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, advises governments, philanthropists, and activists on how democracies make major social change.

  • Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, is working with universities, government officials, civic leaders, and corporations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.

  • Layla Zaidane, President & CEO of Future Caucus, the largest bipartisan organization of Gen Z and millennial lawmakers in the United States. 

  • Ainka Jackson, 2023 United States Obama Leader, Founding Executive Director of the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation, an organization committed to creating Selma 2.0 by bridging divides and building the Beloved Community. 

  • Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, is currently building the largest and fastest-growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics. 

  • Nika Kovač, the Director of The Research Institute of 8th March, an NGO that tackles gender and economic inequalities.

View the current list of speakers, the full agenda, and Democracy Forum updates here. Additional speakers will be announced ahead of the Forum.

The 2024 Democracy Forum is made possible by The Obama Foundation’s many generous donors, including the Democracy Forum’s Platinum Sponsor, Gwen Weiner.

KEY DETAILS FOR MEDIA:

WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 2024

TIME: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION: Marriott Marquis Chicago (2121 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60616)

MEDIA RSVP (Opens in a new tab): Media interested in attending should fill out this form (Opens in a new tab) no later than Friday, November 29. Completing the form is not a guarantee of your attendance. Space is limited, and you will be notified whether or not you are credentialed and provided with additional logistics by December 3.

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Contact: Gloria Nlewedim Eichar, press@obama.org