Obama returns to public life for first time since presidency
'Ordinary people can perform extraordinary things when they stick together,' says the former leader of the free world, in his first public appearance since ending his second term as US president.
Former US president Barack Obama returned to the public spotlight on Monday, speaking before an audience on the Public Broadcasting Station (PBS).
"Ordinary people can perform extraordinary things when they stick together," said Obama during his talk, adding, "The single most important thing I can do is prepare next generation to take their crack at changing the world."
Obama added that young people are the key to solving the nation's most daunting problems and his plan after holding the nation's highest office is to work with them. He delivered brief remarks at the event before asking students on the panel about what influenced them.
The discussion was held at the University of Chicago, where Obama's presidential library is planned.
Roughly 500 people, many of whom are students from area colleges and at least one high school, attended the discussion. The invitation-only event is being billed as part of his post-presidency goal to "encourage and support the next generation of leaders."
In a thinly veiled criticism to the recent epidemic of "fake news" accusations levelled against news outlets in recent months—in no small part by current President Donald Trump—Obama said, "A lot of us who have been in politics for a while see a change … it used to be that everyone had the same information but had different opinions on it."
Obama gave advice on leadership, dealing with failure and even social media. He spoke briefly about his experiences as a community organizer before asking the panel of young people for their views.
Obama's presidential library is planned near the edge of the Chicago campus. He said he hopes it'll also serve as a place for young people to become more civically engaged.
On Sunday, Obama met privately with young men on the city's South Side to talk about gang violence and employment.
Obama delivered his presidential farewell speech in Chicago in January.
Following the end of his second term as president, Obama retreated from public life, with only the paparazzi providing the world glimpses of him and wife Michelle as they vacation with such friends as billionaire Richard Branson.
His first public engagement since then comes as President Donald Trump nears his 100-day mark in office.
