Former civil service workers inspired a new generation at the sixth annual Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership at The University of Nebraska at Omaha. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel inspired students with stories of resilience, leadership, and justice from their years in public service. They encouraged young attendees to think about their own civic engagement with a rallying cry that youth start all great movements. At a crossroads in America’s political history, the discussion urged young attendees to take political action locally and get involved in their communities. All great movements start with small, personal actions.
Hear from former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on motivating the youth:
So, I hope you, like me, will leave this place later this evening feeling impatient. Inspired and impatient…Do not be satisfied with progress.
You don’t have to run for office, or be an attorney general, or do all the things that you can do to be fulfilled. Service is about your community, your family, your friends. Don’t you want to help build a better community, a better life for people?
Chancellor Joanne Li, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Hear Chancellor Joanne Li’s opening remarks:
The Chuck Hagel Forum was created six years ago with a big vision. We are here to try to explore critical issues with global leaders such as our former U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, to try to find solutions for global challenges. And I think this vision is so aligned with UNO, our university, your university, as an urban university to try to elevate the civic engagement of our community. Your participation means a lot to this urban university. We will continue to be that university to engage in this kind of conversation.
Photo credit: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Pictured from left: Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement, Jody Neathery-Castro, Ph.D.; Chuck Hagel; and Eric H. Holder, Jr.
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