Chuck Hagel, Tom Ridge Discuss Challenges and Opportunities Facing New U.S. Leadership
Ridge, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and former Governor of Pennsylvania, joined UNO alumnus Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and former U.S. Senator from Nebraska, for a discussion on global leadership.
- published: 2021/03/08
With an ever-growing list foreign and domestic of challenges facing the new presidential administration, two former U.S. Secretaries say the United States has an opportunity to redefine its position in the world and the role it takes as a global leader.
Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel sat down to discuss what the nation’s path forward may look like as it confronts domestic terror, strengthens traditional alliances, and utilizes existing tools to take on new and emerging threats as the focus of the 2021 Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership.
The virtual event hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the Atlantic Council on Monday night was the third installment of the series, which has previously featured then-former Vice President Joe Biden in 2019 and former Secretary of State John Kerry in 2020. During his introductory remarks, Hagel, a UNO graduate and former Nebraska Senator, thanked his longtime friend, Ridge, the nation’s first Secretary of Homeland Security, for his “careful, wise, focused leadership” that has “facilitated so much good for this country.”
“To have an opportunity to bring someone like Tom Ridge in for the third annual lecture after now-President Biden and former Secretary Kerry, it’s a real pleasure and a privilege,” Hagel said.”
During the presentation, Ridge provided three tips for the next generation of leaders.
“Be involved in the political process; hold those who represent you at the local, state and federal level accountable; and lastly, if you believe in your country and you want to make a difference, don't ever, ever miss a primary or a general election,” Ridge said. “And I don't care what it's for, it's not a privilege, it's a responsibility.”
The presentation also featured remarks from Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe, UNO Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., and UNO Student Body President Jabin Moore. The presentation also featured a discussion moderated by Michelle Black, Ph.D., an assistant professor of political science at UNO and a research fellow for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI).
The presentation is available below to view in its entirety.
Watch the Forum
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