Barack Obama awarded doctorate, speaks at Glasgow Hydro

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Former US President Barack Obama was awarded an honorary doctorate at Queen's University Belfast and spoke at Glasgow's OVO Hydro arena.

Barack Obama was awarded an honorary doctorate at Queen's University Belfast on Tuesday ahead of speaking at Glasgow's OVO Hydro arena that evening. At the university, the 44th US president commended Northern Ireland's transformation since the Troubles and challenged the next generation to maintain an inclusive future.

Obama praised the Good Friday Agreement as 'a shining example of what can happen when people put aside old wounds and choose peace'. However, he warned that democracy is not guaranteed. 'Peace and democracy are not inevitable,' he said. 'They have to be chosen, again and again.'

Later that evening, Obama addressed a packed crowd at the OVO Hydro in a wide-ranging conversation with journalist Susan McKay. He discussed striving for peace amid global instability and spoke about hope, telling the audience that people must 'rediscover what's the story we tell about how we're going to live together, and see each other, and recognise each other, and disagree, and yet, still care for each other'. He added that the Good Friday Agreement came about through people imagining something better and seeing themselves and each other differently.

How it is being reported

• In pictures: Former US president Barack Obama arrives in Glasgow in six-car convoyFormer American president Barack Obama has arrived at his hotel in Glasgow ahead of his talk at the OVO HydroThe National · 14 Oct, 16:48
• Barack Obama given doctorate at Belfast university ahead of Glasgow Hydro eventThe former US President is set to speak at an event in the Hydro on Wednesday eveningDaily Record · 14 Oct, 09:10

In this story: Barack Obama · Queen's University Belfast · Belfast · Glasgow · OVO Hydro · Northern Ireland · Susan McKay · United States

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