One Nation Indivisible | John Bridgeland | TEDxPennsylvaniaAvenue

How can America restore its ability to solve big problems, bring young people together in common purpose across race, ethnicity, politics and religion, and heal a divided nation? Former White House Domestic Policy Director John Bridgeland shares his vision for universal voluntary national service — drawing on his experience after 9/11 and the lessons of U.S. history. Now is a more urgent time than ever to bring this big idea to scale.

John Bridgeland is Founder & CEO of Civic Enterprises, Vice Chair of the Service Year Alliance at The Aspen Institute to make a service year a common expectation and opportunity for all 18-28 year olds, Co-Convener of Grad Nation to reach a 90 percent high school graduation rate by 2020, and Vice Chairman of Malaria No More, a nonprofit working to end malaria deaths in Africa by the end of 2016.

Previously, Bridgeland was appointed by President Obama to serve on the White House Council for Community Solutions. He also served as Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Assistant to the President of the United States, and first Director of the USA Freedom Corps under President George W. Bush. He was a member of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Virginia School of Law. He lives in McLean, Virginia with his wife and three children.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx