Obama to entrepreneurs after Brexit: ‘You’re the bridge, you’re the glue’

Speaking at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, U.S. President Barack Obama gave his first speech since the U.K. voted to leave the European Union yesterday.

While the President’s direct comments on Brexit were mild and reassuring — you can read them here — his later commentary on the possibilities of global entrepreneurship rather transparently challenged the blatant xenophobia that appeared during the Brexit campaign.

Here’s an excerpt from his speech to an audience of technologists and entrepreneurs at Stanford University:

You are going to be what helps this process of global integration work, in a way that is good for everyone and not just some.

I’ve spoken about this before. I believe we are better off in a world in which we are trading and networking and communicating and sharing ideas. But, that also means that cultures are colliding. And sometimes it’s disruptive. And people get worried.

You’re the bridge, you’re the glue — particularly the young people that are here — who can help lead towards a more peaceful and prosperous future that provides opportunity for everybody.

It’s probably no coincidence that Obama has recently hinted that his next steps may involve a career in venture capital. You can watch his speech in full on YouTube.