The key to leadership in a rapidly changing world: Grade 11 Global Politics students hear from a former US President
12 June 2025
By Khushi, Grade 11 Global Politics student, East Campus & UWCSEA Communications team
A group of International Baccalaureate Global Politics students got the opportunity to attend a fireside chat by former US President Bill Clinton. Ten Grade 11 students from UWCSEA East were part of a small gathering of around 100 people who listened to President Clinton share his thoughts on the current state of the world, and what he has learned about leadership having served two presidential terms from 1993 to 2001. One student, Khushi, shares her observations about the evening.
In her own words: Khushi, Grade 11 Global Politics student, East Campus
We were extremely grateful to have this incredibly eye-opening experience as it gave us deep insight into the perspectives of a powerful world leader and respected humanitarian.
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, President Clinton emphasised the importance of cooperation, saying that it simply doesn’t work to only focus on one’s own interests, and that leaders have a responsibility to work together.
This sentiment was echoed in our recent discussions in class on liberalism and interdependence in global politics. It’s one thing to learn about the importance of theories that accentuate cooperation, but quite another to learn from people in power that actually deeply believe and form policy based on it.
We were inspired to hear about President Clinton’s faith in dialogue and diplomacy and its continued role in mitigating conflict, and developing relations. His reflections on speaking directly, indirectly, or not at all with leaders of other countries such as Russia, North Korea, and Israel when he was President were profound and illuminating. We were able to hear President Clinton’s personal views, which are not often mentioned in traditional sources of the news.
One of the biggest themes that arose from President Clinton’s comments was that of optimism and hope in a rapidly changing world. He spoke of the definition of success in politics: he suggested that the role of world leaders was not to eradicate problems–something that’s incredibly difficult if not impossible to do–but rather to “manage” them to the best of their abilities given the resources available. By redefining success, President Clinton said he hoped that politicians and other actors could take a more positive outlook in global politics.
When asked whether he was optimistic about the future considering the current state of the world, his answer was one that stuck with many of us: Optimism is a choice. While it is easy to fall into a spiral of disillusionment and pessimism, President Clinton expressed that power and leadership come with the responsibility to work towards finding solutions, and that optimism for the future can come–not from seeing the world as it is–but from actively striving to pursue a better one.
Former US President Bill Clinton shakes hands with UWCSEA East Grade 11 student Khushi.
When asked whether he was optimistic about the future considering the current state of the world, his answer was one that stuck with many of us: Optimism is a choice.
- Khushi, Grade 11 Global Politics student, East Campus
At UWCSEA, our Global Politics course empowers students to think critically, challenge assumptions, and explore real-world case studies that cover a range of global issues. When students have the chance to hear directly from world leaders, they hear first-hand about the nature of power, how political systems work and how this impacts people. We are grateful for these opportunities as they contribute greatly to helping students develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be an effective global citizen.