Cameron proposes global collaboration in order for universal success

By Olivia Houston

ELON, N.C.—David Cameron, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, said global

collaboration is a necessity when it comes to facing and tackling social and cultural issues.

“[We need to] first understand what lies behind the current unease behind globalization and

deliver,” he said. “[Secondly, we need to] win the arguments all over again for the right values

and [lastly, we need to] think about the most important challenges that lie ahead.”

Cameron spoke at Convocation on Oct. 5 at Elon University and addressed the demand for

assimilation, the idea of globalization, and the crucial role that technology plays in society.

“We face immense challenges in our world,” he said. “But sometimes it’s good to take a step

back and look [at the things we have achieved thus far] … Years ago a cloud was just a thing in

the sky, a tweet was just the sound a bird makes, and skype was just a typo.”

As a former leader of the Conservative Party, Cameron urged for the audience to put their

personal political parties aside. Cameron stated how, although there have been many

advancements in society, there still need to be improvements.

He mentioned how the pace of change has been too fast for people to keep up with, therefore

creating economic and cultural problems. Specifically, he referred to problems with integration

and education.

Cameron referred to the need for countries to collaborate to solve universal issues.

“You can’t make your country truly safe when there is damage to others going on in others],” he

said. “Just because something isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you should ditch it.”

Cameron said we must identify the great challenges that our generations will need to meet. Using

global poverty and the fight against Islamic extremism as examples, Cameron said we have to

recognize that clear thought and understanding are required for issues like these.

As he continued on about Islamic extremism, he said we have to recognize that these terrorists

are trying to pervert their religion to justify their actions.

“We will win when we show our values are the best way of delivering the peace and prosperity

of society,” he said. “We can overcome our adversaries, but not without determined American

leadership.”

Cameron said the partnership between America and Britain was never a given, but the two

nations are working together to help fix the major problems such as the reconstruction of the

Caribbean due to hurricane destruction, and overtaking Islamic terrorists.

“The United Kingdom and the United States are great countries because we do things properly,”

he said. “We don’t need to be more like someone else. We need to be more like us, the real us.

Yes, hardworking, optimistic, but also the guardians of freedom, tolerance and justice.”

According to Cameron, the world needs to work together to successfully fix social, economic,

and political problems.

“[If we do that,] we will be great again,” he said.

Many audience members shared similar reactions to Cameron’s speech.

“I thought it was amazing, and I loved how he incorporated humor and made it relatable to

Elon,” sophomore Lana Caroleo said.

Another student, Charlotte Grinnell shared the same opinion. “He did a really great job of putting

complicated issues in simple context so that it was easy to follow,” Charlotte said. “He kept it

lighthearted while addressing important issues.”