PAST EVENTS
The Common Good Forum & American Spirit Awards
The Common Good Forum is an annual program presenting headline issues and the most important, forward-looking ideas affecting public policy and our lives. We are building a remarkable roster for our annual event, with participants from government, media, business, foreign affairs and tech, as well as public policy activists.
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Common Good Forum is an annual program presenting headline issues and the most important, forward-looking ideas affecting public policy and our lives. We are building a remarkable roster for our annual event, with participants from government, media, business, foreign affairs and tech, as well as public policy activists.
For the first time the TCG Forum and American Spirit Awards will take place online over Zoom. Icons, leaders, legends and role models from all areas will speak on issues impacting our nation. Our Forum will focus on three of the defining issues of the 21st century - inequality, climate change, and democracy at home and abroad.
The American Spirit Awards continue to be an iconic award that is given to those who have experienced and posses the best of the American spirit. During this turbulent time we have seen the very best of the American spirit and are thrilled to honor those who have exhibited such qualities.
Listen to podcast below:
Watch the video below:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Ray Dalio
Famed investor and philanthropist, Ray Dalio is the Co-Chief Investment Officer and Co-Chairman of Bridgewater Associates. the world's largest hedge fund,
Mr. Dalio will receive the American Spirit Award for Business Leadership.
AMBASSADOR (ret.) BILL TAYLOR
Diplomat, veteran and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Taylor is vice president, Strategic Stability and Security at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He recently served as chargé d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv. During the Arab Spring, he oversaw U.S. assistance and support to Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria. Ambassador Taylor also famously and bravely served a key witness in the Ukraine impeachment inquiry.
Ambassador Taylor will receive the American Spirit Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Chelsey Earnest and The Staff of Kirkland’s Life Care Center
Earnest was one of the many nurses, doctors, and other health care workers who risked their lives to save others. Chelsey volunteered at the Life Care Center and, with their dedicated staff, fought to save the facility’s residents, even as patients and staff too became ill with terrifying speed.
We are proud to award Chelsey Earnest and the brave staff of Kirkland’s Life Care Center with our American Spirit Award for Courageous Service in the Pandemic.
Margaret Hoover and John Allon
Our hosts for the evening, Margaret Hoover, is a journalist, best-selling author, and host of PBS's Firing Line, Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, The Daily Beast, CNN.com, and FoxNews.com. She is also currently a CNN political contributor. John Avlon is a journalist and political commentator. He is a Senior Political Analyst and anchor at CNN.
Jon Meacham
Jon Meacham is an american writer, reviewer, historian, presidential biographer, and pulitzer prize-winning author. Meacham has led a life discussing and analyzing leadership on past American presidents and historical events, while providing thoughtful and engaging conversations. He also continues to contribute as a writer for The New York Times Book Review, contributing editor of Time, and has written pieces for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Garden & Gun.
Mr. Meacham will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Thought Leadership.
Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist, planetary scientist, author, and science communicator. Dr. Tyson has been an influential voice surrounding the subjects of astrophysics and aerospace. Additionally, his interests and research has contributed to the fields of cosmology, stellar evolution, galactic astronomy, bulges, and stellar formation.
Dr. Tyson’s work also spreads in the world of filmography as being host for multiple science based shows most notably NOVA, Cosmos, and StarTalk. As well as an abundant of appearances in other documentaries and TV shows.
Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson will be presented with the American Spirit Award for Public Integrity. which recognizes Dr. Tyson’s exceptional commitment to honesty, truth, and science.
Lt. Col (ret.) Alexander Vindman
United States Army Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Alexander Vindman is a highly decorated service member and former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian Affairs for the United States National Security Council (NSC).
Vindman was brought to national attention after his actions when he testified before the United States Congress regarding the Trump–Ukraine scandal. His testimony provided evidence that resulted in a charge of abuse of power in the impeachment of 45th President Donald Trump.
Mr. Vindman will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Dr. Fiona Hill
Former U.S. National Security Council official, Fiona Hill is a British-American foreign affairs specialist and academic. Hill’s position on the council specialized in Russian and European affairs. Dr. Hill received national attention when she in November 2019 was a witness in the House hearings regarding the impeachment inquiry during the first impeachment of Donald Trump.
Additionally, Hill also was awarded her Ph.D. in history from Harvard University and currently, is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
Dr. Fiona Hill will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Ambassador (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch
American diplomat and senior member of the United States Foreign Service. Ambassador Yovanovitch has a remarkable career working as a representative of the United States into countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and the Ukraine. Yovanovitch was also a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment trial.
Ambassador Yovanovitch will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Clarissa Ward
Ward accomplished American television journalist and chief international correspondent for CNN. Ward over the years has reported on some of the biggest international events over the past decade. Holding a degree from Yale University, Ward also holds an honorary doctor of letters degree from Middlebury College.
Before taking on her role for CNN, Ward had formerly worked with CBS News, based in London. As well as previously also being the Moscow-based news correspondent for ABC News.
Clarissa Ward will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Courage for Journalism.
Ken Burns
Ken Burns and his collaborators have produced and directed some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made. A renowned and prolific American filmmaker, Burns is known for using archival footage and photographs in his films, which often showcase major events in U.S. history.
Mr. Burns will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Public Integrity, which highlights his exceptional commitment to honesty, truth, and storytelling.
Photo Credit:Evan Barlow
(Ret.) Senator Bob Corker
An American businessman and politician the Honorable Bob Corker served as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 2007 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2015 to 2019.
Senator Corker will be receiving the American Spirit Award for Public Service.
"RNC Post-Convention Roundup" with Dan Rather, Margaret Hoover, & Alex Castellanos
Join The Common Good as we breakdown the past four day Republican National Convention. Brilliant political experts and commentators Dan Rather, Margaret Hoover, and Alex Castellanos discuss the RNC and what occurred.
Join The Common Good as we breakdown the past four day Republican National Convention. Brilliant political experts and commentators Dan Rather, Margaret Hoover, and Alex Castellanos discuss the RNC and what occurred.
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The Common Good Forum & American Spirit Awards, 2019
The Common Good Forum is an annual program presenting headline issues and the most important, forward-looking ideas affecting public policy and our lives. This year we built a remarkable roster for our annual event, with 30+ participants from government, media, business, foreign affairs and tech, as well as public policy activists…
The Common Good Forum is an annual program presenting headline issues and the most important, forward-looking ideas affecting public policy and our lives. This year we built a remarkable roster for our annual event, with 30+ participants from government, media, business, foreign affairs and tech, as well as public policy activists.
Our theme this year was
“Rethinking the Democracy Compact”
The very foundations of our nation and the global order have shifted: institutions and gatekeepers are bypassed, societal norms are reorienting and governments are being rearranged - for better or worse. What drives these changes? How do they impact our democracy’s future? Most importantly, how can we harness them?
We presented fascinating discussions on the global transformations underway – greatest international threats and changes from new geopolitical escalations and vacuums; national challenges and our inability to confront our biggest transformations from broken government to gross economic disparities and climate change; growing a vibrant economy and jobs for today and tomorrow; the high-tech and social media revolution and its dangers and opportunities; our shifting political realities, the 2020 race and the impact of activism, immigration, populism, and identity; Fake news and pressure on journalism and freedom of the press here abroad; new scientific and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and gene editing – in short, configuring anew for a society that is human-centred, inclusive and sustainable.
Agenda:
Welcome
Patricia Duff, Founder, The Common Good
Smithsonian Briefing: “The Future of the Women’s Museum”
Emily Rafferty, Karri Brady and Wendy Pangburn
Changemaker Scholarships
Jamie Margolin, age 17 and Alexandria Villaseñor, age 13. Presented by ABC’s Juju Chang and Sharon Patrick
Women & Power
Kay Koplovitz, Mia Love, Sally Quinn, and Alessandra Stanley. Moderated by Juju Chang
The Road to 2020: Leaders & Ideas
Matt Bennett, Margaret Hoover, Steve Israel, Claire McCaskill, and Rick Tyler. Moderated by Errol Louis.
Can’t We All Just Get Along? How Washington Can Best Serve the Nation”
Renewing Democracy
Max Boot, Nicole Austin-Hillery, Cohen Curtis, and Michael Waldman. Moderated by Ari Melber
Growing a Fair Economy
Alan Schwartz and Stephanie Ruhle
Artificial Intelligence & Warfare
Major General (Ret.) Dr. Robert Latiff
World View: Security Challenges & Opportunities
Ambassador Bill Burns, Ambassador Nicholas Burns and Former Congressman Jane Harman. Moderated by Edward Luce
Rule of Law, Corruption, and Abuse of Power
Bill Browder and Preet Bharara. Moderated by John Avlon
Journalism & Democracy
Tom Brokaw, Lesley Stahl, and Sir Harry Evans
Citizen Activism & TRIBUTE TO robert f. kennedy
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
American Spirit Awardees
Sir Harry Evans
Courage in Journalism
Lesley Stahl
Courage in Journalism
Preet Bharara
Distinguished Public Service
Bill Browder
Citizen Activism
Changemaker Scholarship Recipients
Jamie Margolin
Climate Change Action
Alexandria Villasenor
Climate Change Action
Interested in attending future events?
The Common Good has been hosting events since 2006 that cover important issues of today, highlighting speakers who have worked to bolster our democracy and can provide great insight on the issues that matter.