Former Prime Minister of Canada gives his opening address at World Knowledge Forum
2025 New Odyssey in Seoul. Sept 9,2025 IPosted by Anucha Mum on Monday, September 8, 2025 Article content
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In his speech titled “Leadership and Resilience in a Time of Transition,” the 23rd prime minister of Canada warned against an increasing number of autocracies globally, noting that they outnumbered democratic nations in 2024 “for the first time in a very long time.”
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“The pace of change in our world is destabilizing,” ANI reports.
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Earlier this year, the University of Gothenburg’s V-Dem Institute counted 91 autocracies to 88 democracies in its annual report.
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Inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, the theme of this year’s forum was “New Odyssey: Navigating the Great Transition.”
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Despite the grim take, Trudeau urged optimism, saying the future depends on “communities of good people.”
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”To navigate the transition, resilience should be in the middle of it,” he said, as reported by the Manila Bulletin.
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“We need every single person to be part of the resilient communities, societies, and systems.”
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Trudeau spoke admiringly of the host nation and the strength of its democracy in the wake of a period of destabilization that began when former president Yoon Suk-yeol tried to impose martial law in December.
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The constitutional crisis led to his impeachment and a snap election in June brought into power former opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who has enacted reforms to limit executive overreach.
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“Thank you for showing us how to fight for democracy at a time when too many around the world are taking it for granted,” Trudeau said, as reported ANI.
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According to MAEIL Business Newspaper, the title sponsor for this year’s forum, the 53-year-old was met with “a flood” of people hoping to take selfies with him.
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Trudeau also took part in a one-on-one dialogue with provincial governor Lee Cheol-woo “to explore how Asia-Pacific partnerships can advance inclusive and sustainable prosperity amid rapid global change.”
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Cheol-woo is hosting this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November.
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Trudeau’s appearance comes after a summer of travelling with his three children — with separate trips to Switzerland, Italy and western Canada — and a highly-publicized dinner with pop star Katy Perry.
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