National Service

One Nation, Indivisible: Universal Voluntary National Service

April 21, 2017  • John Bridgeland

How can America restore its ability to solve big problems, bring young people together in common purpose across race, ethnicity, politics and religion, and heal a divided nation? Former White House Domestic Policy Director John Bridgeland shares his vision for universal voluntary national service — drawing on his experience after 9/11 and the lessons of US history.

This talk highlights America’s many experiments in national service and discusses broad nonpartisan support for AmeriCorps.

Bridgeland’s talk on universal voluntary national service, titled “One Nation, Indivisible,” was delivered at TEDxPennsylvaniaAvenue on February 9, 2017.

John Bridgeland served as director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and was the first Director of the USA Freedom Corps under President George W. Bush. He is vice chair on the board of Service Year Alliance. Previously, Bridgeland was co-chair of the Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute.