‘The world has never been healthier, wealthier or less violent’, according to Obama

According to Barack Obama, “if you had to choose any moment in history in which to be born, you would choose right now”.

Despite the seemingly never-ending recent challenges, according to the former US President, there has never been a better time to be alive.

Speaking at the Lincoln Center in Manhattan, Obama told a crowd of comedians, innovators, royalty, musicians and activists that despite “extraordinary challenges”, The world has never been healthier, or wealthier, or better educated or in many ways more tolerant or less violent,”

Obama told the crowd, who had gathered for an event for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to reject cynicism.

“Not blind optimism, but hard-earned optimism, rooted in very real progress,” he said.

Comedian Trevor Noah carried on the theme of positivity and optimism when he took to the stage.

“I don’t know how to feel about him. He’s a paradox for me. I know that every day he’s going to make me laugh,” he said. “It’s like there’s a giant asteroid heading to earth, but it’s shaped like a penis. I know I’m going to die, but I’m going to laugh.”

The foundation is hoping to increase funding to meet the 17 sustainable development goals as Trump proposed cuts to the US aid budget.

Last year, the foundation announced $80 million to reduce global inequalities.

Last week the foundation announced that $20 million will go towards local women’s groups, who are the force for lasting change.

“Often under the radar, women’s movements have been forging and winning campaigns for a better, more equal future for a very long time. You won’t hear much about these women’s movements over in the UN. [The work] has been largely unrecognised and largely under-resourced. That’s slowly beginning to change.” said Melinda.