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Notre Dame’s Catholic mission calls us to put hope into action in all we do as a sign of our faith in God’s promise of the resurrection, and in imitation of Mary, Mother of God and model of hope.
Funding from the Cavanaugh Council and President's Circle provides the essential resources for Notre Dame to respond with hope, courage, and compassion across campus, in our local community, and around the world so all can flourish in light of their human dignity.
As part of these efforts, the University convened crucial conversations through the 2025–26 Notre Dame Forum, centered on the theme "Cultivating Hope", and the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative. These two platforms allowed the University to lead dialogues in key areas of importance, including the Catholic Church and national discourse, leadership and global stability, and the promotion of bipartisanship as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
“Notre Dame must continue to be a place where we encourage debate, transcend divisions, and model the respectful, rigorous discourse we hope to see.”
Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.
President, University of Notre Dame
“Healing Our National Dialogue and Political Life”
“Healing Our National Dialogue and Political Life”
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, Archbishop of Washington, DC
Much of our national political discourse is characterized by dialogue that diminishes the dignity of the human person, obscures the common good, and leaves Americans increasingly entrenched, divided, and weary.
Speaking in his capacity as the Catholic Archbishop of Washington, DC, Cardinal Robert McElroy encouraged American Catholics to respond as “architects of hope”, informed by the wisdom of the Church and grounded by “that which binds us together”, transitioning from grievance to gratitude, from a mentality of warfare to shared purpose and meaning, and from insularity to compassion.
“Hope is the conviction that in our moments of greatest suffering in our lives, God will stand by us, always."
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy
Archbishop of Washington, DC
To learn more and watch the full video click here.
“Hope, Global Stability, and the Role of the United States”
“Hope, Global Stability, and the Role of the United States”
General (Ret.) Martin Dempsey
General Martin E. Dempsey, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defined a central challenge facing American military leadership – cultivating hope and trust in a complex global environment.
Dempsey encouraged leaders to set an example of respect, integrity, and courage for the servicemen and women entrusted to them. Without doing this, leaders risk the trust of those who have laid down their hopes and aspirations in service of the nation.
He advised leaders to welcome “creative friction” produced by “high-information systems”, a decision-making model he drew upon to solve complex problems and produce long-term stability and strength, rather than defaulting to military might without consideration of broad forms of US power.
To learn more and watch the full video click here.
Pragmatism Over Polarization: A Conversation with US Governors
Pragmatism Over Polarization: A Conversation with US Governors
The Notre Dame Democracy Initiative aims to establish Notre Dame as a leader in the study of democracy both in the US and worldwide, as a convener for conversations about and actions to preserve democracy, and as a model for the formation of civically engaged citizens and public servants.
Father Dowd was joined by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D- NM) and Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) to discuss bi-partisan efforts that delivered real solutions for constituents and led to landslide reelection.
Through the National Governors Association (NGA), Cox and Grisham worked together to improve housing affordability, energy independence, and the water crisis affecting both states.
"It's really hard to hate up close. Getting proximate matters–when we are having dinner together, or serving in a soup kitchen together or playing a sport together."
- Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT)
By prioritizing leadership and service to the American people, both governors navigated polarization by cultivating solutions that provided relief to both states and promoted resource-sharing and respectful dialogue.
"When I respond to an emergency, I don't know whether it's a Republican or a Democrat who's lost everything. I know I've got a New Mexican in need and it's my job to ease that burden..."
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM)
Learn more and watch the full video here.
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