The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute debuted in January with a launch party at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. And throughout 2016, the digital quarterly brought together writers, policy makers, and leaders to address a central topic, such as the meaning of freedom today, the potential of North America, and the leadership role of millennials.
They took on these issues through the pages of The Catalyst, edited by Bush Institute Editorial Director William McKenzie, as well as through regular events. Here is a look back at highlights from The Catalyst’s first year:
A CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR
President Bush and Prime Minister Blair discussed how nativism, protectionism, and isolationism can impede our capacity to prosper — and ultimately impact our freedom. Their interview was conducted in the teacher’s lounge at Little Rock’s historic Central High School before they joined President Bill Clinton and surviving members of the Little Rock Nine to address Presidential Leadership Scholar graduates. Read full article
PRESIDENT FELIPE CALDERÓN ON NORTH AMERICA’S FUTURE
Mexico’s former president spoke with The Catalyst from his office in Mexico City, where he shared his earliest recollections of the United States and Canada. He also touched upon the potential growth of North America and the dangers of isolationist pressures. Read full article.
MARK CUBAN ON LEADERSHIP
The Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank star explained in the inaugural Catalyst why leaders understand that change presents an opportunity to lead. Change is inevitable, Cuban wrote, but leaders ask whether they will be the person to create, integrate, or enable that change into their lives, their companies, and their country. Read full article.
KRISTEN SOLTIS ANDERSON ON MILLENNIALS AS THE DRIVERS OF CHANGE
The author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up) explained in a Catalyst interview the impact millennials are having on economics, politics, and culture. Anderson believes the next generation is about more than selfies. They’re not beholden to partisan lines and they expect data-driven and responsive government. Read full article.
PAUL TAYLOR ON WHY IT’S A MILLENNIAL WORLD NOW
Taylor, author of The Next America: Boomers, Millennials and the Looming Generational Showdown, outlines the 12 things all Americans need to know about “the next generation.” He takes his experience as former executive vice president of the Pew Research Center to look beyond the headlines to see what the data says about a generation that is destined to leave a large imprint on the world. Read full article.
Bush Institute Experts and Using Digital Tools
In each edition, The Catalyst drew upon such Bush Institute experts as Ken Hersh, Holly Kuzmich, Miguel Howe, Amanda Schnetzer, Matthew Rooney, Brittney Bain, and Andrew Kaufmann to explain the world. We also looked for creative ways to present ideas and opinions. Highlights included video interviews with such figures as newsman Jim Lehrer, Dallas elementary school principal Dionel Waters, and political strategist Mark McKinnon.
