Six quotes President Obama hopes will inspire you

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ObamaImage source, Getty Images

President Obama might be leaving office in nine months but he says he doesn't want young people to ever give up fighting for the things they care about.

Newsbeat went with five young people from BBC Generation 2016 to a Q&A with President Obama in London.

His message to them, and the hundreds of others listening, was intended to be inspirational.

Here are his main points.

Image source, Getty Images

'Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man, and man can be as big as we want.'

Quoting former leader JF Kennedy, Obama's message was to be optimistic.

He seemed to suggest that no matter how dark and upsetting the things on news are, if we pull together we can find a way forward.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Looks like the President gets his own coffee cup

'This world, for all of its travails, for all of its challenges, has never been healthier, better-educated, wealthier, more tolerant, less violent, more attentive to the rights of all people, than it is today.'

Some people on social media reacted negatively to this, saying it was easy for a president to say and that a lot of people in the world were still suffering.

However, Obama went on to say that he wasn't saying there were no problems left to be solved, and that this progress was not a reason to sit back and do nothing.

Image source, Getty Images

'Reject the notion we're surrounded by forces we cannot control. You've never had better tools to make a difference, to forge a better UK, a better Europe, a better world.'

Whilst clearly a call to inspire young people, it has been read by some, external as a way of reassuring Eurosceptics that they don't need to be worried about losing control if they stay in the EU.

Image source, Getty Images

'Your capacity to shape this world is unmatched.'

Image source, Getty Images

Some of Obama's answers focussed on how young people could campaign effectively to highlight issues to those in power.

He said the Black Lives Matter campaign had been successful at putting a spotlight on inequalities within the justice system in the US but warned against "yelling at people" once you already had their attention.

He added: "You can't refuse to meet because that might compromise the purity of your position" and said campaigners must "occasionally take half a loaf."

Image source, Getty Images

'If any of you begin to work on an issue that you care deeply about, don't be disappointed if a year out things haven't been completely solved.'

He said that progress was sometimes a long term project and that people must not give up.

'Seek out people who don't agree with you. It will teach you to compromise. It will also help you if you get married.'

This one got a laugh. He went on to say that "compromise does not mean surrendering what you believe".

'Ask yourself - how can I make the people around me do great things?'

Obama was asked about the most important skills to have as a world leader. He joked "having a thick skin" was pretty useful.

What did you learn from hearing Obama speak?

The five people who went along to the town hall were impressed with President Obama's delivery, even if they didn't agree with everything he said.

Mahomed from Leicester

"The one memory I will take away is the way he interacts with people, and I'll be using that as a basis for my future interactions. He came across as passionate, and he had a relaxed demeanour, something to behold considering his position."

Chezzi from Essex

"He doesn't make you feel like you're less because of his status. If even you completely disregard his political views, the way he speaks and the way he knows his audience, there's definitely something to be learnt from that."

Jamie-Lee, 16, from Glasgow

"He's so inspirational."

Michael, 21, from Cardiff

"It was quite inspirational hearing him speak about our generation and how it is going to be up to us to solve these world problems. He really engages well with young people."

Caolan from Co. Fermanagh

"I was expecting him to be pretty polished and he was. He engages really well and there was no distance between himself and the audience. He gave the impression he had time to spare on the people in the room and I think that's been a huge part of his success as president."

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