Robert Redford: The world is chaotic

Robert Redford believes the world is “pretty chaotic” right now.

The 78-year-old actor-and-director was a guest speaker at Maine’s Colby College on Sunday, where he delivered a speech during the 194th commencement ceremony to the university’s newest graduates.

And in his time at the podium, Robert encouraged the audience to battle society’s challenges head-on.

"You're stepping into a world that's, well, pretty rough. It's pretty chaotic, pretty divisive," the star said, according to Colby College News. "You've got climate change, you've got debt, you've got wars, you've got political paralysis. It's kind of a grim story. But the story, I think, can be retold, and I really believe that you're the ones to do it.

"Don't be afraid to take a risk, don't be afraid of failure, be bold.”

Robert, who received an honorary fine art doctorate from the institution, also noted in his speech he thinks the world is missing “collaboration and connection”.

But the upbeat thespian has faith in the younger generation’s ability to unite fractious elements of the collective.

“This school has provided you with the tools and it’s provided you with the history … to go out in the world and make a difference,” he implored.

Robert won his first Academy Award in 1981 for directing Ordinary People. He followed this up with a Lifetime Achievement Oscar in 2002. He also launched the independent film festival Sundance in 1978.

Robert is no stranger to stepping into the unknown and he does not regret doing so.

"I've always been a chance taker," he explained to America's Esquire previously. "I think not taking a risk is a risk. And most people [growing up] were critical of that. [But my mom] wasn't."