CGI U. – Helping young people “tackle tomorrow’s challenges today”

“People are inherently generous…and…the only thing most of us are looking for is an opportunity to make a difference.” Realizing that many citizens of our increasingly globalized world share this sentiment, former U.S. President William J. Clinton has provided a unique opportunity for individuals to join one another in achieving their goal of making a difference. With the establishment of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U.), the Clinton Foundation has created a space for university students, faculty, and citizens of the world to come together to share service projects and learn new ways of taking action within their communities.

The Clinton Global Initiative University was created as an extension of the Clinton Global Initiative to bring together socially responsible students from various universities to discover ways in which they can face challenges of the world today. In his article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Clinton introduced CGI U. as a way for students to transform “awareness into action.” Through CGI U., students can engage in dialogues with social entrepreneurs, directors of nonprofit organizations, academics, activists and philanthropists to discuss issues regarding poverty and hunger, public health, climate change, education, and human rights. Participants of CGI U. forge lasting connections with individuals and organizations committed to improving their campus communities, local communities, and communities around the world.

The third annual CGI U. Meeting will be hosted April 16-18, 2010 by the University of Miami. Based on their exceptional Commitments to Action, approximately 1,500 students and university representatives have been invited to attend the event. Over the course of three days, members of CGI U. will participate in strategic planning sessions, skill development workshops, and presentations addressing various global challenges. The meeting will conclude with a participant-wide service project, putting skills learned throughout the conference into action.

By providing this opportunity for members of the higher education community, President Clinton hopes that he and his colleagues, who have “more yesterdays than tomorrows[,] can help…cultivat[e] the talent, creativity, and energy of young people and help…focus them on making a difference in the lives of others.” By working with leaders of today, university students learn how they can make an impact on today’s society as well as how they will confront issues as leaders of tomorrow.

To learn more about how you can make your own Commitment to Action, please visit CGI U.’s website. Applications for the 2010 CGI U. Outstanding Commitments Awards are now available. The final deadline is April 23, 2010.