Pace Press

Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News

Former President Bill Clinton spoke with representatives from the student press to discuss the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an effort established to tackle global problems and find working solutions. As part of the William J. Clinton Foundation, CGI launched CGI U, which specifically encourages college students to take steps toward improving the world.

According to cgiu.org, "CGI brings together world leaders, NGOs, and the private sector to convert good intentions into meaningful action and tangible results." The Web site also said CGI has worked hard over the past three years to accumulate high-profile members who will work toward change.

Clinton spoke to students from national newspapers via an exclusive College Media Network conference call hosted by mtvU. He said he believes young people have the ability to deliver results to areas of the world in need of help. CGI U is beginning in New Orleans March 14 to March 16, where there will be a meeting uniting students and leaders to discuss global problems and possible solutions.

This inaugural meeting will include more than 500 college students nationwide in addition to university administrations, non-profit groups, entrepreneurs and leaders of every kind. Universities and colleges in attendance will be asked to make a commitment. Those who cannot participate in the kick-off meeting can make commitments online at cgiu.org. "Commitments" in this context are considered actions students or groups pledge to foster positive change or growth. CGI U supports people committed to working in the areas of global health, climate change, human rights and peace and poverty alleviation.

According to cgiu.org, an individual can promise to singularly reduce personal carbon emissions, while student groups may, for example, choose to reduce those emissions from their dormitories.

Clinton chose New Orleans for the location of the inaugural meeting because it is connected to CGI U's general humanitarian goals following Hurricane Katrina. Tulane University, located in New Orleans, will be hosting the meeting, due to the fact that it was one of the first schools to require community service from their students.

cgiu.org offers ideas regarding ways to help your community, which Clinton also spoke of during the College Media Network conference call.

Some energy and climate change commitment ideas include starting a college carpooling program, initiating a tree planting campaign on campus or instating a green-initiative fund that would later make green purchases for universities.

Global health commitments include sending medical kits to underprivileged areas overseas, increasing researching for neglected diseases and creating a campus preventative health center.

Human rights and peace commitments may include initiating a community mediation service, creating a student-run global debate club on campus or partnering with humanitarian organizations to provide relief and help where necessary.

In the area of poverty alleviation, law students can offer pro-bono services or create funds to help alleviate poverty or support microfinance initiatives overseas.

Students are encouraged to take part in CGI U in New Orleans by filling out an application on the Web site.

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