Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Clinton Global Initiative Travels to Austin, TX

January 28, 2009
Contact:
press@clintonglobalinitiative.org

Former President Clinton to Host Second Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Meeting to be held at The University of Texas at Austin, February 13-15, 2009

President Clinton will bring together over 1,000 students, nearly 100 college and university presidents, NGOs, national youth organizations, athletes, and celebrity-activists including NFL All-Star Nnamdi Asomugha, Drew Barrymore, Matthew McConaughey, Natalie Portman, Luke Russert and Morgan Spurlock

New York, NY -- Former President Bill Clinton will host the second Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Meeting February 13-15, 2009 at The University of Texas at Austin. CGI U builds on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, to engage college students and administrators to make commitments to address global issues with practical, innovative solutions.

CGI U, under sponsorship of Student Government at The University of Texas at Austin, will convene nearly 1,000 college students, approximately 100 university presidents, as well as leading non-profit organizations, social entrepreneurs, and youth leaders. Other attendees will include NFL All-Star Nnamdi Asomugha, Drew Barrymore, Matthew McConaughey, Natalie Portman, Luke Russert, and Morgan Spurlock.

Participants will discuss how student activists can make a difference around the world and each student and university in attendance is asked to make their own Commitment to Action.
Over the three day meeting, attendees will participate in forums and working sessions to brainstorm ways to make a difference. On the final day, CGI U Meeting attendees will collaborate with The University of Texas at Austin students to take part in a wide range of community service activities at the Rosewood Park and Recreation Center in East Austin.

All CGI U Meeting attendees make a
Commitment to Action – a comprehensive, formal plan of action to address a specific problem on their campus, in their community, or in another state or abroad. While a commitment is a requirement for participation at the meeting, any college student or university can make a commitment throughout the year at www.cgiu.org. Since the inaugural meeting in March 2008 at Tulane University, nearly 1,600 commitments have been made by students and universities worldwide.

What: Second Clinton Global Initiative University Meeting

Who: Former President Clinton, President William Powers Jr. of The University of Texas at Austin, Student Government President Keshav Rajagopalan of The University of Texas at Austin, over 1,000 college students, nearly 100 college and university presidents, and leaders from government, academia, and non-governmental organizations, including university administrators, social entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and prominent philanthropists.

Where: Events will be held at various locations including the following:
The University of Texas at Austin:
The Alumni Center: 2110 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712
Gregory Gymnasium: 2101 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712
Austin Convention Center: 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701
Rosewood Park and Recreational Center: 1182 North Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, TX 78702

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)


Established in 2005 by former President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 100 current and former heads of state, 14 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading global CEOs, heads of foundations and major philanthropists, directors of the most effective non-governmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,300 commitments valued at $46 billion, which have already impacted more than 200 million lives in 150 countries. Commitments made at the 2008 Annual Meeting are expected to affect almost 160 million people. CGI will hold its Fifth Anniversary Meeting from September 22-25, 2009 in New York City.
Anybody can make their own Commitment to Action at MyCommitment.org.
For more information please visit
www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Obama Stresses Community Service

President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural committee today announced a new community service initiative and website.

The "Renew America Together" initiative, asking all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities -- will launch on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Jan. 19, the day before Obama's inauguration. Obama and his family, along with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his, will take part in activities in the Washington area.

"At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. We're not just asking the American people for one day of service. We are asking you to make an ongoing commitment of your time - an hour, a weekend, whatever you can spare. Because that's how we're going to rebuild this country and meet our great challenges - together," retired General Colin Powell said in a statement.

The inaugural committee unveiled USAservice.org, a new tool to help Americans find ways to serve in their own community.It says nearly 5,000 volunteer events already have been established by nonprofits and grassroots groups across the country.