President Clinton Announces the Launch of the Clinton Global Initiative University 2013 Commitments “Bracket” Challenge

Voting begins March 25 for third annual competition of student ideas and projects from 16 colleges and universities that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges

Stephen Colbert, host and executive producer of ‘The Colbert Report’ on Comedy Central, to interview President Clinton and host closing session of the sixth annual meeting of CGI U on Saturday, April 6

New York, NY – Today, President Bill Clinton announced the launch of the third annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Commitments Challenge, a competition of ideas from college and university students in the form of a “bracket.” This year, more than 1,000 students representing more than 300 universities and 75 countries will be in attendance.

The sixth meeting of CGI U will be held at Washington University in St. Louis from April 5-7, falling on the same weekend as the NCAA “Final Four” men’s and women’s basketball championships.

“While we all pay attention to great student athletes during ‘March Madness,’ our CGI University Commitments Challenge celebrates great student ideas to address some of the world’s most pressing issues,” said President Clinton. “Whether empowering poor families in Nepal to start their own fish farms, launching an annual event for disability rights, or securing engineering apprenticeships for students who’ve dropped out of high school in Kenya, these 16 new CGI U Commitments to Action in our ‘bracket’ competition reflect the passion, potential, and problem solving skills of our next generation of leaders.”

Beginning today, the public can vote for their favorite CGI U 2013 commitment at www.cgiu.org/bracket.

Votes will be tallied and posted in real-time, and those not attending CGI U can follow the action at cgiu.org. The winning commitment will be announced at the closing plenary session of CGI U, which will feature President Clinton and Stephen Colbert on April 6 at 3:30 p.m. CDT. The session will also feature an interview with President Clinton that will be taped to air in a special CGI U-themed episode of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” during the week of April 8, as well as a Q&A session with students in attendance.

The 2013 CGI U Commitments Challenge Voting Schedule:

• The first round of voting will open today and will end Thursday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. CDT
• The quarterfinal round of voting will end Monday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m. CDT
• The semifinal round of voting will end Thursday, April 4 at 1:00 p.m. CDT
• The final round of voting will end Saturday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m. CDT

The CGI U 2013 program will feature sessions that will examine issues throughout CGI U’s five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health. The meeting will examine critical topics, such as combating prescription drug abuse among young people, what it takes to launch a business as a young entrepreneur, and how to empower the next generation of girls and women around the world. These sessions will allow students to gain further insight into today’s pressing global challenges and acquire the skills needed to make progress on their own Commitments to Action.

The full agenda for CGI U 2013 can be found at cgiu.org/meetings/2013/agenda.asp.

The student commitments being featured in the CGI U 2013 Commitments Challenge include:

Takachar: Turning Urban Waste into Value
Commitment by: Kevin Kung
School: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In 2013, Kevin Kung, a member of Engineers without Borders, committed to partner with five urban waste cooperatives that collect waste from 1,500 households in the Kibera slum in Kenya. Through this collaboration, Kung will transform the waste into affordable charcoal briquettes that can be used as cooking fuel.

The Mobile Science Lab: Toys from Trash
Commitment by: Prachiti Dalvi and Pranali Dalvi
School: Duke University

In 2013, Prachiti Dalvi and Pranali Dalvi committed to help primary school students build scientific models and conduct hands-on experiments using local scrap materials through Mobile Science Lab. They hope to make science education more accessible to children in their birth city of Mumbai.

Water Tower Construction and Clean Water Education in More Tomorrow, Belize Commitment by: Cody LaBarber; Zach Bever; Jake Pitts; Courtney Hill
School: University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

In 2013, Cody LaBarber, Zach Bever Jake Pitts, and Courtney Hill committed to build a water tower that will provide clean water to the village of More Tomorrow, Belize by the end of the year. After construction is complete, they will train the local residents to properly use and maintain the tower.

The Chester Sound
Commitment by: Kassandra Sparks and Trip Lenahan
School: Swarthmore College

In 2013, Kassandra Sparks and Trip Lenahan committed to create the Chester Sound, a hip-hop music education program that pairs Swarthmore College students with youth from Chester, Pa., a neighboring city that suffers from high rates of poverty and violence. Throughout the semester, college students will bring the youth to Swarthmore’s state of the art recording studio, where they will work together towards the creation of their own album.

Sustainability Village Project
Commitment by: Christophe Fatton; Omar Cossio; Shaquana Jackson; Sandy Mathurin
School: Johnson C. Smith University

In 2013, Christophe Fatton, Omar Cossio, Shaquana Jackson, and Sandy Mathurin committed to introduce sustainable farming techniques at a community garden in Charlotte, N.C. that will serve as an agricultural model for communities in Haiti. Fatton, the group leader and a Haitian citizen, hopes the project will help his home country recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake.

Compost Methods to Improve Soil Fertility
Commitment by: Glenda Alfaro
School: Mount Hood Community College

In 2013, Glenda Alfaro committed to replenish nutrient-poor soil and stimulate agricultural production through composting in Jardins de la Nueva, El Salvador. In November 2013, she will distribute composting bins to 12 families and teach them the basic procedures for composting at home, bringing her knowledge of environmental technology to her native country.

Education Re-engineered
Commitment by: Beatrice Mwonga and Halima Olapade
School: Drexel University

In 2013, Beatrice Mwonga and Halima Olapade committed to connect high school dropouts in Kenya with apprenticeships at local companies, with the goal of matching five young people and five companies in the first year. Born and raised in Africa, both Mwonga and Olapade believe that offering young people apprenticeships will help offset the growing income divide across the continent.

DREAMzone
Commitment by: Davier Rodriguez
School: Arizona State University

In 2013, Davier Rodriguez committed to establish a national network of allies that will support undocumented students, offering a four-hour ally certification course that breaks down preconceived notions of undocumented students and educates participants on federal, state, and local challenges. As a first-generation college student and the son of Cuban immigrants, he hopes to increase access and support for undocumented students in Arizona.

BlocPower
Commitment by: Donnel Baird
School: Columbia University

In 2013, Donnel Baird committed to market and finance energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits to 1,000 churches, charter schools, small businesses, and other non-profits in American inner cities, and hire local low-income unemployed residents to do the job. Baird’s program will address both the threat of climate change and high unemployment rates in inner cities.

UPleaft
Commitment by: Maria Claudia Sarta Herrera, Jessica Troiano, and Elizabeth Kelly
School: New York University

In 2013, Maria Claudia Sarta Herrera, Jessica Troiano, and Elizabeth Kelly committed to create an all-natural beverage company, UPleaft, to generate income for farmers in Colombia and give consumers a healthier alternative to traditional high-sugar soft drinks. The company will establish partnerships with urban and rural smallholder farmers to create a sustainable income source. Additionally, they hope to mobilize members of the community to train farmers in eco-friendly farming, harvesting, and processing techniques, as well as provide them with access to financial services.

Disability Rights as Human Rights
Commitment by: Kristin Duquette, Sean Snyder, and Charley Wedeen
School: Trinity College

In 2013, Kristin Duquette, Sean Snyder, and Charley Wedeen committed to develop “Disability Rights as Human Rights,” a program that will promote a broader understanding of disabled experiences. The group plans to launch a program called “A Day in a Wheelchair,” asking able-bodied students to use wheelchairs for 12-48 hour periods, and expect the program to spark a discussion regarding rights for those with disabilities.

Plan D
Commitment by: Salman Hirani and Zishan Hirani
School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

In 2013, Salman Hirani and Zishan Hirani committed to create Plan D, a dermatological pathology app that analyzes abnormal growths, moles, and discolorations on the skin. Using this information, they will compare images to a database of clinically diagnosed skin malignancies and provide users with a breakdown of potential diagnoses, as well as a list of local physicians.

KHE Project
Commitment by: Emily Santos, Krupa Desai, and Henry Osman
School: Washington University in St. Louis

In 2013, Emily Santos, Krupa Desai, Henry Osman committed to create the KHE Project, a text-message based hotline to address the ongoing issue of gender violence in South Africa. Specifically, the KHE Project will connect victims of rape and sexual assault with counseling resources and educational materials, while preserving the anonymity of its users and taking advantage of the widespread use of mobile phones in South Africa.

Sustainable Engineering Solutions
Commitment by: Malini Kannan, Kyle Wilson, and Brian Li Kam Wah
School: University of California, San Diego

In 2013, Malini Kannan, Kyle Wilson, and Brian Li Kam Wah, a team of engineering students from UC San Diego, committed to work with faculty and partner organizations to provide rural residents in the Philippines with locally-sourced engineering solutions to improve their quality of life. Specifically, they will create portable ceramic water filters to increase access to potable water, design a charging circuit that will allow residents to use a solar panel and battery powered LEDs, and construct hurricane straps that will increase safety and eliminate damage done to local homes by typhoons.

Renewable Energy for Development and Sustainability
Commitment by: Daniel Sopdie, Aseya Kakar, and Linda Nkosi
School: Wartburg College

In 2013, Daniel Sopdie, Aseya Kakar, and Linda Nkosi committed to build a biogas digester that converts animal and plant waste into gas for a refugee camp in Mpaka, Swaziland. By creating an alternative gas that can be used for cooking, heating, and lighting, the group hopes to improve daily standards of living, increase the capacity of the youth to learn, and enable the Mpaka community to be more sustainable through the reduction of deforestation.

Sustainable Fish Farming Project
Commitment by: Kanchan Amatya
School: University of Oklahoma

In 2013, Kanchan Amatya committed to create the Sustainable Fish Farming Project, a microfinance initiative that will provide 500 families in Nepal with funding to start their own fish farms. By providing loans to villagers at a five percent interest rate, partnering with local NGOs to provide trainings on fish farming techniques, and using existing ponds and rice paddies in the region, Amatya hopes to build an enterprise that will bring both financial and nutritional stability to Nepal.

View and share session webcasts from CGI U 2013 by visiting: http://www.cgiu.org. Follow us on Twitter at @CGIU and @ClintonGlobal or on Facebook at Facebook.com/CGIUniversity for meeting news and highlights. The event hashtag is #CGIU.

Press registration is now open to members of the media. To apply, please complete the form at: cgilink.org/YE3ZA5.

The deadline to apply for press credentials is Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. ET. Journalists may apply for credentials on-site, but pre-registered media will be given priority. For questions about press registration, please email press@clintonglobalinitiative.org.

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About CGI U
The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) brings together college students to address global challenges with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U participants do more than simply discuss problems – they take concrete steps to solve them by creating action plans, building relationships, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. Previous CGI U meetings have taken place at Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami, the University of California at San Diego, and the George Washington University, and have convened more than 4,500 students from nearly 750 schools, more than 130 countries, and all 50 states. To learn more, visit cgiu.org.

About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date, CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $73.5 billion.

About Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 120 nations. The total student body is nearly 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The approximately 3,400 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. Twenty-three Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there. The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

Chopin Vodka - the Perfect Gift

 

I was the recipient of several bottles of Chopin Vodka last night at my New York housewarming.  It is smooth and delicious.  There was a wonderful assortment of flavors potato, rye and wheat.  Their new double chocolate liqueur is called Dorda,  It’s wonderful on its own and especially good when mixed with Chopin's three different Vodka flavors.

          

Check out their site: http://www.chopinvodka.com/chopin_vodka_luxury_rye_potato_home



Chopin Vodka has mastered the art of vodka. Just as its namesake captured the soul of Poland in music that resonates across oceans and generations, Chopin Vodka has composed a singular Polish spirit that has changed the way the world thinks about, and drinks, vodka.

Family-owned in the Podlasie region of Poland, Chopin is one of the few vodka producers to distill its own spirits. A small team shepherds its product from farm to bottle under the watchful eye of Chopin’s inventor and master distiller, whose signature is on every bottle. From the integrity of its naturally grown ingredients to its pride of process, Chopin Vodka stands alone among premium brands.

New York's GLBT Expo

The Budweiser Booth was the most popular with free Bud Light and great bartenders!

We covered the 20th Anniversary of the GLBT Expo at the Javits Center in New York. A loyal sponsors/exhibitors/attendees once again supported the EXPO and the dedicated staff at The RDP Group put on the amazing two day event.

For the past 20 years, the EXPO has helped to present the finest products & services available to the GLBT consumer. Starting in 1993, the EXPO has generated over $80,000,000 of dollars spent within the Greater Tri-State area. This includes the GLBT friendly companies from every industry, both large and small, Fortune 1000 and Gay-owned companies. They have all discovered the GLBT Community is affluent, brand-loyal, well-educated and business minded. It is the truest of definition of "THE PERFECT NICHE MARKET".

President Clinton to travel to Haiti with Agricultural Investment Delegation

New York, NY – President Bill Clinton will be in Haiti on March 10^th and 11^th with an Agricultural Investment Delegation to visit sites highlighting Haiti’s agricultural sector and make grant announcements.


On the morning of March 10^th, President Clinton will travel to the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA) site in Gonaives, where he will tour the site. His visit will be open press.

In the afternoon, President Clinton will travel to the North Coast Development building, where he will tour the central building and surrounding fields. Later, he will visit Zamni Agricole and Agriculture School in Corporant and make an announcement. Both of these visits will be open press.

On the morning of March 11, President Clinton will travel to Café Rebo, where he will tour the coffee processing plant. Later, he will visit the Sisal Co building, and then the Heineken/Brahna Brewery in Port-Au-Prince, where he will make an announcement. All three visits will be open press.

The Clinton Foundation will provide a bus service to reporters from Port-au-Prince around Haiti for the Zamni Agricole visit on Sunday, March 10th, and all site visits on Monday, March 11th. If you have an interest in covering the events and taking our transportation, please reply to press@clintonfoundation.org with your name and outlet.

President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton Announce Program and More than $400K in Funding for Student Commitment-makers at Sixth Meeting of Clinton Global Initiative University

Chelsea Clinton, board member, William J. Clinton Foundation; Stephen Colbert, host and executive producer of ‘The Colbert Report’ on Comedy Central; Hawa Abdi Diblawe, founder, the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation; Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO, Square, Inc.; co-founder and executive chairman, Twitter, Inc.; Salman Khan, founder and executive director, Khan Academy; Sally Madsen, design lead, IDEO; Sara Minkara, president and founder, Empowerment Through Integration; Zainab Salbi, writer and producer, Nida’s Alnissa Productions; founder, Women for Women International; Jada Pinkett Smith, actress and advocate, Don’t Sell Bodies; Brendan Tuohey, co-founder and executive director, PeacePlayers International; William Ury, co-author of ‘Getting to Yes’ and co-founder, Harvard Program on Negotiation; Gary White, co-founder and CEO, Water.org; Jake Wood, co-founder and president, Team Rubicon; and Muhammad Yunus, chairman, the Yunus Centre, among the participants to speak on pressing global challenges at CGI U 2013, to be held April 5-7 at Washington University in St. Louis

33 colleges and universities join newly established CGI University Network to provide seed money for leading student commitment-makers

NEW YORK – Today President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton announced the program and featured participants for the sixth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) to be held at Washington University in St. Louis April 5-7. CGI U will bring together more than 1,000 college students with innovators, thought leaders, and civically engaged celebrities to make Commitments to Action to address the most pressing challenges facing their campuses and communities in areas such as education, environment and climate change, human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.

More than $400,000 in funding will be available for students to carry out their commitments made at CGI U, primarily through the newly established CGI University Network of 33 colleges and universities that have committed to support, mentor, and provide seed funding to student innovators and entrepreneurs from their respective schools.

“The schools that have joined the CGI University Network are supporting student commitment-makers to create positive change across the globe,” said President Clinton. “This year, CGI U will bring together more than 1,000 college students representing all 50 states and six continents to explore concrete ways to build a better tomorrow. I look forward to working with the young leaders who come to Washington University in St. Louis this April with their enthusiasm and their ideas.”

“It’s inspiring to witness the power of CGI U students, whose energy, ideas, optimism and determination continually expand the possibilities for public service,” said Chelsea Clinton, who serves on the board of the Clinton Foundation. “By joining an extraordinary community of young people, thought leaders, and experienced entrepreneurs, students attending CGI U 2013 will have the opportunity to make real contributions and forge connections that last a lifetime.”

Washington University in St. Louis was chosen to host this year's CGI U because it is recognized as an international leader in preparing young people to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

This year’s program will address issues throughout CGI U’s five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health through sessions including:

• Getting off the Ground: Stories of Starting Up, in which a panel of budding and veteran entrepreneurs will share their stories, setbacks, and key lessons learned from their own experiences of launching a business or organization;
• A Better Future for Girls and Women: Empowering the Next Generation, which will bring together practitioners and pioneers to explore the tangible ways in which young people can continue to build a better future for girls and women around the world; and
• Solutions without Borders: Working with Unlikely Allies, will convene notable entrepreneurs and policymakers who are proving the necessity of cooperation over conflict.

For the complete schedule, visit cgiu.org/meetings/2013/agenda.asp.

Featured participants for CGI U 2013 announced today include Zafar Adeel, director, UNU-INWEH; Will Allen, chief executive officer, Growing Power; Chelsea Clinton, board member, William J. Clinton Foundation; Shabana Basij-Rasikh, managing director, School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA); Michael Botticelli, deputy director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Edward Breslin, chief executive officer, Water for People; Lora Brown, physician, the Pain Truth: Wake Up!; Gemma Bulos, director, Global Women’s Water Initiative; Clara Chow, president and chief executive officer, Generation Enterprise; Stephen Colbert, host and executive producer of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central; Bita Correa, coordinator, PSA Program, FUNDAEC; David Deluca, head of campaigns, DoSomething.org; Hawa Abdi Diblawe, founder, the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation; Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO, Square, Inc.; co-founder and executive chairman, Twitter, Inc.; Myles Estey, senior editor, Makeshift Magazine; Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor of the City of Gary, Indiana; Eden Full, founder, Roseicollis Technologies, Inc.; Tyler Gage, chief executive officer, Runa LLC; Kumar Garg, senior advisor, White House Office of Science and Technology; Wendy Hanamura, chief project development officer, KCETLINK; Aaron Hurst, president and founder, Taproot Foundation; Emily Jacobi, co-founder and executive director, Digital Democracy; Jeremy Johnson, president of undergraduate programs, 2U; William Kamkwamba, inventor and writer, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope”; Sarah Kendzior, writer, Al Jazeera English; Salman Khan, founder and executive director, Khan Academy; Brij Kothari, founder and president, PlanetRead; Sally Madsen, design lead, IDEO; Michael Mazgaonkar, co-founder, Mozda Collective; Sara Minkara, president and founder, Empowerment Through Integration; Andrea Moore, team member, Google Online Marketing Challenge Program; Mark Nager, chief executive officer, Startup Weekend; Preeta Nayak, manager, Leading for Impact; The Bridgespan Group; Sarah Nerad, co-founder, PTR Associates; Matthew Perry, actor; Jada Pinkett Smith, actress and advocate, Don’t Sell Bodies; Shai Reshef, president, University of the People; Andrew Revkin, reporter, Dot Earth Blog, The New York Times; Jeannette Richardson-Baars, director, Aruba Police Academy; national coordinator, Anti Human Trafficking and Smuggling; Zainab Salbi, writer and producer, Nida’s Alnissa Productions; founder, Women for Women International; Michael Sherraden, founding director, Center for Social Development, Washington University; Christine Schindler, undergraduate, Duke University; Tyler Spencer, founder and CEO, the Grassroot Project; Annis Stubbs, executive director, Teach for America-Detroit; Amy Sun, president and co-founder, Fab Folk; Sebastien Tilmans, co-founder, re.source and Ph.D. candidate, Stanford University; Brendan Tuohey, co-founder and executive director, PeacePlayers International; William Ury, co-author of “Getting to Yes” and co-founder, Harvard Program on Negotiation; Dan Viederman, chief executive officer, Verite; Evans Wadongo, founder and executive director, Sustainable Development for All-Kenya; Alex Wagner, host, “NOW with Alex Wagner,” MSNBC; Gary White, co-founder and CEO, Water.org; Jake Wood, co-founder and president, Team Rubicon; and Muhammad Yunus, chairman, the Yunus Centre.

CGI University Network schools have agreed to provide more than $300,000 in total funding to CGI U student commitment-makers. Schools that have joined the CGI University Network to date include Alverno College; Arizona State University; Avicenne Private Business School; Babson College; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Brown University; the College of William and Mary; Cornell University; Duke University; Johnson C. Smith University; Middlebury College; Northeastern University; Rollins College; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; St. Cloud State University; Simmons College; Southern Methodist University; The New School / Parsons The New School for Design; the Ohio State University; the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy; Tufts University; Tuskegee University; University of Arkansas, Clinton School of Public Service; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, San Diego; University of Delaware; University of Houston; University of Miami; University of the Pacific; Washington University in St. Louis; Westfield State University; and Widener University.

In addition, the Resolution Project is offering $100,000 in seed funding for CGI U 2013 students through the Resolution Social Venture Challenge, a competition designed to support student-launched social ventures that are sustainable and have a measurable impact. Students selected to compete in the Social Venture Challenge will exhibit their commitments at CGI U and have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. Winners will be announced at the end of the CGI U meeting.

CGI U, Net Impact, and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation launched the Up to Us Competition to increase financial awareness among young people. From Jan. 21 – March 1, 11 teams of CGI U participants campaigned to educate and engage their campuses on America’s debt crisis and how it will impact their future. A $10,000 cash prize will go to the team with the winning campaign, to be announced at CGI U. The Up to Us Competition judges include Chelsea Clinton; former White House Chief of Staff and former Co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Erskine Bowles; former U.S. Senator and former Co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Alan Simpson; and anchor of ABC's “This Week” and “Good Morning America” George Stephanopoulos.

Building on the Clinton Global Initiative’s successful model of convening Fortune 500 CEOs, heads of state, the most effective NGOs, and civil society to address the world’s most pressing challenges, President Clinton launched CGI U to engage the next generation of leaders from around the world. As with participants at all CGI meetings, CGI U students must make a Commitment to Action: a new, specific, and measurable student initiative that addresses a pressing challenge on campus or beyond.

In the past five years, more than 4,500 young leaders have attended CGI U, including Harvard University student Jessica Matthews. Matthews has won awards from TED, Popular Mechanics, and was featured in a Best Buy ad for her 2009 commitment, SOCCKET, a soccer ball that doubles as an eco-friendly generator for people in resource-poor regions. With just 30 minutes of play, SOCCKET captures enough energy of motion to power at least three hours of light, run a variety of small appliances, or charge batteries.

In 2009, Dartmouth College student Ashifi Gogo’s commitment to use text messaging to combat the proliferation of counterfeit drugs in the developing world led to Sproxil, a social business that has raised more than $1.8 million and secured clients such as Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Johnson & Johnson.

In 2011, attending CGI U allowed University of California, Santa Barbara student Ryland King to increase the capacity of his organization, Sprout Up, founded in 2009 to empower and educate youth on environmental issues. Since making his CGI U 2011 commitment to link college volunteers with first- and second-graders, King has expanded Sprout Up from a group of motivated friends teaching 25 students to more than 150 college students teaching 4,000 children across California. Out of more than 3,300 entries, Sprout Up won $100,000 in a social media contest and was featured on NBC as a nominee for the American Giving Awards in 2012.

Support for CGI U is generously provided by AAUW, Boeing, Dell Inc., Laureate International Universities, Andy Nahas and The Prospect Fund, and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

For more information on CGI U or the CGI University Network visit cgiu.org. For inquiries, please email cgiu@clintonglobalinitiative.org or call 212.710.4492.

Follow us on Twitter at @CGIU and @ClintonGlobal or on Facebook at Facebook.com/CGIUniversity for meeting news and highlights. The event hashtag will be #CGIU.

Press registration is now open to members of the media. To apply, please complete the form at cgilink.org/YE3ZA5.

The deadline to apply for press credentials is Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. ET. Journalists may apply for credentials on-site, but pre-registered media will be given priority. For questions about press registration, please email mailto:press@clintonglobalinitiative.org.

###

About CGI U
The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) brings together college students to address global challenges with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U participants do more than simply discuss problems – they take concrete steps to solve them by creating action plans, building relationships, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. Previous CGI U meetings have taken place at Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami, the University of California at San Diego, and the George Washington University, and have convened more than 4,500 students from nearly 750 schools, more than 130 countries, and all 50 states. To learn more, visit cgiu.org.

About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $73.5 billion.

About Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 120 nations. The total student body is nearly 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The approximately 3,400 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. Twenty-three Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there. The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

New York Wine Expo

New York, NY -- The New York Wine Expo was packed on its final day with trade representatives, those who are in the restaurant and bar business.

It was held at the Javits Convention Center with over 500 wines to sample from over 12 countries.  There were seminars and lots of food and lifestyle exhibits.  Here are some photos from Sunday's final day.  That's all til next year's show:

 
          A big New York welcome 

                     The Grand Hall was packed

Free wine bags from Whole Foods

   Lots of vineyards at the New York Wine Expo

  Over 12 countries represented

   Some amazing wines for all to try
 

Entrepreneur Steven Hollenkamp giving

away Liquor Caviar samples: http://www.liquorcaviar.com/

New York Wine Expo

Visit Our Mobile Site While You Are Onsite Visit our mobile site (www.newyorkwineexpomobile.com) on your smartphone while you are at the event to view a list of all our wines and lifestyle booths. Seminar Spotlight Wine 101: Taste Like a Pro with Wine Spectator’s Director of Education, Gloria Maroti Frazee Session 1: Friday, March 1st at 6:00pm  |  Session 2: Saturday, March 2nd at 11:30am In this seminar, you will not learn to juggle corks nor saber Champagne bottles. You will build the wine appreciation framework required for a lifetime of vinous adventure. (If that sounds too serious – think of it as just smooshed grapes!) As you taste a bounty of wine from around the world, you'll learn the tasting techniques used by pros, explore important grapes, identify key wine styles and determine your own wine preferences. Wine Spectator's Director of Education, Gloria Maroti Frazee, will attempt to cover most everything you’ve always wanted to know about wine, but were afraid to ask... including the key buzzwords for describing wine, how your senses interpret wine, the difference between everyday and special-occasion bottles, stemware, decanting and storage as well as tips for saving leftover wine, food pairing and ordering wine in a restaurant. Whether you're a beginner or experienced wine drinker, you’ll have fun, learn a lot, and take home handouts that you can use to share tastings with friends. Bring your best questions. Wines To Be Poured Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Nature 2009 in magnum Bogle Sauvignon Blanc Folie a Deux Chardonnay 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Eroica Riesling MEZZACORONA Pinot Noir Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2010 Podere Castorani Reserva 2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC TOLAINI Toscana Tenuta S. Giovanni Valdisanti200790$40 Vina San Pedro 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon Maule Valley Single Vineyard 2010 Six Grapes Port Price: $30.00 Transportation Sponsor Uber, the on demand car service app, is the Official Transportation Sponsor of the 2013 New York Wine Expo and is offering attendees $10 off of their first town car ride with promo code NewYorkWineExpo13. Download the app or head to https://www.uber.com/go/newyorkwinexpo13 to learn more and sign up! David Venable - QVC Program Host David Venable will be joining us at the New York Wine Expo! David joined QVC as a program host in 1993 and has since helped establish and build the multimedia retailer’s gourmet food business. His hit show, In the Kitchen with David, offers a unique interactive viewership experience and features the latest in gourmet foods, cookware, kitchen gadgets and cookbooks. While not a chef, Venable, well-known to his dedicated fans as “Your Resident Foodie,” loves to cook and his passion revolves around all things food. This passion, coupled with his extensive knowledge of the industry, has solidified Venable’s reputation as a sought-after host and TV personality. Venable also serves as a primary host for other QVC programming. Prior to joining QVC, Venable was an anchor/reporter for WOAY–TV in Oak Hill, W. Va., and CBS-affiliate WTAJ–TV in Altoona, Pa., where he hosted its weekly public affairs talk show “Action Newsmakers.” He also hosted the Children's Miracle Network telethon for four years. Venable earned his bachelor’s degree in radio, television and motion pictures from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. Seminars - Tickets Sold Separately Friday, March 1st  /  7:00 – 8:00 pm California Pinot Noir: Touring The State’s Great Pinot Regions with David Rossi of Fulcrum Wines Join winemaker David Rossi as he contrasts four of Fulcrum Wines’ highly acclaimed Pinot Noir from the finest regions of California.  This Napa winery specializes in producing small lots and is known for producing some of the countries most sought after Pinot Noirs.  Taste Fulcrum Floodgate Pinot Noir 2010 Russian River Valley, Fulcrum Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir 2010 Sonoma Coast, Fulcrum Pinot Noir 2010 Anderson Valley and Fulcrum Pinot Noir 2010 Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone- Monterey.  Examine the background of each area and what makes it special by exploring wine tasting, food pairing, winemaking and grape growing. You’ll come away with a great knowledge of Pinot Noir from California and have a chance to taste some of the best examples available today.  Price: $25.00 Saturday, March 2nd  /  12:00 - 1:00 pm The Cool Climate, World Class Wines of the Finger Lakes In the past decade the Finger Lakes region of New York State has undergone an evolution in quality and developed into a cool climate, world class wine growing region.   The Finger Lakes is garnering much deserved recognition from top-tier publications like Wine & Spirits, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and the New York Times, among others.   Join Thomas Pastuszak, Wine Director at the NoMad in New York City, for a discussion and tasting of wines from the region.  Learn about what makes the Finger Lakes the premier growing region for cool climate grape varieties in the United States and how it compares on a global level to other regions.   The presentation will conclude with a tasting of some of the standout varieties from the Finger Lakes which best exemplify the terroir of the region.  Price: $25.00 Saturday, March 2nd  /  2:30 - 3:30 pm ITALIAN CHEESE'S "X"- FACTOR!: Gourmet Italian Cheese & Wine Exploration with New York's beloved Italian Cheese Guru - Lou Di Palo presented by Agriform in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission. Join Italian Cheese Guru, Lou Di Palo, for a memorable wine and cheese pairing experience. Lou will discuss Italian Cheese's "X" factor and how typicity, provenance and maturation regimes contribute to the irresistible taste of DOP cheeses like Agriform's Grana Padano, Piave, Asiago, Valtellina Casera and more! Leave with hands on cheese tasting and wine pairing experience and a treasure trove of helpful hints that will make entertaining friends and family a breeze in both formal and informal settings! Sponsored by Agriform in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission.  Price: $35.00 - SOLD OUT        Saturday, March 2nd  /  3:00 – 4:00 pm Fun With Italian Wines…Exceptional Wines From Collio! And Where Is Collio Anyway? Join host John Cressman, Owner of World Wide Wine LLC and Roberto Bartolomucci of Italian Wine Growers for their very special take on the wines of Collio. Italy is a treasure trove of unique and interesting vines throughout and Collio is no exception.  John and Roberto have specially selected a group of wines which will have you wondering why you hadn’t tried each of them before. You will leave this entertaining seminar with a list of ‘must tries’ and greater insight into the wines of a Collio which is uniquely blessed by the vine. This is a “don’t miss” seminar event, where having FUN and tasting great wines comes first! Wines to be tasted include: Prosecco Brut DOC NV (Our welcome wine)   $18.00 Pinot Grigio Collio DOC 2011 – $20.00  #1 Collio Pinot Grigio in Italy 93 pts. and will be drinkable through 2014!) Collio & Collio DOC 2011—$20.00 a most unique blend of Ribolla Gialla, Tocai Friulano & Malvasia grapes-rare & hard to find Sauvignon Collio DOC 2011 – $20.00 Decanter Gold Medal Merlot Collio DOC 2011 – $20.00 spicy and bigger than a California Cab! Collio Rosso Melograno DOC 2010 – $24.00 – known as “a party in your mouth”) Cabernet Franc DOC 2009 – $25.00 – What a way to finish!! Price: $30.00 - SOLD OUT