LA JOLLA–Former President Bill Clinton was at the University of California, San Diego Friday to open the fourth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU).
More than 1,000 students, representing 349 schools, 90 countries and all 50 states attended CGI U this year, and each one has created a Commitment to Action – a concrete plan to address an issue within CGI U’s focus areas: Education, Environment & Climate Change, Peace & Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health. This year, students and student groups have made 950 new commitments. In addition, more than 59 leaders from National Youth Organizations will attend, and they have made 38 commitments.
Bill Clinton honors Aggrey Otieno, a student at Ohio University, for his work in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Kenya. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
During the three-day event, Clinton announced the innovative student projects that would improve health care in Africa, help children around the world go to school, and increase understanding between American and Middle Eastern college students.
“Young people today have more power to effect change than any generation that has come before,” President Clinton said. “Since CGI U was founded in 2008, students and organizations have made more than 3,000 commitments which have improved the lives of thousands of people around the world. These students are taking action to solve the great global challenges of our time – and they are inspiring others to make a difference as well.”
Students attended the CGI U meeting to turn their ideas into action by learning about issues, networking with nationally-known leaders, and gaining inspiration from their peers. The meeting featured sessions on topics including college affordability, LGBT rights, poverty along the U.S.-Mexico border, and ocean pollution. Students also participated in hands-on workshops
“From the day I left office, the US. fell first in the world to ninth in the world of degrees. We are not producing enough science and engineers,” said Clinton.
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