Our Model
The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) is unlike any other initiative of the Clinton Foundation. Rather than directly implementing projects, CGI facilitates cross-sector partnerships that, in turn, create and carry out projects of their own choosing. CGI members hail from a wide variety of professions, cultural and religious backgrounds, and geographic regions. Heads of state, corporate and nonprofit executives, academics, media representatives, religious leaders, university students, and global citizens come together within the CGI community to develop unique solutions to global problems. Members make Commitments to Action – concrete, measurable steps towards improving lives worldwide.
There are three main forums for participation in CGI. These include:
CGI Annual Meeting (Membership)
The CGI Annual meeting is the successful model of global citizenship on which all other CGI programs are based. The Annual Meeting continues to convene more than 1,000 global leaders in New York City each September, producing record numbers of Commitments to Action every year. The CGI commitment staff and a network of expert consultants offer customized support to help members develop their commitments and identify partners throughout the entire year as well as on-site at the Annual Meeting. Learn more.
CGI U
Building on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), President Clinton hosts the CGI U Annual Meeting for students and youth organizations to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Since CGI U was founded in 2007, CGI U has brought together more than 3,500 students from over 650 schools and 110 countries. In order to attend, all CGI U participants are required to develop a Commitment to Action: a new, specific, and measurable plan that addresses a challenge on their campus, in their local community, or around the world. Their efforts have resulted in more than 3,000 commitments to date. Learn more at www.cgiu.org
CGI America
In 2011, President Bill Clinton launched CGI America to address economic recovery by bringing together business, foundation, NGO, and government leaders. CGI America brings together nearly 1,000 attendees to work toward solutions that will address unemployment, prepare Americans as competitive global citizens, and rethink current models that shape the U.S. economy and society. This two-day convening is designed to be a working meeting that promotes collaboration. At the 2011 CGI America meeting, participants made more than 100 commitments valued at $11.8 billion when the projects are fully funded and implemented. Collectively, they will improve the lives of 3 million people,create or fill more than 150,000 jobs, and invest and loan $354 million to small and medium enterprises in the United States. Learn more at www.cgiamerica.org.
PROFILE
In 2010, Room to Read celebrated the completion of its first CGI commitment when it opened its 10,000th library, located in Nepal. Room to Read has helped improve literacy for 5 million children throughout Africa and Asia. Learn more »
