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MEDIA ADVISORY: Clinton Global Initiative Event to Highlight Progress and Next Steps to “Building a Resilient Future” as Part of Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina


New Orleans, LA – The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) will host a special event, “Building a Resilient Future,” on Thursday, August 27, at which members of the CGI community will address disaster recovery, resilient infrastructure, and community revitalization. The working meeting will include opening remarks from New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and a keynote from Alden J. McDonald Jr., President and CEO of Liberty Bank and Trust Company. It will also highlight progress made through existing Commitments to Action and explore how to build on that progress with next steps to address the work that remains.

“Building a Resilient Future” will bring together CGI member organizations including Global Green USA, Airbnb, Inc., NRG Energy, Inc., MercyCorps, U.S. Green Building Council, Make It Right, Oxfam America, St. Bernard Project, PricewaterhouseCoopers, The American Institute of Architects, and the Walmart Foundation, as well as local organizations including Liberty Bank and Trust Company, Broadmoor Improvement Association, Crescent City Community Land Trust, the Foundation for Louisiana, and many others. Following the session, participants will visit a CGI Commitment to Action made by Make It Right in the Lower 9th Ward.

On Saturday, August 29, President Clinton will provide keynote remarks at Katrina 10’s “Power of Community” Commemoration hosted by the City of New Orleans.

These events build on President Clinton’s commitment to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Upon being asked to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by President George W. Bush, President Clinton and President George H. W. Bush created the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. This fund’s goal was to create a network of relief that would address unmet needs, prevent people from falling through the cracks, and provide support that could lead to a prosperous future. The fund raised over $130 million in contributions for its four target grant areas: higher education; houses of worship; state-based; and community. Work done based on these grants covered a range of needs in the affected areas, including education, workforce development, social and medical services, arts and culture, youth development, construction, and infrastructure. Additionally, through the Response & Resilience Track of the Clinton Global Initiative, President Clinton has encouraged partnerships between corporations, NGOs, governments, and civil society to drive investments in natural disaster preparedness and response, support for humanitarian crises, and post-conflict reconstruction. For more information about the CGI Response & Resilience Track, please visit www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative/about-us/tracks/response-resilience. 

Follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative for event news and highlights. 

ALL PRESS MUST BE CREDENTIALED BY THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE. To apply, please email press@clintonglobalinitiative.org. All media must apply for credentials and must be approved by the Clinton Global Initiative to attend. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 26.

Members of the media are encouraged to submit an online application in advance of this deadline, as credentials will be processed on a rolling basis. Members of the press who have received email confirmation from CGI to attend the meeting are encouraged to pick up their credentials and pre-set for the session on Thursday, August 27 from 9:00 to 9:30 AM CDT at the press registration desk in the Sheraton New Orleans.

A full schedule of commemorative events, as well as additional resources for the media, is available at Katrina10.org.

*** FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY ***

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2015
CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE SPECIAL EVENT: BUILDING A RESILIENT FUTURE
Sheraton New Orleans
500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

9:00 – 9:30 AM CDT
Press Registration and Pre-Set

9:30 – 10:10 AM CDT
Building a Resilient Future Plenary Session
Remarks:

  • Elsa Palanza, Director of Commitments, Clinton Global Initiative
  • Mitch Landrieu, Mayor, New Orleans, LA

Keynote Address:

  • Alden J. McDonald Jr., President and CEO, Liberty Bank and Trust Company

10: 30 AM – 12:30 PM CDT
Building a Resilient Future – Simultaneous Working Sessions

  • Disaster & Recovery: Utilizing best practices that improve disaster preparedness efforts, especially tools for small businesses and vulnerable communities.
  • Resilient Infrastructure: Integrating natural systems and sustainable building practices to enhance public infrastructure and protect against environmental shocks.
  • Community Revitalization: Driving resources towards comprehensive approaches to promote connected, healthy, and affordable communities.

12:30 – 2:30 PM CDT
Commitment to Action Visit: Make It Right
1701 Jourdan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Make It Right officials will host a tour for “Building a Resilient Future” attendees and members of the media in the Lower 9th Ward to look at homes designed by Frank Gehry, Shigeru Ban, David Adjaye and others and built through Make It Right as part of a CGI Commitment to Action. Participants will tour a recently completed home and hear about the sustainable construction process and how its meets LEED Platinum certification while maintaining affordability for low-income families.