CGIU

Clinton Global Initiative University

Students, the University of Houston wants to support your Commitments to Action through the Clinton Global Initiative and send you to the conference in St. Louis.

Apply to the Clinton Global Initiative before the January 30th deadline to be considered for funding to attend the conference and possible funding towards your Commitment.

Building on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative, which brings together world leaders to take action on global challenges, President Clinton launched the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) in 2007 to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. The sixth annual CGI U meeting will bring together students and youth organizations to develop Commitments to Action across five focus areas:

  • Education
  • Environment & Climate Change
  • Peace & Human Rights
  • Poverty Alleviation
  • Public Health.

The meeting will be held from April 5 – 7, 2013 at Washington University in St. Louis.
The CGI U meeting will include plenary sessions, working sessions, and other special events that provide participants with a wide variety of knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. The program will allow CGI U attendees to discuss global issues, develop practical skills, identify potential partners, and formulate concrete plans of action for the months ahead.

Whether discussing the education of marginalized populations or the worldwide struggle against infectious diseases, each session will be informed by student activists, celebrities, heads of leading NGOs, topic experts, and others who have created positive change in the global community. Meeting attendees will also be invited to participate in CGI U Exchange, an exhibition allowing them to learn more about the commitments and organizations represented at CGI U 2013. On Sunday, CGI U participants will take part in an innovative service project that will allow students to give back to the greater St. Louis community.

The online applications are located here: http://www.cgiu.org/applying_to_cgiu/
Final application deadline: January 30, 2013
If applying as a group, apply earlier to have a chance for all members to be accepted

Since the inaugural CGIU Meeting at Tulane University in 2008, more than 3,000 commitments have been made by students, universities, and youth organizations. Last year ten University of Houston students were selected to represent four individual and two group “Commitments to Action” in the areas of Education, Peace & Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health, at the 2012 CGI U in Washington, DC. A profile for each student is provided on the following pages, which includes information about each of their respective “Commitments to Action.”

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Ayesha Khan on her experience at Clinton Global Initiative University

Being at the CGIU made me realize the impact good ideas, no matter how small, can make.  The CGIU weekend was one filled with inspiration, motivation and optimistic enthusiasm. Watching so many young individuals take concrete steps to address global challenges filled me with hope. As long as we have people that not only understand the world’s problems but are actually willing to do something about it, we can count on the world being a much better place. If you are one of those people that feel strongly about a certain global challenge and are willing to commit to addressing it, then CGIU is the perfect opportunity for you. Not only will you meet likeminded people at the conference, and be able to network with them, you will also be able to learn how to make your commitment work.

Ayesha Khan’s Commitment to Action:
A 2010 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit cited Pakistan’s score on the *Women’s Economic Opportunity ranking to be a dismal 29.9, one of the lowest in the region. According to International human development indicators, the Gender Inequality Index of Pakistan is 0.573. Despite being one of the few countries to have high-ranking women political leaders, roles still remain diminished for women in Pakistan. There is enough room for change in the society if women have the frame of mind to do it. I believe that the first step toward women empowerment has to be taken by the women themselves. And the best way to start that process is before the girl grows up to become a woman. Therefore, there is a high need for girls to have positive images and influences throughout life so that they can set ambitious goals and strive to achieve them. Hence, I commit to an educational, media and social networking campaign called ‘Meri Khwaish (My Wish) – I am a girl and I aspire to be …’ Meri Khwaish (My Wish) – will be a first of its kind educational non-profit media and social networking campaign geared toward girl empowerment in Pakistan. As part of the campaign I aim to create a girl character ‘Aisha’ that will be influenced by but not entirely based on strong and independent Pakistani women leaders. Through my campaign my goal is to have a long-term impact on the lives of young girls in Pakistan, helping them improve their self-esteem by appreciating who they are, respecting their own individuality and recognizing their rights.

As a student, you have a lot of power to bring the change that you want to see in our world. With the help of the CGIU network, you can bring your ideas into action and come up with the most innovative solutions to the world’s biggest problems. Are you ready to commit to a civic cause this year?

*Women’s economic opportunity - A new pilot index and global ranking from the Economist Intelligence Unit , The Economist , 2010