Clinton Global Initiative
Student proposals sought for 2015 Clinton Global Initiative-University Conference
6:43 p.m., Sept. 11, 2014--The University of Delaware’s Institute for Global Studies (IGS) invites students to submit a proposal to the Clinton Global Initiative-University (CGI-U) for its annual conference, and general information meetings will be held on campus Sept. 17.
The CGI-U annual event brings together student leaders, corporate and NGO leaders, experts and celebrities to create innovative solutions to the world’s most difficult challenges.
Global Stories
Fulbright awards
Peace Corps plans
Founded by President Bill Clinton in an effort to involve young people in solving global challenges, CGI-U accepts “Commitments to Action,” which are student-submitted new, specific and measurable plans to address a challenge on campus, in the local community or around the world. Students should submit proposals directly to CGI-U either as an individual or as part of a group.
The 2015 conference will be held from March 6-8 at the University of Miami in Florida. CGI-U will select around 1,000 students from around the world to attend the conference and to discuss their ideas, and develop the practical skills and logistical knowledge to turn their commitment ideas into realities.
UD became a in CGI-U university network member in 2012, and IGS looks forward to sending talented and motivated young student leaders to this conference and will be able to offer some grants to support conference travel and project funding.
General information meetings will be held on campus in the Institute for Global Studies Elliott Hall conference room at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17. All interested students are encouraged to attend.
Last year, CGI-U selected 14 UD students to participate, ranging from students involved in Engineers Without Boarders, FEMpower, Lori’s Hands and Junk Kills, a campaign that has received attention from social news and entertainment company BuzzFeed and support from UD’s First Step Program.
Last year’s featured participants included U.S. Sen. John McCain; Gabrielle Giffords, former U.S. representative and founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions; Jimmy Kimmel, host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!; Reeta Roy, president and CEO, the MasterCard Foundation; María Elena Salinas, anchor, Univision News; Jimmy Wales, founder, Wikipedia; and Lauryn Williams, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in sprinting and silver medalist in bobsledding.
Timothy Fowles, assistant professor of psychology at UD, will serve for his third year as a faculty mentor for students. Interested students can consult Fowles about their, “Commitments to Action,” a requirement of CGI-U. He can be reached at tfowles@psych.udel.edu.
For more information on CGI-U or for assistance with applications, please contact student representative Meng Fan at mengfan@udel.edu.
The CGI-U application is now available for the 2015 conference. The early decision and travel assistance deadline is Oct. 17, and the final application deadline is Dec. 1. Information and the application can be found online.
About the Institute for Global Studies
The Institute for Global Studies was created in 2009 to enhance the international dimensions of teaching, research and outreach at the University of Delaware. IGS provides leadership and support for programs and experiences that contribute to the education of informed, skilled, open-minded citizens of the world.
Best known for coordinating the University’s study abroad program, IGS also awards scholarships and grants to faculty and students for myriad global opportunities, administers internationally recognized programs such as the MEPI (Middle East Partnership Initiative) Student Leaders Institute, and sponsors such signature events as International Education Week each fall and country-specific celebrations each spring.
IGS collaborates with other global partners on campus, including the Office for International Students and Scholars, the Confucius Institute and the Center for Global and Area Studies.