The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) was launched in 2005 as a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The CGI draws strength from a highly diverse membership base that represents the full spectrum of political, ideological, religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. Members include current and former heads of state, top business executives, preeminent scholars, and representatives of key non-governmental organizations working together for a common cause.

The defining characteristics of the Clinton Global Initiative are its action-oriented nature and its track record of converting pioneering ideas into viable solutions with tangible results. CGI members develop ’commitments to action’, focusing on practical, effective problem-solving measures that can be taken now. Member commitments are comprehensive, formal plans of action with timetables for evaluating progress. They are developed within one or more CGI areas of focus, which change annually to address the most imperative global issues requiring attention.

In 2006 Students of the World committed to sending its university teams to Clinton Global Initiative commitment sites, covering each of the CGI areas of focus. Our SOW teams partner with CGI members to document the progress made through each commitment and return to their campuses and communities to enlighten and share these stories. In 2006 and 2007, Each team produced short documentary films that were shown at the CGI and also put in the form of DVDs.

2008 is our third year working with CGI and it is through them that we are connected to some of the most innovative solutions and non-profits in the world. Our students work to tell the stories of these non-profit will be again highlighted at CGI, as well as through our web-based initiative, See Change.