This week heads of state, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropists met for the fourth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). By gathering global leaders, the ex-Pres hopes they will devise and implement concrete solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. Since 2005, CGI has committed $30 billion to programs that have impacted 200 million lives in more than 150 countries.
Some of the highlights from this year have included:
- Bono spoke out about global priorities: "It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G-8 can't find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable disease and hunger."
- Wyclef Jean's foundation committed to providing hot school meals for 14,000 poor children, food for 20,000 families a month, thousands of new agriculture jobs, micro-enterprise grants for 165 small businesses, 36,000 farmers with seed, fertilizer, and training, and implementation of a broad communications campaign to engage international and local Haitian musicians in the Together for Haiti Campaign.
- Al Gore was joined at the opening session by Clinton, Queen Rania of Jordan, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Bono and E. Neville Isdell, chairman of Coca-Cola Co.'s board. Gore called for civil disobedience against new coal plants.
- Lance Armstrong, who is planning to race in next year's Tour de France, pledged $8 million to a global awareness campaign for cancer, including a meeting that would convene in Paris after the tour.
To see more pictures from the event, including shots of Jordan's Queen Rania, the presidential candidates, Drew Barrymore, and Sarah Palin, read more.
Source
Marc Jacobs
Gianvito Rossi
Marc Jacobs
Ex-presidents get fun jobs!
1It really is too bad when celebrities get involved in politics and world problems, because then people actually get the help they need to stand on their own.
2As much as I love all the charity work he does privately, Bono really drives me crazy.
3Gavin Newsom was there?
4What Is the Clinton Global Initiative?
It's where McCain made a huge campaign speech after "suspending" his campaign.
(Sorry, couldn't resist. I have a fever and I'm in bed, uncomfortable and crabby.)
5i think that having this meeting each year really does allow new people to get involved, and i love that clinton is able to lend his name to really bring this to the forefront. i've been dodging the traffic ALL WEEK from this thing since i work right by the UN, but i have to say that i think that it's a worthwhile cause that i'll get over it.
i've known about the projects that Bono and Gore support, and i think that we are all aware of how they are really making people more aware of disease and environmental protection, however what i liked most is that we're seeing more and more about how wyclef and matt damon are getting involved and how they have these foundations with thought out plans of action and measurable ways to see their success.
6I'm in love with Queen Rania of Jordan. But I'm a little biased because I have a thing for Asian women.
7i miss clinton so much
8I miss looking at his sexy ass everyday.
9Lance
10This is truly inspirational...but what is Sarah Palin doing there? If this her attempt to humanitarianism, I’m not falling for it. And why is it that celebs are more aware of these issues than the general public? Perhaps they are the more educated ones, but still we should be more sensitive towards these issues. Maybe many of these issues aren't affecting America, which is why we don't care. But we are supposed to set an example for the rest of the world to follow, yet we the remain the most ignorant to the conflict occurring in most the rest of the world. As Americans, we are waaay self-centered, we can't run the world ourselves! In fact, maybe we can ruin the world ourselves... look at our current economy crisis, caused by our irresponsible spending...our greed consumes us. And global warming...as the main consumer of fossil fuels we our the predominant contributor to global warming. We've got to shape up peeps...fast.
11Why is it you don't think Sarah Palin is concerned about "the world's biggest challenges?" I think the bigger question should be "Why weren't Obama or Biden there?" Does this mean they don't care?
12You wanna change the world, Mr. Bill? Then work a little harder to get Obama elected.
13Bill Clinton was horrible on Larry King. He was very clear that he thought Palin was "remarkable" and he really "respected" McCain. Then mumble mumble about Obama. Clinton soooooooo wants his spouse elected to the presidency in four years. He can taste it.
14Any attention brought to this cause is good in my eyes.
15Did you know we can all make a commitment? However big or small we want to make it?
16none
17Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.