President Clinton has invited Kennedy Odede to join the Clinton Global Initiative, a community of global leaders dedicated to forging solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. By fostering partnerships, providing strategic advice, and driving resources toward effective ideas, the Clinton Global Initiative helps its members – organizations from the private sector, public sector, and civil society – maximize their efforts to alleviate poverty, create a cleaner environment, and increase access to health care and education.
This spring, Kennedy was invited to speak on a panel with President Clinton and Sean Penn at the closing plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Conference (if you missed the panel, watch it here!). CGI U brought together University students from all over the world to foster a community of young leaders who don't just discuss the world's challenges - they take real, concrete steps toward solving them. CGI U was inspired by President Clinton's main effort-- The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), which he founded in 2005 in an effort to translate ideas into action.
The 2011 CGI Annual Meeting will take place Sept. 20-22 in New York City. The Annual Meeting brings together heads of state, government and business leaders, scholars, and NGO directors. The participants will analyze pressing global challenges, discuss the most effective solutions, and build lasting partnerships that enable them to create positive social change. The Annual Meetings have brought together nearly 150 current and former heads of state, 18 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, along with heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made nearly 2,000 commitments, which have already improved the lives of 300 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued in excess of $63 billion.
We are thrilled for Kennedy's participation in the CGI Conference this September and are excited for the opportunities that CGI will bring for Shining Hope's work!
"You know you've been a little modest here, but this is kind of a breakthrough in Kibera--what you're doing for young girls and women. It's a breakthrough that has to be done everywhere."
-President Bill Clinton to Kennedy (April 2011, CGI U Closing Plenary)
