UD joins Clinton Global Initiative University network; seeks student proposals

9:32 a.m., Nov. 28, 2012--The University of Delaware is the newest member of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) network, which was founded by former President Bill Clinton to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses worldwide in solving global challenges. 

“Educating engaged global citizens is a major goal of the University of Delaware, highlighted in UD’s Path to Prominence,” said Nancy Guerra, associate provost for international programs and director of the Institute for Global Studies. “UD’s involvement in the CGI U network offers new and important opportunities for students to put their ideas into action.” 

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UD students who have ideas for improving their campus or local or global community are encouraged to submit proposals to participate in the upcoming CGI U annual conference, set for April 5-7, 2013, at Washington University in St. Louis. 

Clinton hosts the conference each year for CGI U network students and youth organizations to display their innovative solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems. Since its inaugural meeting in 2008, CGI U conferences have brought together more than 4,500 students from nearly 750 universities and over 130 countries. 

CGI U students develop a “Commitment to Action,” which is a new, specific and measurable plan to address a challenge on campus, in the local community or around the world. Students submit proposals directly to CGI U either as an individual or as part of a group of up to four students. 

CGI U will select about 1,200 proposals from around the globe and invite the students who submitted them to participate in the conference, which allows students to discuss ideas, develop practical skills and formulate concrete plans of action for implementing their project ideas. CGI U is a growing network of young leaders who aim to change the world. 

As a member of the CGI U network, UD’s Institute for Global Studies will provide support and guidance for students who plan to apply, and a UD liaison will be available to review proposals before they are submitted. UD also will be able to provide some funding for students whose projects are accepted by CGI U, Guerra said. 

Students who are thinking of applying may contact UD graduate student Noel Shadowen, student adviser to CGI U, at nshadow@udel.edu for additional information. 

Interested students also are encouraged to attend one of the two information meetings — on Monday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m., or Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 4:30 p.m. — in the conference room at the Institute for Global Studies, Elliott Hall, 26 E. Main St.

The deadline for students to apply for the CGI U conference is Jan. 30, 2013. 

Students can find further information on applying to CGI U at the CGI U Facebook site or the website.