UK to Send Students to Clinton Global Initiative University Meeting

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2015) — The University of Kentucky is looking for students interested in participating in the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Meeting. This is the second year the university will participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University Network, a growing consortium of colleges and universities that support, mentor and provide seed funding to student leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

"The Clinton Global Institute University Network is garnering increasing recognition worldwide for the ways that it is harnessing the energy of new ideas and ways of thinking, to solve challenging world problems. The chance to tackle these big issues, in ways that are linked to students’ intellectual and professional development, is irresistible," said UK Associate Provost for Internationalization and Dean of UK Graduate School Susan Carvalho.

UK will provide $15,000 in funding to be divided among UK students who are selected to pursue their Commitments to Action at CGI U 2016 to be held April 1-3, at University of California, Berkeley. Commitments to Action, a unique feature of the CGI U model, are new, specific and measurable initiatives that address global challenges across CGI U’s five focus areas:

· education,

· environment and climate change,

· peace and human rights,

· poverty alleviation, and

· public health.

More information on applying for CGI U 2016 can be found at www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative/meetings/cgi-university/apply/before-you-apply.

"The 2015 CGI U conference instructed, informed and inspired me, not only for the direction of my health promotion program and research in the Philippines, but also for my future aspirations of a career in public health," said public health graduate student Daniel Barber, of Frankfort, Kentucky, who represented UK at the conference last year. "The conference sponsored a variety of skills/working sessions on a broad range of topics, allowing activists and leaders in many different fields to speak about their current projects and the struggles they had to overcome to reach their goals. I enjoyed hearing from these activists and global leaders not only for their ability to inspire, but for the opportunity to discern possible avenues for my future. Finally, it was amazing to be surrounded by so many aspiring activists, many of whom were younger than me, who were also attending this conference to become better versed in the issues currently facing humanity, and to create connections with individuals working on similar projects throughout the world." 

Students interested in pursuing a Commitment to Action should contact the campus liaison in the UK Academy for Undergraduate Excellence, Lisa Broome, at lisa.broome@uky.edu or 859-257-1537. UK undergraduates and graduate students in any discipline are eligible to apply. Students may apply individually or in small teams. UK will mentor student commitment-makers as they develop and implement their plans in the coming months.

"The CGI U conference is a great way to find funding for individual and group projects, as well as an opportunity to rejuvenate one’s spirit and hope for the future of our world," Barber said. "If you are interested in the issues that challenge the current status of our global community, and more importantly, are interested in becoming part of the solution — then the CGI U conference presents a perfect step toward an individual’s personal development and understanding of the issues, social connectivity, and monetary support." 

The deadline to apply for CGI U 2016 is Dec. 4, 2015, and students can apply online at http://www.cgiu.org/apply /.

CGI U brings together college students to address global challenges with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U participants do more than discuss problems — they take concrete steps to solve them by creating action plans, building relationships, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. To learn more, visit www.cgiu.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu