2011 Clinton Global Initiative Meeting

Its scope and impact is unprecedented- more than $63 billion in commitments improving the lives of 300 million people in more than 180 countries.

Since its inception in 2005, President Clinton annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting, held in NYC, has 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."

The effectiveness and success of CGI is nothing short of astonishing; CGI members have made nearly 2,000 commitments, which as aforementioned, have already improved the lives of 300 million people in more than 180 countries. 

The continued success of each annual meeting lies in President Clinton's focus on the How question. It is his belief that "regardless of what we want to do and how much money we have to spend on it, how can we maximize our efforts and expand our impact so that our good intentions turn into real change."

CGI commitments target four core action areas: Global Health, Economic Empowerment, Energy & Climate Change, and Education. 

This year's meeting like previous years, includes a remarkable list of attendees and participants including President Obama and many other foreign heads of state.

This year's CGI meeting will be particularly special for me. This year, I have the privilege to attend the CGI meeting. For me, it will be inspiring to see first hand the extent to which amazing things truly can happen when people from different background, regions, and sectors come together in the spirit of true collaboration. 

Whatever side of the political spectrum one falls, one must appreciate the work President Clinton has accomplished through his CGI initiative to help others worldwide. 

I very much look forward to sharing my first hand account of CGI with you all after its conclusion next week. Do stay tuned!!!

Hoya Saxa