Subsite Background

Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U)

CGIU22/23 open for application

Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2023
 
  • Receive HKD8,000 sponsorship* to join the CGI U annual meeting at the Vanderbilt University, United States, from March 3 to 5, 2023;
  • All accepted teams will receive a subsidy of more than HKD3,000 per team to kickstart the project.

*Study tour sponsorship is open to undergraduate students only.


What is Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U)?

The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) is looking for undergraduates or graduates, who are addressing pressing challenges in United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Students selected for CGI U's programmes will receive access to personalized mentorship, social impact programming, funding opportunities through CGI U partners, and student engagement events, including the CGI U 2023 annual meeting hosted by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. The CGI U 2023 student application is exclusively open to members of the CGI U community. 


Key Features of CGI U

Clinton Presentation
1. LEARNING

CGI U offers one-of-a-kind training, resources, and personalized mentorship on how to ideate, design, implement, and evaluate a social impact project.

...
2. LEADERSHIP

Through a year-round curriculum that includes student networking and engagement events, beginning with the global annual meeting, CGI U provides unique opportunities to connect aspiring leaders with leading experts in business, technology, social impact and each other.

Leadership Public Service Programme
3. ACTION

CGI U participants are selected on the strength of their Commitment to Action. CGI U helps them formulate their ideas and provides the necessary resources, feedback, tools, and potential funding streams to turn their ideas into action.


COMMITMENT TO ACTION: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Each applicant/ team has to select the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that best aligns with your commitment. This will help CGI U staff pair you with a Commitment Mentor and connect you with students working on similar issues.

sdgs

For details about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), please visit https://sdgs.un.org/goals.


Benefits of Joining the CGI U

Joining the CGI U Programme 2022/23 allowing you to gain access to:

  • Commitment to Action (CTA) curriculum, that expands on the CTA model on how to ideate, design, implement and evaluate a social impact project;
  • High-touch mentorship;
  • Access to funding streams;
  • Student engagement events, including CGI U’s annual meeting; and
  • Access to Clinton Foundation expertise, where CGI U students can explore partnership opportunities for projects aligned with the Foundation’s work.

 


CGI U Curriculum

All accepted CGI U students are expected to be available for the entirety of the scheduled dates of the events/ modules outlined below. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend small-group discussions, schedule one-on-one coaching sessions with Commitment Mentors, and view the self-guided webinars on YouTube.

March, 2023: Welcome Week and Onboarding

March 3-5, 2023: Annual Meeting at the Vanderbilt University, United States

April - June, 2023: Module 1 | Laying the Groundwork for your Commitment

June - August, 2023: Module 2 | Taking your Project to the Next Level

August - October, 2023: Module 3 | Maintaining Momentum

CGI U Graduation Requirements
Through the online platform, Commitment Mentors will review and monitor student engagement in the CGI U curriculum and ensure that students are fulfilling requirements for graduation. To complete the CGI U program and become eligible for CGI U’s Commitment-Maker seal, letters of recommendation and other opportunities, students must complete the following over the course of the programme:

  • Participation in one, hour-long small group discussion per module (4 in total) (to be scheduled by Commitment Mentors)
  • Review of CGI U’s 30-minute webinar recordings and readings, which will be housed on the online platform, and completion of all accompanying exercises   
  • Completion of one 30-minute individual coaching session with their Commitment Mentor per module (4 in total)
  • Completion of Commitment to Action progress report

CGI U 2019/2020 Highlight
LU Student Discusses with Former US President Bill Clinton
About Challenges Faced During Pandemic

 

Karie Chan Ching-yi, a year 4 student in Sociology (left), was featured in the annual CGI U meeting’s town hall question-and-answer session with Bill Clinton (centre) and Chelsea Clinton.

Karie Chan Ching-yi, a year 4 student in Sociology (left), was featured
in the annual CGI U meeting’s town hall question-and-answer session
with Bill Clinton (centre) and Chelsea Clinton.

Five projects created by nine Lingnan University (LU) students have been selected for the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) this year, largest in number among other local universities. The projects were related to Peace and Human Rights, and Public Health.

 

Among them, Karie Chan Ching-yi, a year 4 student in Sociology, is partnering with another student to create “Lingnan We-bond”, a project that aims to facilitate a multi-cultural and harmonious environment for LU students to achieve social integration. The team will invite international students, ethnic-minority students, and local-Chinese students studying at LU for video shooting to share their experiences and difficulties, thus allowing students to learn about different cultures and enhance their cultural sensitivity.

 

The 12th annual CGI U meeting’s town hall question-and-answer session featured a unique opportunity for Karie to converse with former US President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea Clinton on 19 April (Hong Kong time). Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, CGI U hosted the first virtual convening for its annual meeting to discuss the COVID-19 crisis. Karie focused on how young people can work together to combat the complex health, economic, and societal challenges that COVID-19 presents. She hopes that such an international event can guide her in understanding these global issues and broaden her horizons, which would support her goal to work at non-profit organisations or social enterprises after graduation, helping disadvantaged groups improve both the quality of their education and their quality of life.

 

Bill Clinton established CGI U in 2007 to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. It challenges students to make “Commitments to Action” in five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health, to address global challenges that we are currently facing.

(Text: The Office of Communications and Public Affairs (OCPA))


Enquiries

Ms. Annie Lau
Tel: 2616 8474 
Email: sinmanlau@LN.edu.hk