In the post below, Clinton School students, Angela Toomer, Anna Applebaum, Bolton Kirchner, Brenda Hernandez, Tatiana Riddle, and Tiffany Jacob reflect on their experience attending the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting in New York.
We never thought we would be able to shake President Clinton’s hand once, let alone twice. Yet in a back hallway of the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square, far from the hectic bustle of the main floor of the Clinton Global Initiative’s (CGI) Annual Meeting, the former President walked out of a discussion with Matt Damon with his hands extended to all passerby. The President’s genuine appreciation for CGIvolunteers was real – a reminder of our unique opportunity to be connected to this impressive global event through the Clinton School.
The magic of volunteering at CGI isn’t that this presidential encounter was an aberration, but that nearly all of us volunteers had some kind of similar experience. CGI promises to its members that they will encounter creative and passionate thinkers; that they will build relationships with each other both through workshops and through passing conversations in the crowded hallways. Scattered throughout the event, volunteers had the opportunity to experience this as well.
Bolton fostered the friendship of a thoughtful reporter from The Atlantic. Tatiana and Tiffany listened to Charlie Rose and President Clinton discussing challenges facing future US presidents. Brenda and Bolton sat in on a broadcast session in which Fareed Zakaria spoke with Chelsea Clinton and Paul Farmer on the Ebola crisis. Anna spoke at length with two photojournalists about the changing nature of their profession and the technological revolution in photography. And Angela was able to hear former Secretary Hillary Clinton speak with Melinda Gates regarding the possibilities for women and girls’ full participation in society.
The mission of the CGI annual meeting is to turn ideas into action. Leaders gather from all across the globe to support commitments to action. To date, CGI members have made over 3,100 commitments, effecting change in over 180 countries, and reaching more than 430 million people.
One of the most exciting moments at CGI was seeing the connection of the commitments with a longtime partner of the Clinton School, Bunker Roy. A frequent field service partner, Roy was honored at the event for expanding his organization, Barefoot College, into South Sudan through an innovative partnership with South Sudanese Bishop Elias Taban.
Overall, we were able to see the multiple faces of public service at CGI as reflected in members’ commitments and the many other people who were crucial in facilitating such a coordinated and professional event. We were able to connect with fellow volunteers, CGI and Clinton Foundation staff, and security personnel. We thank the Clinton School for the opportunity to attend CGI and we hope we are lucky enough to volunteer at a future CGI meeting!
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