2008 Woodie Awards
Student has opportunity to learn about program that aims at getting concrete results for world problems
Amy Eggert
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
There are a few things I've learned in my three years on the staff of The Collegian. Mainly, journalism isn't easy, especially for a student trying to balance a full course load, extra-curricular activities and sometimes even another job. It's even more difficult if you've never taken a journalism class. I spend a ridiculous amount of time in the Union basement and am the first one informed of "anonymous" attacks via the Web site. Every so often, something comes along that makes up for my plunging G.P.A. and lack of a social life.
On Feb. 13, I had the opportunity to partake in a conference call with former President William Jefferson Clinton. College Media Network, the parent company of College Publisher - the company that handles The Collegian's Web site - set up an exclusive conference call with the former Commander-in-Chief and Scott Cowen, president of Tulane University in New Orleans, La., to discuss a new branch of the Clinton Global Initiative: Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U).
Just to clarify, I am a tree-hugging, equal rights demanding, first amendment supporting, idealistic bleeding-heart liberal. I believe that through diplomacy and soft power, we can achieve much more than with sheer might alone. I recognize my bias and thus present this not as a straight news story, but as a first-hand account. To me, getting the chance to speak to President Clinton is the stuff dreams are made of. No matter what you thought of his presidency, it is hard to argue with the worldwide impact he has made since he left office.
The Clinton Global Initiative, a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, was started in 2005 by Bill Clinton as a way to turn lofty goals of fixing the world's problems into concrete results. The project is currently focused on four main areas: education, energy and climate change, global health and poverty alleviation. Focus areas change yearly at the annual meeting, where each member is required to make a commitment to action, be it through gifts of money, time, skills or products. Since its inception, members will affect 180 lives in over 100 countries through 1,000 commitments worth tens of billions of dollars.
On Feb. 13, I had the opportunity to partake in a conference call with former President William Jefferson Clinton. College Media Network, the parent company of College Publisher - the company that handles The Collegian's Web site - set up an exclusive conference call with the former Commander-in-Chief and Scott Cowen, president of Tulane University in New Orleans, La., to discuss a new branch of the Clinton Global Initiative: Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U).
Just to clarify, I am a tree-hugging, equal rights demanding, first amendment supporting, idealistic bleeding-heart liberal. I believe that through diplomacy and soft power, we can achieve much more than with sheer might alone. I recognize my bias and thus present this not as a straight news story, but as a first-hand account. To me, getting the chance to speak to President Clinton is the stuff dreams are made of. No matter what you thought of his presidency, it is hard to argue with the worldwide impact he has made since he left office.
The Clinton Global Initiative, a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, was started in 2005 by Bill Clinton as a way to turn lofty goals of fixing the world's problems into concrete results. The project is currently focused on four main areas: education, energy and climate change, global health and poverty alleviation. Focus areas change yearly at the annual meeting, where each member is required to make a commitment to action, be it through gifts of money, time, skills or products. Since its inception, members will affect 180 lives in over 100 countries through 1,000 commitments worth tens of billions of dollars.
Be the first to comment on this story