There are many innovation competitions and programs on UW-Madison’s campus but few are like the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU).
Founded in 2007 by former president Bill Clinton, CGIU is modeled after the Clinton Global Initiative and serves to “engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world,” according to the organization’s website. Students apply to the program with their own “Commitments to Action” that will look to better their campus, local, and global communities.
This marks the fourth year UW-Madison has partnered with the Clinton Foundation to allow accepted students to take part in the program that invites over 1,000 students, university leaders, senior executives, and public figures from around the world to discuss and develop promising solutions to pressing social challenges.
While the Clinton Foundation is still reviewing applications at the time of this writing, there is little question that UW-Madison will have representation at CGIU in 2022. Every Badger selected will receive $2,000 provided by the Office of the Chancellor to help put their ideas into action.
These grant monies serve as necessary capital for jumpstarting the student ventures and initiatives outlined in the “Commitments to Action.” More importantly though, these modest grants also serve as valuable psychological assurance that accepted students’ passions to achieve social impact are seen as consistent with the values of UW-Madison.
If you would like to learn more about CGIU and UW-Madison’s relationship with the program, feel free to contact campus liaisons John Surdyk or Sari Judge.
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