For decades, college students in the United States have found themselves at the forefront of change. Issues ranging from climate change, social justice, and economic equality are major global concerns that historically impact younger generations. These issues are becoming more critical, influencing younger generations to get involved and make efforts to combat these global issues. With fresh perspectives and strong voices, college students play an important role in tackling major world challenges. And now, the Clinton Global Initiative has created a fellowship program that gives students the platform they need to to solve global issues.
The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), founded by President Bill Clinton, was established on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and work together as a community. CGI has made significant efforts to be a resource for those who want to make a difference in the United States and worldwide. From CGI comes CGI University, which is a program founded in 2007 geared toward college students who are working to tackle these crises in their communities, in their countries, and worldwide. CGI U hosts an annual meeting where students can launch their “commitments,” or their solutions to these challenges, and potentially receive funding to help make their solutions a reality.
And now, in 2024, the Clinton Global Initiative has added a brand new program to CGI University — the CGI Fellowship. As part of this fellowship, 25 students will get the chance to develop their CGI commitments with support from mentors. Fellows will also take part in community-building events, and have access to exclusive resources, networks, and partnerships. The fellows then will be given a platform at the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative University annual meeting, which will take place on Sept. 23-24 in New York City, where they will be sent as part of an all-expenses-paid trip.
Having college students identifying the challenges in their communities and mobilizing resources not only impacts our nation and world, but also teaches young leaders in the program how to take action. “The new CGI Fellowship will give students and emerging leaders from around the world valuable new tools and opportunities as they develop solutions to some of our most urgent challenges, on the unrivaled CGI stage,” Ragina Arrington, Chief Executive Officer of the CGI University program, said in a press release. Chief Executive Officer of CGI Greg Milne said, “In 2024 and beyond, we believe entrepreneurs from all backgrounds will play an even greater role in shaping – and helping us win – some of the largest fights we face, like climate change, economic inclusion, health equity, and more.”
Applications for the CGI Fellowship Program are currently live, and the application deadline is March 15, 2024. Selected applicants must be 18 years or older, and those set will be notified by April 2024. The fellowship will begin in May, ending in early 2025.