Edinburgh to host global student gathering
Former US President Bill Clinton has announced that Edinburgh has been chosen to host an international student event tackling some of the world’s major challenges.
He will visit the city with his daughter Chelsea Clinton for the 12th annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) meeting, which will take place at the University in April 2020.
This will be the first time the event will be held outside of the United States.
Developing world-changers
Launched in 2007, CGI U is a leadership development programme for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
More than 600 students from universities around the world will attend next year’s three-day event – which takes place from 17-19 April 2020 – with 100 students from Edinburgh taking part.
The group will meet world-leading experts, politicians and other influential individuals, to develop ways of addressing social, economic and environmental challenges that students face on campuses, in local communities, or globally.
Worldwide network
Those attending will join a network of more than 13,000 students from more than 1500 universities and 170 countries who have taken part in previous years.
Previous CGI U students have taken action on issues such as disaster recovery and response, civic participation, maternal health, and providing access to resources for migrants and refugees.
For twelve years, students from across the world have been working to change their communities and change the world through CGI U. CGI U is a platform for these up-and-coming student leaders to connect with experts, explore funding and resources for their projects; and inspire their peers. We are thrilled to join with the University of Edinburgh next year as we host our first-ever international CGI U meeting.
Apply to CGI U
Students who wish to take part must submit a detailed plan for their Commitment to Action – a social impact project that addresses a specific problem that they have identified in their application.
Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a higher education institution when they submit their application.
We are delighted to host the CGI University’s first international meeting. We are looking forward to working closely with the student leaders and CGI who share our deep-seated commitment to making a difference. It will be a great opportunity for student delegates to connect with our world-leading experts and research, learn from one another, and begin to make their mark on the world.
Year-round opportunities
In addition to the three-day event, there will be opportunities for the selected students to engage with the CGI U programme throughout the year.
Opportunities include events with global leaders, mentorship programs and access to funding and sponsorship.
I am looking forward to our 2020 meeting in Edinburgh, and excited about the year-round resources and programming that will now be available to hundreds of student leaders each year as they build life-changing Commitments to Action.