After a six-year break, the Clinton Global Initiative is reconvening in New York this week with a launch Tuesday of a major humanitarian effort in war-torn Ukraine.
The Associated Press reported that the initiative, called the “CGI Ukraine Action Network," will create and finance commitments to Ukraine from its global partners and new world leaders.
According to the report, the new network is the brainchild of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, and will be made up of “numerous monetary commitments” to the country.
“This year’s meeting will focus on what it takes to keep going — to maintain and advance progress, in spite of the difficulties that arise, and increase our capacity to cross the divides and make common cause with one another wherever possible to build a stronger future for all,” the Clintons said in a letter to the CGI community regarding this week’s conference.
In addition to Ukraine, this year’s forum will tackle the issues of climate change, healthcare, income inequality, and food insecurity, as well as “threats to democracy around the world” and record-setting refugee displacement.
“As always, the focus will be on what we can do, not what we can’t,” the letter read. “And will highlight how even seemingly small actions, when taken together, can turn the tide on even our most stubborn challenges.”
According to the foundation, CGI last year made more than 140 Commitments to Action designed to improve access to healthcare, advance sustainability, create employment opportunities, and support refugee resettlement.
Since the organization’s founding in 2005, it has launched a total of 3,900 action commitments worldwide, according to the foundation.
Elevate Prize Foundation CEO Carolina García Jayaram told the AP that she will be announcing the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award for 2023 after Nobel Peace Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai won it last year.
“One very important thing I love about CGI — and I think Malala really embodied it so powerfully — is the idea of making a real-time commitment on the stage and challenging the people in the audience, both in person and remotely, to do the same,” Jayaram told the news outlet. “And I think being in the room with so many changemakers and leaders who are making those commitments in real time is almost infectious. It catalyzes more and more people to do the same. That’s unique to the CGI formula.”