Bill, Hillary Clinton to speak at Global Initiative University meeting at Vanderbilt

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Former President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and others will speak at the 15th-annual Clinton Global Initiative University meeting at Vanderbilt University this week.

CGI University aims to foster and empower a community of university students taking action to address challenges in their communities.

The meeting, held March 3 - 5, marks the first time the group has met in person since the COVID-19 pandemic. A host of executives, authors, academics and activists will join the Clintons to "bring together aspiring leaders and global experts in business, public service and social impact to develop innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges," according to a news release.

Sessions will address climate change, reproductive rights, health equity, post-pandemic recovery and alternative education in crisis-worn areas.

Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton will speak at a community town hall Saturday morning.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Nashville Mayor John Cooper are also expected to participate. Nashville Council member at large Zulfat Suara will be one of several speakers in CGI University's Story Studio, sharing stories of innovation around widespread challenges.

The meeting will close Sunday with a "Day of Action." Students, alumni and volunteers will partner with Hands On Nashville for several community projects including:

  • Food distribution with Second Harvest Food Bank

  • Preparing flashcards and school supplies with PENCIL, a nonprofit benefiting Metro Nashville Public Schools

  • Clearing land for a new cultural center with the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee

Participating students will also announce measurable "commitments to action" outlining programs to address community challenges during the event.

Since CGI University's inception in 2007, more than 11,800 university students have used Clinton's philanthropic model to launch more than 8,000 programs, impacting all 50 states and more than 160 countries. Corporate and university partners have contributed more than $4.5 million to these programs.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bill, Hillary Clinton to speak at Clinton Foundation event at Vanderbilt