CGI U 2009
The second annual CGI U Meeting brought together students, university presidents, nongovernmental organizations, and national youth organizations to create and implement Commitments to Action that can effect global change across five focus areas: Education, Energy & Climate Change, Global Health, Peace & Human Rights, and Poverty Alleviation. CGI U hosted this year’s meeting in conjunction with the student government at The University of Texas at Austin.
CGI U Meetings are arranged around plenary sessions, working sessions, skill sessions, and meet-ups, all of which allow members to interact with one another and formulate commitments and productive partnerships. For an up-to-date schedule of events, click here.
Whether discussing the education of marginalized social groups or the worldwide struggle against infectious disease, each session is informed by leaders from the university community, student activists, heads of leading NGOs, topic experts, and others who have created positive change in the global community. President Clinton was joined by program participants including: Nnamdi Asomugha, Ishmael Beah, Paul Begala, Matthew McConaughey, Natalie Portman, Luke Russert, Morgan Spurlock, and more.
In addition to the events on Saturday, many commitment-makers participated in CGI U Exchange, an exhibition allowing meeting attendees to learn more about the commitments and organizations present at the CGI U Meeting. On Sunday, CGI U members were encouraged to take part in a service project at the Rosewood Park and Community Center in East Austin, which allowed students to give back to the community of Austin.
To learn more about partnership opportunities, browse commitment examples, and find answers to frequently asked questions, click here.
Environmental Considerations at the Meeting
CGI U makes a concerted effort to ensure that environmentally friendly standards are integrated into every planning stage of the CGI U Meeting. At the 2009 meeting, CGI U is proud that were able to meet the following sustainable practices:
- All items meeting recycling standards that were disposed of in trash bins at meeting sites were recycled or composted. Items from the recycling bins at CGI U Meeting locations on the UT campus were taken to recycling centers in Austin by the UT recycling and sustainability department. The money from the recycling material is given back to the University of Texas Student Body to fund educational programming. In addition, cups supplied at water coolers were made with biodegradable corn-based plastic and dish-washing liquids were biodegradable and environmentally safe.
- CGI U gift bags distributed to all attendees are made from recycled yogurt containers.
- Program folders and inserts, commitment certificates, and many other event materials were printed on recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which ensures that paper is made from trees cut from independently certified, well-managed woodlands.
- CGI U strives to work with food and supply vendors with high environmental standards. The printer used to produce program materials holds FSC chain-of-custody certification, and the food service vendors are very environmentally conscious.
