Bill Clinton Will Close 2008 CGI Meeting Today

Today's sessions will feature speakers Wangari Muta Maathai, Rick Warren, Muhammad Yunus, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, among many others. I will not be live-blogging these last sessions. Watch for upcoming stories from me about the many ideas and generous commitments that have come from this year's meeting.

President Clinton will conclude the 2008 CGI Annual Meeting today following sessions featuring new commitment announcements and panel discussions which, as has occurred during the course of the entire 2008 meeting, will focus on devising solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI members have made nearly 1,000 Commitments to Action valued at upwards of $30 billion to improve more than 200 million lives in over 150 countries around the world.

TODAY'S PLENARY SESSION: The Global Impact of Rural Innovation

In today’s society, where technology enables people to connect with one another instantly, it is hard to understand why poor, rural regions around the world continue to face persistent challenges in isolation. To reconcile these inequalities, many individuals, organizations, and businesses are actively addressing education, economic development, energy opportunities, and other vital needs. From the development of alternative-energy technology to implementation of economic development initiatives, persistently impoverished rural communities are developing in ways that can be scaled to address global challenges. This panel will include leaders who are driving innovations that serve rural communities and can be applied around the world.
Program Participants:

Jacques Aigrain, CEO, Swiss Reinsurance Company
Steve Gunderson, President and CEO, Council on Foundations
Wangari Muta Maathai, Founder, Green Belt Movement, Kenya
Elsie Meeks, President and CEO, First Nations Oweesta Corporation
Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church
Muhammad Yunus, Founder and Managing Director, Grameen Bank

I'll be blogging other stories and updates this coming week. I've enjoyed my time here at this annual meeting and look forward to letting my readers know what I learned and answer some of the questions I've been asked.