World-Changers – Bill Clinton’s CGIU

WOW!

I just watched former President Bill Clinton rock the house at Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU), in a live streamed interview with panelists who are changing the world in every corner.

The opening session, "What's the Big Idea? Powering Innovation on Campus and Beyond," featured President Clinton; Chad Hurley, co-founder of YouTube; Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Greg Lucier, chairman and CEO of Life Technologies; and Jessica O. Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Unchartered Play and co-inventor of sOccket. The session also featured opening remarks by Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated and Marye Anne Fox, chancellor of the University of California, San Diego.

Go to CGIU.org to read more about this amazing initiative.

Jessica O. Matthews is a young woman who, along with three girlfriends, has created the Soccket – a soccer ball that harnesses energy while playing. She was a psychology major. She said she & her friends went to engineers to share their idea & get help creating it, but they were told it wouldn't work. So, they decided to create it themselves. Not only is it working, President Clinton thinks enough of it to bring it to global attention! Ms. Matthews said, in essence, "Don't assume that because you aren't trained in a certain area, that you don't have an idea that will work. Sometimes not being trained prevents you from having the obstacles that could block a great innovation!"

Chad Hurley, of YouTube, said just "trying" puts him in a position to make a difference. He doesn't have to have all the answers. He just has to initiate. "If friends think the idea is crazy, you're probably onto something!", he says.

This is what leadership looks like. Inspired & imperfect. And it's world-changing.

"Young people today have more power to effect change than any generation that has come before," President Clinton said. "Since CGIU was founded in 2008, students and organizations have made more than 3,000 commitments which have improved the lives of thousands of people around the world. These students are taking action to solve the great global challenges of our time – and they are inspiring others to make a difference as well."

Clinton challenges us to use social media to spread great ideas, to get above the trash gossip & share things that can make a difference in the lives of others.

I don't know about you, but I'm IN!

 

 

 

 

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