President Bill Clinton and Douglas L. Becker, CEO of Laureate Education, announce Laureate’s Commitment to Action initiative at the Clinton Global Initiative Asia in Hong Kong.
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. At its Annual Meeting and at events throughout the year, CGI gathers government officials, business leaders, and nonprofit directors from all over the world, creating opportunities for them to collaborate, share ideas, and forge partnerships that enhance their work. To fulfill the action-oriented mission of CGI, members devise practical solutions to global issues through the development of specific and measurable Commitments to Action.
Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together nearly 150 current and former heads of state, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,900 commitments, which have already improved the lives of nearly 300 million people in more than 170 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $63 billion.
Laureate has sponsored CGI Annual Meetings since 2008 and actively participated in special events sponsored by CGI. At the 2011 CGI America jobs-creation meeting held in Chicago, two Laureate executives, Dr. Karen Gersten, President of Kendall College, and Dr. Cynthia Baum, Executive Vice President of Walden University, contributed to working groups on workforce development and building the healthcare workforce.
At the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), Laureate served as a sponsor and facilitated the participation of 12 students from the following Laureate institutions:
Read the announcement:
April 2011 -- Laureate International Universities Sponsors 12 Students at Fourth Annual Clinton Global Initiative University Event
At the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Laureate announced a Commitment to Action: a $10 million funding partnership with the International Youth Foundation to operate a total of 13 YouthActionNet® institutes by 2014, which will reach 500 new social entrepreneurs, 600,000 new program beneficiaries, and 10,000 youth leaders during the 2011 to 2014 commitment period.
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2010 Laureate and IYF YouthActionNet® Program Commitment at The Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting
At the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative Asia meeting in Hong Kong, Laureate launched an international scholarship initiative named in honor of Richard W. Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education during the Clinton Administration and a champion of making higher education accessible to those in need. The announcement was made by former President Bill Clinton and Douglas L. Becker, Laureate's chief executive officer. Laureate announced plans to award 1,000 Richard W. Riley scholarships to deserving teachers around the world to help them earn an advanced degree in education, business, or information technology.
“These scholarships are named in honor of Richard W. Riley for his global contributions to the field of education and to Laureate,” said Mr. Becker. “Our global network of universities will grant more than 1,000 scholarships to teachers around the world because we know that teachers have a tremendous impact on the lives of students and families and the positive development of society. Providing highly deserving teachers with advanced education empowers them to effect positive change and to make their communities stronger.”
Read the press release:
Laureate Education Launches Major Teacher Education Commitment at Clinton Global Initiative Meeting
Richard W. Riley, Former Secretary of Education
Richard W. Riley served as United States secretary of education from 1993 to 2001. Secretary Riley also was named one of the 20th century’s “Ten Best Cabinet Members” by Time magazine. During his tenure as secretary of education, Mr. Riley spearheaded initiatives to improve academic standards and expand college grants and loan programs. In 2008, Walden University, a member of the Laureate International Universities network, named its college of education for Richard W. Riley. The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University is one of the largest and most prominent teacher education institutions in the United States.
“Education is a roadway, not a destination. You never finish, and you have to appreciate the excitement of the travel.” --Richard W. Riley
Laureate's Commitment to Action is shared throughout our network. To see the list of Laureate Institutions offering Richard W. Riley scholarships, visit Laureate's founding Commitment to Action page.