Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi once said, “You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing, there will be no result.” This week, there is nothing about the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) that suggests a “do nothing” attitude.
As the first day of the conference kicks off, members are making new commitments and forging ahead to improve the world for millions of people. With the event in full swing this week, and news that President Barack Obama will attend, we thought we’d take a look at highlights and progress of 2009 commitments, which amounted to 284 initiatives and a hefty $9.4 billion in member pledges.
Since its founding in 2005, CGI has provided the framework for its members to make more than 1,700 Commitments to Action, valued at $57 billion, improving more than 200 million lives in more than 170 countries. Last year, members committed themselves to work toward solutions in four major areas: energy and climate change, education, global health and economic development. Also, CGI introduced special topics including global investments in women and girls and supporting earthquake recovery efforts for Haiti.
Would Gandhi be proud of results from 2009′s CGI? You bet. Here are some of the achievements stemming from CGI commitments over the past year:
Economic Development
- More than $680 million committed by banks, including Deutsche Bank and Citi, to more than 100 microfinance institutions worldwide.
Global Health
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and United Nations Foundation committed $8 million to engage football teams and heroes, celebrities, health and advocacy organizations, governments, corporations and the public to commit their personal and institutional power, assets and relationships in anticipation of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa and dramatically accelerate progress against malaria.
- Thirty million people will be treated through the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases Control‘s “rapid impact” treatment packages.
- Nearly 1.2 million patients in Africa received emergency and primary care via International Medical Corps‘ mental health services in conflict-affected regions.
- About 100 million liters (more than 26 million gallons) of safe drinking water have reached nearly 716,000 African children with help from Proctor and Gamble.
Energy and Climate Change
- Almost 66.7 million gallons of diesel fuel have been saved because Wal-Mart worked with suppliers to change product packaging.
- More than 2.5 million trees planted in Afghanistan to support sustainable farming and income generation via the Global Partnership for Afghanistan.
Education
- Intel, Intel Foundation, 10×10 and Laufer Green Isaac provided resources to adolescent girls in the developing world by creating and distributing a film and social action campaign that amplify the ripple effect of change that occurs when governments, corporations, communities and individuals invest in girls education.
- While I Grow Up provided free access to 10,000 North American schools allowing 2 million low-income kids to access its Web channel and social network.
- Habitat for Humanity provided shelter for 1,500 families in extreme poverty.
- International Action and Matt Damon‘s Water.org delivered clean and safe drinking water to 400,000 Haitians.
- SunNight Solar Enterprises committed to providing 500,000 portable, solar-powered lights to 2.5 million Haitians.
Women and Girls
- Merck and QIAGEN N.V. launched a major, new partnership to prevent cervical cancer in the poorest countries of the world.
- Sustainable Health Enterprises committed to provide eco-friendly sanitary pads and health and hygiene education for a million girls and women in Africa by 2012.
- One hundred young women in the US benefited from the ING Foundation and Girls Inc. Investment Challenge, an innovative, hands-on, investing experience where the girls can keep their gains and turn them into college scholarships.
- Hathay Bunano developed 22 handicraft production centers in Bangladesh to provide training and employment for 2,000 women. The women knit and crochet, producing export-oriented toys for the global market.
This small sampling of commitments is only an appetizer for what was accomplished from CGI’s 2009 initiatives. You can see and search more 2009 commitments at the CGI Website.
Photo courtesy of Elliotng on Flickr