ODAC Attends Clinton Global Initiative University 2023 Conference
Nashville, Tennessee (3/3/23) – The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) hosted their annual meeting from March 3rd to March 5th, 2023 at Vanderbilt University. The first in-person iteration of the conference since 2019, students were welcomed from across the country to visualize solutions to pertinent global challenges. The 15th gathering of CGI U encouraged collaborative problem-solving by offering plenary sessions, skill workshops, and lectures by international business leaders and politicians. ODAC applied and was selected to participate; Chirag Ram, Alexander Fraser, and Diya Cherian attended the conference as the first part of a year-long mentorship program featuring CGI U alumni.
CGI U 2023 began with speeches from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Dr. Chelsea Clinton, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Chancellor of Vanderbilt University Daniel Diermeier. Consistent throughout the lectures was a message of youth empowerment, international cooperation, and optimism towards the future. Speakers drew from personal experiences to highlight the ways in which young leaders could visualize solutions to international problems. In a conversation with Pete Buttigieg, Hillary Clinton encapsulated the principal theme of CGI U 2023’s opening night. “Your generation is so poised to exercise more influence about the decisions we make for our future,” Clinton told the audience. “You are more inclusive. You are much more tolerant.”
The second and third days of the conference were dedicated to town halls and lectures that aimed to engage students in dialogue about leadership and innovation despite adversity. One such event, titled “Building a More Inclusive Community at Work,” featured presentations by leaders from private and public spheres. Venture capitalist Melissa Bradley spoke about creating pathways for individual and collective advancement for marginalized groups in a professional environment. Discussing the demoralizing effect of being a minority seeking to enter a majority white occupation, Bradley commented, “Do not allow whatever you see to determine where you think you can be.”
In addition to professional speakers, CGI U invited 74 student participants from among the audience to display their work on the showroom floor. Chirag Ram, founder of ODAC and student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, presented the achievements of his non-profit. Ram affirmed the success of the event, noting the willingness of other attendees to share ideas and provide him with feedback. “...[CGI U 2023] was just a really powerful weekend with lots of varying activities and lots of learning ,” Ram said. “It honestly inspired lots of ideas for me…about how we can take ODAC forward.”
Having welcomed around 800 students and additional speakers, CGI U 2023 was another successful endeavor to inspire and unite young minds.