The Clinton Global Initiative University, part of the William J. Clinton Foundation, will begin to challenge the university community to tackle global problems with practical solutions this March.

“Young people have proven that they are committed to change the world,” said 42nd President Bill Clinton in a conference call Wednesday, Feb. 13. “We want to highlight what young people are doing.”

The 2008 inaugural meeting will take place March 14 to 16 in New Orleans at Tulane University. New Orleans was chosen as the location of the CGI U because of Hurricane Katrina and the recovery efforts.

“The U.S. will not be whole again until we make good on our commitment to the people of New Orleans,” Clinton said.

“We were attracted to this project for two reasons: the emphasis on service and action, and also because we have a great respect for President Clinton,” said Scott S. Cowen, President of Tulane University, who was a participant in the conference call. “After Katrina, [we] significantly increased our commitment to civic engagement by becoming the first major research university to require public service as a requirement for graduation.”

The meeting will focus on four key issues: energy and climate change, global health, human rights and peace, and poverty alleviation. The goal of CGI U is to turn ideas into meaningful action. At the end of the meeting, attendees will have the chance to participate in service learning opportunities in New Orleans, through recovery efforts in the neighborhoods.

“We have the power to change and improve the world,” Clinton said.

When asked what global issue college students could have the most impact on, Clinton said that “the biggest impact is made right where you live if you do something to make your university completely carbon neutral . If all colleges and universities did so, it would reduce carbon emission by 6 or 7 percent, and it would give everyone something to do right there, right then.”

In answering a question about how to get students more proactive toward these issues, Clinton said, “Every college and university should have its own non-governmental organization with its own charter. Students should think of this as another part of their education. I’d like to see universities brand their non-governmental organizations the same way they brand their sports teams and see students more excited about joining the NGO, rather [than] a fraternity or sorority.”

Students interested in attending the CGI U meeting can apply at CGIU.org. Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 18.