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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University has become a member institution of the Clinton Global Initiative University, an organization launched by President Bill Clinton to bring together student leaders from around the world.

The program has five focus areas:  education; environment and climate change; peace and human rights; poverty alleviation; and public health.

By becoming part of this network, OSU can send student leaders to the organization's annual meeting, which includes student leaders and organizers, national and international experts, and some celebrities. The next meeting will be at Arizona State University in March, 2014.

Invited students develop "Commitments to Action," which are new, specific and measurable initiatives that address challenges on their campus, in their community or on a larger national or global scale.

Laurie Bridges, assistant professor and librarian at OSU, worked closely with Vice Provost for Student Affairs Larry Roper to involve OSU in the CGI University Network. OSU's emphasis on sustainability, entrepreneurship and social justice ties perfectly with the focus of the program, she said.

"I feel the CGI U is in perfect alignment with the mission and goals of our university," Bridges said. "Promoting economic, social, cultural and environmental progress is part of OSU's mission, which CGI University does on a global scale. Through the education they receive at OSU, our students are being prepared to be strong change agents in the world."

OSU has committed $10,000 for students who participate in CGI University, part of which is offered as seed money for some of the initiatives they propose. The university will also provide support and mentoring to participating student leaders and entrepreneurs.

For more information see http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org