The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) announced the proposal to launch a new organization that would support Ukraine in rebuilding and provide humanitarian aid to those Russia's 18-month-long invasion has impacted.
Officials at the CGI 2023, held in New York, announced the CGI Ukraine Action Network and several other financial pledges. The projects are part of efforts to support nonprofits in Ukraine, as the two-day annual conference begins on Monday.
Clinton Global Initiative
The newly proposed organization, which will be formally announced on Tuesday, was designed to mobilize existing CGI partners and other leaders worldwide. It would create and finance new commitments for Ukrainians.
The development is a collaborative effort between the former secretary of state and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022. As per Fox News, Moscow's military armed forces have occupied areas in the region, destroyed its infrastructure, compromised its energy grid, and shelled schools and civil locations.
Many of the political, business, and philanthropic leaders who attended the recent CGI hope that the newly-announced organization will be able to provide the nonprofits working in Ukraine a spotlight to magnify their impact and increase monetary commitments towards their efforts.
Save Ukraine, a nonprofit that opened community centers across the nation to support families, particularly children traumatized by the war, and rescue Ukrainian children detained in Russia, is set to receive commitments of support during the CGI conference.
The nonprofit organization's spokeswoman, Olga Yerokhina, said it plans to use the money it receives to open more centers. She added that they have to work hard and ask for assistance from other countries.
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Supporting Ukraine, Other Issues
According to The Hill, US public officials are also expected to appear at the conference, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Additionally, Pope Francis is set to attend the conference and will discuss climate change with former United States President Bill Clinton. Other high-profile individuals participating in the CGI conference are basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Google President Ruth Porat, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Guyana President Irfaan Ali.
In his remarks, the Pope urged everyone to do their part in addressing the world's problems, particularly climate change and the care for children. Through a translator, the pontiff said there is a great need for a shared assumption of responsibility in the world.
Pope Francis said that no challenge is too great if everyone starts with personal conversion and contributes to solving the issue. The CGI's theme for this year is "Keep Going," and it comes as the Clintons and the Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton said that they would convene leaders to build on the momentum of the return of the conference after a six-year hiatus, said the Associated Press.
