Alvin Chitena Attends Clinton Global Initiative University Conference

2017 Nov 1

Alvin Chitena was one of several Wesleyan University students and recent alumni to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Conference in Boston, Oct. 13-15. He spoke about his organization, ZimCode, which provides Zimbabwean youth with free access to resources they need—computers, internet access and instruction—to learn computer programming and how to apply their new skills in their community.

Gary Yohe, the Huffington Foundation Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, accompanied the students at the conference, and Makaela Kingsley '98, director of the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, worked with each of the Wesleyan students on developing their organizations.

"I often encourage students to attend conferences and meetings that will help them broaden their networks and perspectives, meet new people, and 'road test' their ideas. It takes initiative and guts to get off-campus and shake hands with strangers, but the return on that investment can be huge," Kingsley said.

Building upon the success of the Clinton Global Initiative, CGI U is grounded in the belief that no one is too young to make a difference and requires all student participants to take concrete actions to solve global challenges. Since its first meeting, CGI U has brought together more than 8,700 students from more than 940 schools, 145 countries and all 50 states.

Throughout the meeting, students engaged with leading experts, advocates and innovators in major plenary and smaller topic-based sessions on issues facing young people and the world today.