The Tripod

Media Credit: Courtesy of Anne Bouthilette Anne Bouthilette with Brad Pitt. [Click to enlarge]

When most Trinity College students went somewhere warm to get a great tan during Spring Break, I decided to do something a little different. I headed to New Orleans, LA along with about 700 other college students for the first Clinton Global Initiative University Conference (CGIU).

The goal of CGIU is to encourage young people to help make a difference on a local, national, and global level. In the application process to CGIU, each person was asked to make a commitment to do something in one of four areas, ensuring that words would be put into action. Throughout the conference, and through a continuing relationship with the William J. Clinton Foundation, which, according to their Web site, (www.CGIU.com) works "To strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." Attendees were given access to a variety of resources to help implement their commitments.

Almost immediately after I stepped off the plane at the airport in New Orleans, I knew that it was going to be a very unique and amazing experience. A small group of about eight people had been on the same flight. We met each other as we waited for our baggage. On the Trinity campus I consider myself to be one of few people who take an active interest in formal and informal interfaith dialogue. So I was shocked to find out that three people from the group either worked for an organization committed to it or were active participants in it on their campuses. We immediately felt comfortable with one another, and the bus ride to the hotel was filled with friendly conversation.

The conference, though jam-packed with events of every sort, lasted only for one full day, with a brief event on Friday night and a service project on Sunday. Early Saturday morning, I met up with people that I had met the night before and had breakfast before going to hear former President Bill Clinton's opening remarks. The diversity of the attendees was immediately apparent, with students from over a dozen countries and more than 30 states. Each student had come with a different commitment, ranging from making a community more energy-efficient to sending backpacks filled with medical supplies to doctors practicing in Africa.

After the opening session, the day was divided into various plenary sessions devoted to specific areas. My first session was in "Global Health," followed by "Poverty Alleviation." There were experts on every issue, as well as several accomplished individuals who have started nonprofits that aim toward improving the lives of others in one area or another. At lunch we were divided by region and attended a meet and greet with other people who lived in our area that we could use them as resources in the future. By the final session of the day, I was exhausted but ready to usher in the night with dinner, a comedy performance, and a little New Orleans nightlife.

The most enlightening (and attractive) part of my weekend came on Sunday, when we went into the lower Ninth Ward to help with a community service project. The project is called "Make It Right" and was founded by Brad Pitt after Hurricane Katrina.

As I sat on the bus taking us from the hotel to the area where we were doing the project, it became immediately apparent that the further we traveled from downtown, the more damage from the hurricane was visible. Having never been to New Orleans before this trip, I was expecting to see damage all around, a city still reeling from the devastation. However, I found that the downtown area was wonderfully rebuilt, but there is still much to do in areas closer to the water and areas where people are less likely to spend money and generate revenue. When we arrived at our destination, the only thing we were able to see was the repaired levees and fields full of concrete blocks where houses used to stand.

As we worked to clear away debris so that the houses can be rebuilt, some of the contractors working on the site walked around and gave us information about the rebuilding and told us about all of the devastation. It was very interesting to hear the stories that people who were born and raised in New Orleans were able to tell us about the years since Katrina hit.

As we were busy with our project, Clinton arrived, as did Pitt. Both Clinton and Pitt walked the crowds, speaking to the students that were helping out. As they came around, I was able to shake Clinton's hand, as he talked with students about the work that was being done and the impact that young people can have on this world. Also, I too a picture with Pitt, as he shyly walked around and thanked people for coming out.

Looking back on the trip, it was the personal connections that I made with people that made it such a valuable experience. The panels were filled with experts who are accomplished in their fields, but what was most inspiring was finding other young people who are excited about making a positive impact in the world.

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