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Clinton Summit Pulls in Billions

Norway, Netherlands, Brangelina vow to help

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 27, 2007 7:19 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Over 1,000 philanthropists pledged billions of dollars at this year's Clinton Global Initiative, where the ex-president annually brings together world leaders, corporate biggies and change-minded celebs. Angelina Jolie plans to educate 1 million children in conflicted areas; Brad Pitt pledged $5 million to build homes in New Orleans, and Norway and the Netherlands promised $1.2 billion to save the lives of pregnant women and babies in Africa.

"We're faced with complex problems that government is either not solving or cannot solve," said Clinton in opening remarks at a Manhattan hotel. Attending the summit costs $15,000, and members have to make pledges and honor them if they want repeat invitations. Since its inception in 2005, the initiative has drawn more than $10 billion in pledges.

Actress Angelina Jolie participates in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Actress Angelina Jolie participates in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton, right, answers a reporter's question during a meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, left, at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Nicholas Roberts, Pool)
Former President Bill Clinton, right, answers a reporter's question during a meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, left, at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007...   (Associated Press)
From left, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, actress Angelina Jolie, Minister of Education of Afghanistan Mohammed Haneef Atmar, education activist Valentino Achak Deng and President of Colombia Alvaro Uribe participate in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP...
From left, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, actress Angelina Jolie, Minister of Education of Afghanistan Mohammed Haneef Atmar, education activist Valentino Achak Deng and President of Colombia...   (Associated Press)
President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, left, and Mohammed Haneef Atmar, Minister of Education for Afghanistan, right, meet with former President Bill Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Chip East, Pool)
President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, left, and Mohammed Haneef Atmar, Minister of Education for Afghanistan, right, meet with former President Bill Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual...   (Associated Press)
Actress Angelina Jolie participates in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Actress Angelina Jolie participates in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)
Actress Angelina Jolie participates in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Actress Angelina Jolie participates in a panel discussion during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)
Actor Brad Pitt speaks before a panel discussion on energy and climate change during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, is focused on finding ways to solve some of the world's most pressing problems including...
Actor Brad Pitt speaks before a panel discussion on energy and climate change during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through...   (Associated Press)
Primatologist Jane Goodall speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Primatologist Jane Goodall speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)
Ted Turner, Chairman of Turner Enterprises, Inc., speaks during a panel discussion on energy and climate change during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, is focused on finding ways to solve some of the world's...
Ted Turner, Chairman of Turner Enterprises, Inc., speaks during a panel discussion on energy and climate change during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York....   (Associated Press)
Actor Brad Pitt speaks before a panel discussion on energy and climate change during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, is focused on finding ways to solve some of the world's most pressing problems including...
Actor Brad Pitt speaks before a panel discussion on energy and climate change during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through...   (Associated Press)
Former Vice President Al Gore speaks during a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, is focused on finding ways to solve some of the world's most pressing problems including poverty and climate...
Former Vice President Al Gore speaks during a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York. The conference, running through Friday, Sept. 28,...   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Former President Bill Clinton speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)
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Clinton Global Initiative
Clinton Global Initiative

 
philanthropy • Africa • Angelina Jolie • pregnancy • Brad Pitt • New Orleans • Bill Clinton • Netherlands • Norway • infant mortality • charity • donation • Clinton Global Initiative

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