Making the world a better place one project at a time, 1,000 times over.
That's the goal of a major gathering of college students from all over the globe who have descended on San Diego for the weekend.
It's the fourth annual Clinton Global Initiative University Conference -- the nonprofit namesake of former President Bill Clinton, who's keynoting the first session Friday evening.
It's meant to be highly inspirational, because for the 1,100 college students from 90 countries, there's a lot to be pessimistic about.
"But when I'm in a crowd and I hear people clap when they think things are good and things are improving, that's when I get the most empowered," said Melissa Etehad, a UCSD sophomore. "And that's when I know things specifically can get better out of that situation, and feel more empowered to make a difference."
All of these students have committed themselves to projects that advance humanity, social conditions and/or the environment.
They bring a wide array of learning and technology to the table. The Clinton Global Initiative Foundation awards grants to help some of them get started.
The former President and his co-sponsors see these gatherings as promoters of peace and harmony.
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"To the extent that they understand each other, this means that there will be peaceful collaborations and consultations and perhaps we can avoid this multiple-site war problem that we seem to be getting into," said UCSD chancellor Marye Anne Fox, Ph.D.
This conference runs through Sunday and is drawing news coverage from around the world. Clinton will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the RIMAC Arena.
Also on the program: Chad Hurley, the co-founder of YouTube.
