Make It Right Foundation panel discussion on the reconstruction of the Ninth Ward

One of the most engaging speakers at Clinton Global Initiative was Dierdre Taylor, who is a Make It Right Homeowner in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. Brad Pitt who was quite humble, spoke about how shocked he had been months after Hurricane Katrina and how little had been done by the government. So he and others founded the Make it Right Foundation to build green, clean and affordable homes using the most efficient technologies and building construction and, Diedre, a hospice worker and single mother of two, was one of the first home owners.

Dierdre held her own on stage with Brad Pitt and President Clinton sharing her joy of living in a modern, solarized house which she owns and pays a mortgage of $400 pm and a monthly electricity bill of $50. Her daughter no longer suffers asthma as she did in their house that was washed away. She had everyone laughing as she described her dual commode flush toilet with two moons – one a half moon and one a full moon. Dierdre left it to the audience to figure out what that meant.

CEO of Kristine Pearson with former President Bill Clinton, announcing Lifeline Energy commitment

Written by Kristine Pearson

Former President Bill Clinton opened today’s session on Investing in Girls and Women by stating “Women perform 66 percent of the world’s work, and produce 50 percent of the food, yet earn only 10 percent of the income and own 1 percent of the property.” He continued to say “Whether the issue is improving education in the developing world, or fighting global climate change, or addressing nearly any other challenge we face, empowering women is a critical part of the equation.”

Shortly after President Clinton’s opening, we had the opportunity to announce our commitment to distribute self-powered Lifeline radios and new clean energy Lifelights to poor women and girls in Rwanda, which will directly benefit 20,000 people. The Lifelights will enable women to extend their business hours and the radios will enable the women and girls to access health, literacy, and practical skills, as well as agricultural advice.

Investing in Women and Girls panel

The session was moderated by Diane Sawyer and featured Robert B. Zoellick, President of The World Bank Group, Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women International, Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil and Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group.

Watch our CEO Kristine Pearson live with former President Bill Clinton and ABC host Diane Sawyer at 9am EST/2pm GMT http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/webcast

You can also get the latest updates by following or twitter.com/FreeplayFound or twitter.com/ClintonTweet

President Obama at CGI

Former US President Bill Clinton Opening CGI

Written by Kristine Pearson

What a thrilling opening session when President Obama joined former President Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative! I’ve seen President Clinton speak many times, but this is the first time that I’d seen President Obama in person. I thought his words spoke to everyone reminding us of the beauty of service,” that anyone can do it and everyone should try.” In the 1,000 strong audience were more than 60 current and former heads of state, business leaders, civil society leaders, philanthropists, and celebrities included Matt Damon, Barbra Streisand, Ben Stiller and Goldie Hawn.

New York, September 21, 2009…. Freeplay Foundation announced today that it has been chosen as a featured organization at this week’s meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. The Foundation has pledged its intent to integrate the award-winning Freeplay Lifeline radio and new clean energy Lifelight into a program benefiting 20,000 extremely poor women and girls across Rwanda.

Rural women and girls will gain reliable, on-demand access to radio and Internet information and renewable lighting via solar-powered and wind-up Lifeline radios and Lifelights. Participants will be able to access health, literacy and economic development information, as well as agricultural advice and practical life skills information. LED Lifelights provide both focused task illumination and ambient area light. The women and girls will be able to undertake after-dark small businesses such as weaving and beading, and they can study and walk safely at night.

The Honorable James Kimonyo, Republic of Rwanda Ambassador to the United States, champions Freeplay Foundation’s commitment to action.

“Freeplay Foundation is a proven NGO in Rwanda and I fully support their pledge,” said the Ambassador. “Children breathe in toxic fumes and damage their eyes when they study to kerosene lamps and candles. Light is needed in every situation after seven o’clock, and our students will never become properly educated if they can only study under these unhealthy conditions.”

To read the rest of the News Release, please visit our Media Centre.