by Allison Woods | Apr 23, 2010 | News Slider
Clinton Global Initiative University brings college students together to discuss the problems plaguing the modern world. This year’s conference was April 16-18 at the University of Miami. John Podesta, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, moderated a panel on change in the American community. The Center for American Progress’ Campus Progress has a web magazine covering the issues important to college students and allowing their voices to be heard. And these were the types of initiatives discussed during this panel. A variety of panelists spoke about their causes and the importance of community change, starting where you live. Marisol Becerra — a Chicago college student — worked with an environmental justice organization called Little Village while still in high school. As a college student, she raises awareness in her community about pollution and toxins emitted by local factories. Tim King started an all-boys public school in 2002 called Urban Prep in downtown Chicago. His goal was to address the college education rates for African-American young men. One in 40 African American men will complete college, he said, but Urban Prep has a 100 percent acceptance rate into college for its students. “We don’t want college to be a way to get out of the hood,” King said. “We want it to be a way to come back and work to fix the hood.” Bob Dixson, the Mayor of Greensburg, Kan., spoke of what has happened in the rebuilding efforts since his city was flattened by a tornado in May 2007. In rebuilding, the city is using all green technology and sustainable methods. “Green to me meant 1968, tie-dye shirts,...
by Allison Woods | Apr 23, 2010 | News Slider
Clinton Global Initiative University brings college students together to discuss the problems plaguing the modern world. This year’s conference was April 16-18 at the University of Miami. The Clinton Foundation started Clinton Global Initiative for world leaders to gather and address common issues, and three years ago a conference was added to include college students and their concerns. Former President Bill Clinton started Clinton Global Initiative University to bring college students together to address global issues through commitments to action. Groups submit projects aimed at tackling pressing issues, either in their community or even globally. The Wal-Mart Foundation provides grants for projects in conjunction with the conference. Projects can be submitted in five areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation and public health. The highlights of the weekend were the plenary addresses, each on a specific topic. Clinton opened with his address on social imagination and innovative leadership. “The most important thing is an idea and a strategy to implement that, turning good intentions into positive changes,” Clinton said. Clinton said he is aware of the gap between what the private sector can do and what public institutions can provide. And trying to figure out how to fill the gap is a major reason for Clinton Global Initiative University. “The goal is to create global networks for the public good by private citizens,” Clinton said. “You aren’t intimidated by complexity,” Clinton said, noting how he believes college students can make the difference. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin then describe how she was influenced to practice medicine by working her way through college, providing health care in a small clinic in her hometown of...
by Jake Morgan | Apr 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” In case you’ve lived under a rock this year, IJM is the newest social justice club to hit the Lipscomb scene. International Justice Mission (IJM) is an international nonprofit that battles injustices like slavery, sexual exploitation, and violent oppression around the globe. As Lipscomb University’s Campus Chapter, we are called to be the hands of feet of IJM right here in Nashville. Our goal is to increase awareness, raise funds, and lift prayer for our brothers and sisters suffering from injustice. Since launching in fall of 2009, LU’s IJM Campus Chapter has taken on a variety of projects to give a voice to the voiceless. You may have noticed events like The Silent Movement, a BYOiPod silent dance party right outside of the Gathering one fine Tuesday morning, or the Human Wrong Benefit Show just before Spring Break. Thanks to the collaborative works of IJM, SGA, and Campus Ministry, students were able to send advocacy emails to their congressmen, snag some free food, and earn chapel credit while taking in some of Nashville’s finest live music. 100 students also designed their own tie-dye IJM advocacy t-shirts. So the next time you see someone walking around with the word “enslaved” or “sold” across their brightly colored shirt, don’t hesitate to start up a conversation! Then there was the triumphant finale of IJM’s first year at Lipscomb. On Saturday, March 27, LU’s IJM Campus Chapter joined forces with chapters from Belmont and Trevecca to host the first...
by Jake Morgan | Mar 22, 2010 | Opinion
On February 5th, 2010 I hopped off a plane in Guatemala City. As our team of eight loaded into our rental trucks only a few things were certain – The air was warm, I was hungry, and we were definitely not in Nashville anymore. After grabbing our first traditional Guatemalan meal at Burger King (“Rey de Hamburguesa” for our Spanish speaking readers), we began our four-hour trek northbound across the country to reach the mountain city of Coban. From what little I understood we would be spending the next two days working with the Kechi Mayans in the heart of Guatemala’s Ulpan Valley. As our caravan pushed further north, the landscape quickly changed from rolling hills to dry desert to the towering mountains of the Baja Vera Pas. If you’ve never driven in Guatemala, it’s hard to comprehend this ride is like. Basically, picture the worst mountain road you’ve ever experienced. Then, cut it down to a two-lane highway loaded with semis and logging trucks. Oh, and from my understanding, it takes at least seven policemen to issue a speeding ticket in Guatemala. This translates to all rationality of a speed limit going right out the window. So, here we are, driving at breakneck speeds down this winding two-lane highway, passing semi trucks while praying no one comes darting around the next corner. Consider it a religious experience. After somehow arriving safely in Coban, we took advantage of our quick journey and got a good night’s rest. The next day we would make the journey into the Ulpan Valley, also known as “The Corridor of Death.” When I had...
