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The best of humanity comes in crisis, says heroic chef Andrés at Clinton conference

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HELPING HAND: World Central Kitchen team mobilized in response to 2022 Pakistan floods
World Central Kitchen/WCK.org Team

News
September 27, 2024
by Maura Kelly

More than 2,000 participants from over 80 countries gathered in New York this week for the 2024 annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), strategically timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, from climate change and health disparities to gun violence and humanitarian crises, CGI provides an essential platform for collaboration and action between leaders across sectors.

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“We cannot afford to see the world as it is. We have to think of it as it should be,” former President Bill Clinton said during an opening session for CGI participants.

Since returning in 2022 after a six-year hiatus, this year’s theme of “What Works” showcased effective strategies and scalable initiatives focused on global issues. The annual meeting saw the launch of more than 170 new partnerships known as Commitments to Action. These are specific and measurable projects that respond to a complex global challenge.

“You don’t look at problems and say it’s impossible,” Clinton said. “Instead you ask, what is possible? You keep going. Because you know that you always have some power to build a better tomorrow.”

Actor Matt Damon, a longtime advocate for access to clean water, provided updates on Water.org and its spinoff Water Equity, which aims to provide clean water and sanitation to vulnerable populations. “When you see the difference water can make in a community – the joy it brings – there is nothing else like it,” he said passionately, calling for further investment in water infrastructure.

NASA Administrator Senator Bill Nelson opened day two with a powerful reminder of NASA’s role in combating climate change. “I don’t need a telescope to see the effects of our climate crisis,” he assured. Nelson emphasized the urgency of collective action, stating: “The climate crisis is a challenge we can no longer ignore; requires the full involvement of all sectors of society.”

In a conversation with journalist Katie Couric and conservationist Jane Goodall, World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés celebrated the unifying power of food. Andrés emphasized that crises “showcase the best of humanity,” citing the joint efforts of Israeli and Gazan chefs working together to feed those in need on both sides of the border, illustrating how compassion transcends conflict.

Later, Samantha Power, a USAID administrator who grew up in Ireland and moved to the United States at the age of nine, joined former President Bill Clinton to announce the commitment to the $140 million effort, the “Partnership for a Lead-Free Future.” The project’s goal is to eliminate lead poisoning in children in developing countries. This initiative promises to improve health outcomes for countless children around the world and represents a significant step towards protecting vulnerable populations from environmental threats.

The day ended with a panel with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an exiled Belarusian political activist, and Yulia Navalnaya, who continues to fight for democracy after the tragic death of her husband Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison earlier this year. Their discussion highlighted the courage of advocates for justice under oppressive regimes, shedding light on the ongoing struggles many people face.

Maura Kelly is an Emmy Award-winning producer and media, communications and marketing specialist. She is a prominent member of the Irish-American community in New York and supports the work of the LEAP Women’s Leadership Program.

Maura Kelly
Director | Media | Marketing | EMMY Award-winning producer | Member of the Management Board. CENTER: