The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University has announced a “Commitment to Action” stemming from its participation in the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).
The CGI was established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton to inspire, connect and empower a community of global leaders to forge solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. In June 2011, the initiative hosted CGI America, the first meeting focused exclusively on economic recovery and job growth within the United States. Leaders from businesses, nonprofits and all levels of government participated in the two-day event in Chicago.
Mike Haynie, IVMF executive director and Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship in SU’s Whitman School of Management, was invited to lend his expertise to the CGI’s “Operation Employment: Empowering America’s Newest Veterans” working group.
An integral part of the CGI is the commitment process, where CGI participants create Commitments to Action—concrete plans to address a major national or global challenge. Since CGI’s founding in 2005, members have made more than 1,900 commitments, which have improved the lives of nearly 300 million people in more than 170 countries.
The IVMF has committed to develop and launch a multi-faceted educational program over the next 24 months to increase economic advancement of veterans and their families. This comprehensive initiative aims to reach 2,000 people directly and will include a portfolio of integrated programming elements that, taken together, will contribute to:
1. increasing access to education for veterans and their families;
2. facilitating success of veterans and their families in higher education; and
3. educating veterans, families and industry on best practices related to recruiting, assimilating, retaining and advancing veterans in the civilian workforce.
To learn more about the commitment, visit the IVMF’s Clinton Global Initiative commitments page.
Founded in 2011 through a partnership with JPMorgan Chase, the IVMF at Syracuse University is the first national center in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and their families post-service. Through the pillars of educational programming, employment and actionable research, the institute provides in-depth analysis of the challenges facing the veteran community, captures best practices and serves as a forum to facilitate new partnerships and strong relationships between the individuals and organizations committed to making a difference for veterans and military families.
