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'Growth and Comfort Never Co-Exist': Clinton Global Initiative Panelist

By Daniela Cambone of Kitco News
Monday September 22, 2014 2:20 PM

New York City (Kitco News) - Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened Monday's 10th annual Clinton Global Initiative program, hosting a discussion with World Bank Group president Jim Yong Kim and IBM's CEO, Ginni Rometty.

This year's theme, Reimagining Impact, requires world leaders to reimagine the world and be unafraid to do so and ask themselves hard questions, said the Former U.S. Secretary of State.

"Too often we don't go the extra steps, to make sure people feel welcome and feel encouraged to engage," Clinton said. "It is somewhat distressing to see how hard change is [and] when I am talking about this, I also am talking about developed countries.”

Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State (left) kicks off the 10th Annual Clinton Global Initiative program, hosting a panel discussion with Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM (middle) and Jim Yong Kim, president World Bank Group (left).

Rometty agreed stating "Growth and comfort never co-exist."

Since its inception ten years ago, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has developed more than 2,800 Commitments to Action, improving the lives of 430 million lives worldwide. It convenes global leaders to create and implement solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. This year’s annual meeting, held in New York City, includes topics on women's issues, poverty and fighting ISIS.

Kicking off the panel discussion, Clinton questioned Rometty and Kim and asked how they see the future.

"Both of you have taken big legacy institutions and tried to lead them in a different process. How do you keep going?"" Clinton said.

Rometty, the first female leader of IBM, responded by saying it is about making progress everyday and having a very clear view of the future. Rometty's pillars for moving forward include not protecting the past, never being defined by your product and thirdly, always transforming yourself.

She also spoke about opening more doors for women, "It is good for business and good for our country, because it involves 50% of the population."

The leader of big blue also stressed the importance of engagement and ways to drive that engagement. "I would challenge that social technologies are out there and leverage on this - that is your way to unlock and expose." The CGI has granted access to information technology to 35 million people worldwide.

On that note, Rometty said there are people who will say 'I'm drowning in information,' the key she said, is to make it digestible.

The 12th president of the World Bank, Dr. Kim agreed and stressed data needs to be accessible for everyone. "Every problem we have, somebody somewhere out there has solved it."

On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton closes the conference hosting a panel with philanthropist Melinda Gates on empowering women and girls.

The annual CGI gathering draws CEOs, world leaders, celebrities and donors, many of whom Clinton may lean on if she runs for President. Among this year’s scheduled attendees at CGI are actor Matt Damon, Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors; John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems Inc.; and Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

'Growth and Comfort Never Co-Exist': Clinton Global Initiative Panelist

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