Distressing news about Clinton Foundation President Donna Shalala emerged at the conclusion of an annual event otherwise focused on the future — of impact, of sustainable development, and of the U.S. presidency.
Shalala, who became president of the foundation in March, suffered a stroke after the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting. “Initial reports are very encouraging,” according to a statement from President Bill Clinton and foundation co-chair Chelsea Clinton. The Clintons shared that Shalala was with colleagues at the time of the incident and was taken to the hospital for treatment. “Please join Hillary, Chelsea and me in keeping Donna in your thoughts and prayers,” they wrote.
CGI’s 10th year saw discussions of critical issues facing the development sector as it projects forward to 2030, the year by which world leaders have agreed extreme poverty must be made history. President Clinton urged attendees to focus on “trend lines,” instead of on “headlines.” That is at a time when the European Union is facing its worst-ever migration crisis, when conflicts persist and trap people in pockets of extreme poverty, and when climate change threatens to aggravate these problems. The overall trajectory for poverty alleviation, Clinton sought to remind CGI’s assembly of the rich, famous and influential, is good.