RCEF's "Integrative Rural Education Program" announced a commitment to action at the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative in New York City. Gene Sperling, the chair of the Education Working Group, introduced RCEF's commitment to develop a localized professional development system for teachers in rural China.

"It is very helpful for RCEF to join the global CGI community as we work to expand quality education in rural China," said RCEF President Diane Geng. "The issues rural Chinese teachers face are similar to teachers the world over. RCEF looks forward to continued engagement with the CGI network to advance a world in which education can become truly student-centered."

Since 2005, CGI’s Annual Meetings have brought together more than 100 current and former heads of state, hundreds of leading global CEOs, heads of foundations and major philanthropists, directors of the most effective non-governmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,200 commitments valued at $46 billion. These commitments have already impacted more than 200 million lives in 150 countries. Commitments made at the 2008 Annual Meeting are expected to impact almost 160 million people.

A video of this announcement is available here: