CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Former president Bill Clinton will speak in Chicago Thursday, about fixing the economy at the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting at the Sheraton Hotel.
He gave the opening remarks at 10 a.m. for the second annual meeting, discussing ways to support the nation's economic recovery.
"We are here because we believe that every person's life has worth and dignity and should have the chance to be developed," Clinton said. "We are here because we believe the severe under-utilization of human and capital resources and inequality ... are severe constraints on growth here and around the world."
Clinton urged those attending the two-day Clinton Global Initiative America event in Chicago to invest in projects that will create jobs. The goals of the meeting, he said, were to share ideas in the areas of housing recovery, education, clean energy and employment for returning war veterans.
He called the lack of jobs for the nation's veterans, "an unconscionable, unfathomable problem."
The Clinton Global Initiative brings leaders from all over the country to come up with ways to get people back to work, restoring confidence in the economy.
Clinton has been in Chicago frequently as of late, working with his former senior advisor, now the Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel. The mayor will participate in a panel with Clinton focused on jump starting the economy.
The Global Initiative includes executives from business, government, education and philanthropy, preparing Americans to be globally competitive.
The event has attracted high-profile participants like CNN host Fareed Zakaria, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Clinton's daughter, Chelsea Clinton. Other attendees include the CEOs of major corporations and charities and the mayors of Philadelphia and San Diego.
Business leaders used the conference to announce philanthropic efforts. J.B. Pritzker, managing partner in the Pritzker Group, announced a project to invest in early childhood education. The Swiss banking and financial services group UBS announced a loan program for small businesses that includes mentoring and advice to help them succeed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
