Former President Bill Clinton’s annual philanthropy gathering has become a must-attend event for many leaders in philanthropy, business, and government, and this year is no different.

Scheduled speakers include President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation co-chairs Bill and Melinda Gates; Partners in Health co-founder Paul Farmer; Google chief executive Eric Schmidt; and Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus. 

Those speakers and many others will discuss issues including empowering girls and women, the role of for-profit microfinance organizations, expanding access to modern technology in poor countries, protecting the world’s forests, and a range of other topics.

As in past years, many foundations, businesses, and donors are priming philanthropic commitments to be announced at the gathering. The Chronicle will be sharing information on new projects and grant commitments on this blog.

Among a few of the early announcements:

• Qatar Foundation International unveiled an online platform by which past participants in its exchange programs for Arab and American youths can continue to connect and discuss global issues.
• The United Nations Foundation is broadcasting a series of 30-second videos in Times Square on girls’ education, malaria, peace and security, and other global issues. Toshiba, the technology company, donated the advertising airtime, estimated to be worth nearly $1-million.