Clinton Foundation Honors Joe Biden

President Joe Biden speaks after receiving the Clinton Global Citizen Award from former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting on Monday, September 23, 2024, in New York City (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott).

The Clinton Global Initiative honored President Joe Biden with their annual Global Citizens Award. Biden and former President Bill Clinton shared moments of gratitude, and love, and reflect on memories alongside their wives.

Article by Samara Kangethe, Junior White House Producer

NEW YORK - On September 23rd, The Clinton Global Initiative awarded President Joe Biden the 2024 Clinton Global Citizen Award.

Former President Bill Clinton founded his non-profit organization in 2001 called the “Clinton Foundation”. The Clinton Foundation has changed philanthropy by creating space for global leaders to develop solutions to global issues. 

Within the organization, Clinton has created a space for “doers”, as he would say, to be challenged and motivated to show up for their communities. Clinton named this space the Clinton Global Initiative and adopted a mission that calls for leaders to publicly commit to specific action that addresses big-ticket issues in their community.

This idea of commitment to action is imperative to the productivity of the foundation as it provides new specific and memorable projects and programs made to address pressing global issues. These programs can be considered a prime example of what to do to create positive global change.

The Clinton Global Award is annually presented to people who demonstrate visionary leadership, impact and sustainable and scalable work in global problem-solving. Recipients are typically chosen from government positions, civil society involvement, the private sector and the philanthropic community. This annual award was created in 2007 and has been an event where global leaders come together to honor each other's important work. Previous winners and facilitators include activist Malala Yousafzai, Dr Jean Pape and Alicia Keys.

This year, the Clinton Global Initiative chose President Joe Biden as their recipient to honor his work ethic, accomplishments and values. In his speech, Clinton reflected on old memories with his dear friend and colleague and admired Biden’s selflessness. The Clinton Global Citizen Award sets out to acknowledge the president's work in stepping up to make America better amid a global pandemic. Biden’s efforts to improve the economy, create more job opportunities, maintenance of global alliances and climate change policy resonate with the central missions of the Clinton Global Initiative.

When receiving the award, President Joe Biden reflected on common traits between himself and former President Bill Clinton. Biden recognized the strong-willed women they have both surrounded themselves with such as their wives and daughters. Biden specifically admired Jill Biden’s work in women’s health research. The president also shared his familial love and respect for the Clinton family and closed with a positive note and acknowledged his love of this country.

President Biden and Former President Bill Clinton’s dynamic on stage exemplifies unity and brotherly love. They are both family men, who have served this country for almost their entire lives. As it is President Biden’s last couple of months in office, this award serves as a meaningful tribute to his decades of public service. The warmth and unity displayed between Biden and Clinton on stage reflects the shared values that have driven both leaders throughout their careers.

In receiving this honor, Biden’s legacy of resilience, leadership, and compassion stands as a testament to the power of individuals working together for the common good. This event was not only a celebration of his contributions, but a time to honor and celebrate all global leaders; and a reflection of the lasting impact of strong, principled leadership in shaping the future.