Clinton sets sights on inspiring Asian philanthropy

By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bill Clinton will take his philanthropic summit to Hong Kong next year, hoping that Asians will keep issues such as poverty, health and climate change on the agenda as economies from India to China grow rapidly.

On Wednesday, the former U.S. president kicks off his third annual Clinton Global Initiative in New York, rubbing shoulders with everyone from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.

And at a meeting that rates action over talk, he will push those attending to commit to do good, hoping to build on $10 billion of pledges made in the first two years of his summit.

Ben Yarrow, a spokesman for Clinton, said next year's Hong Kong summit is "to spark the same spirit of philanthropy and engagement in the business community in Asia."

"The idea is to have a truly global initiative," Yarrow told Reuters. "Given the explosion of growth in several Asian economies and the rapid pace of development in the region it made perfect sense to host a separate event in Asia."

At this year's New York meeting, Yarrow said Clinton will unveil www.mycommitment.org, a database of about one million volunteer groups globally to help people find a way to do good in their own communities.

Clinton will also target U.S. university students in a discussion with rock star and activist Bono, comedian Chris Rock and singers Alicia Keys and Shakira, to be aired by MTV.

This year's three-day brainstorming session is set to attract more than 1,200 people from 72 countries -- including 52 current and former heads of state, celebrities, aid workers and company chiefs.