Dr. David J. Skorton, president of Cornell University, first introduced the idea of a new initiative emphasizing the international development of human capacity through the dissemination of university research, teaching and outreach at his first commencement address to the graduating class of 2007. Since then, the idea has inspired several conversations between Dr. Skorton and other academic leaders and institutions looking to effect change, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. He is also participating in the upcoming Higher Education Summit for Global Development with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Administrator for USAID Henrietta Fore, the goal of which is to develop strategies to establish new and enduring higher education relationships for international development. These conversations help to galvanize the issue of eradicating international socioeconomic inequalities.