Hult International Business School has announced that the theme of its 2nd annual Global Case Challenge is the global clean water crisis. In partnership with Water.org, the international competition will crowd-source innovative ideas and solutions from the world’s top students across five international cities: Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai and Shanghai.

As a Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) member, the Hult Global Case Challenge has committed to working with fellow CGI member Water.org to tackle one of the world’s most pressing social issues. Water.org was selected from among the 1,800 “Commitments to Action” made by the world’s top organizations dedicated to world change. Water.org was chosen because of its pioneering efforts in the clean water space – including its WaterCredit initiative, which facilitates small loans for water and sanitation access.

“It’s exciting for us to partner with such an internationally focused organization. We expect the event to provide a platform for crowd-sourcing some really innovative ideas and solutions to help solve this truly pressing global challenge,” says Gary White, executive director and co-founder of Water.org.

The event will consist of two phases: a regional and a global final. On March 5, 2011, at the regional events, more than 100 student teams of five from the world’s top academic institutions will compete to develop innovative ideas and solutions to help Water.org.

The winners of each regional competition will move on to compete in an all-expense-paid global final in New York City on April 30, 2011, co-hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative. At the final event, the participating teams will present their refined solutions to a panel of executive judges. Water.org will receive a $1 million donation from Hult International Business School, which may be used to help see the winning team’s solution implemented.

Applications to participate in this event now are being accepted, and registration forms can be filled out on-line by visiting: www.hultglobalcasechallenge.com.

Students have the option of competing at any of the five locations.