Surviving is hard but oh so much fun (sometimes)
During the “holidays”, that is for the students, Rotaract West Club did not meet but many joined the Rotaract Sanlitun meetings. Recently we met in TUCTUC, the Thai restaurant in front of De Refter and QMex in Sanlitun.
Pretty lively meetings with our Sanlitun President Peter (or Petre if you prefer). And wide mix of nationalities. See the meetings of 1 and 29 August.
Diane (our French girl from Toulouse) was here in Beijing for a short internship but attended many of our Rotaract meetings. With her permanent smile and lively humor she made a lot of friends, so we decided to have a surprise farewell party for her. Preparation was typically chaotic at times through a special and “secret” Wechat group but it all ended up just great, despite a last-minute unannounced thunderstorm.
She was feeling not that upbeat because she thought nearly nobody would turn up for a drink.
We finally settled for Beer Mania, as it was a special evening: the 11th anniversary of Beer Mania, the birthday of the owner Thierry and the drink for Belgians in Beijing. And the Belgian bar also launched a promotion of 11 Belgian drafts, some being new.
As it happened it was also the birthday of our Rotaractor Sophie.
Diane was, well, totally taken aback with the whole setup as so many turned up.
Needless to say, beer flowed pretty well, music was great with the disk jockey and Thierry kindly provided a cake.
Great evening thanks to all who joined, and Thierry.
On 12 September another well attended Rotaract meeting in TUKTUK (Sanlitun).
This time an extra: Diane, our French Rotaractor who leaves us soon gave a slide presentation of her home town Toulouse, France.
Always new faces, this time we had several newbies from South Korea.
See the other post of the surprise farewell party for Diane.
On 30 August 2016 we had as guest speaker in our Beijing Rotary Club Mr. Ralf Fücks, with the topic: “Green Growth, Smart Growth – A New Approach to Economics, Innovation and the Environment”.
The background (or call it teaser) was to be as follows:
How can we change the patterns of economic growth away from growing at the expense of ecosystems to a new paradigm based on growth with nature?
We are living in an age of economic growth which has helped countries and societies to develop and to become more prosperous. Yet, the old model of growth based on fossil energies has proved to be environmentally destructive and is reaching its natural limits. Climate change, air pollution, massive losses of fertile soil and increasing water crisis in large parts of the world indicate an urgent need for action if we don’t want to jeopardize the livelihoods of future generations.
This is why a fundamental change is needed: A new paradigm based on growth with nature and not against it. Decoupling economic growth from an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of limited natural resources has to be a first important step. Establishing new indicators for measuring prosperity as well as changing our consumption patterns are equally important. This is a global challenge. Solutions have to be global too, involving a plurality of actors that range from politics and sciences to private business and civil society.
In his speech, Mr. Ralf Fuecks, Co-President of Heinrich-Boell-Foundation, and author of the book “Green Growth, Smart Growth” elaborated why this is not only an ambitious goal, but also how it could be achieved.
Well, let me be a bit disappointed for two main reasons:
First of all I failed to understand what real solutions he is proposing, except for the obvious. So, I learned nothing new.
Secondly I look at how the “public” reacts in awe to the whole speech as if “finally” they got the important message. Oh well seems most never read my book (or did not get the message). And yes, I propose solutions in my book. Like we say in Belgium (and I guess in other countries): “You are never a prophet in your own country”. Seems that applies to our little circle too, so I never had to give a talk. Yeah I know, I grumble a bit…
We finally got the pictures from the Chinese photographer about our Saturday 25 June Charity Gala Event, in the Vivid Bar.
See here my very personal selection, downsized and most pics edited.
See the earlier post:
Rotaract Gala Event: see what you missed!