Surviving is hard but oh so much fun (sometimes)
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!
Looking back at May 2016, Rotaract had some interesting events:
On 21 May the volunteers visited a school to mingle with kids with hearing disabilities. Pictures again talk for themselves!
On 23 May in the Smokeyard we had Ian Curtiss, a past Rotaract president who spent some time working with Amcham in Beijing and who is returning to the USA.
He gave us a very personal and motivating talk about his personal experiences. Ian we will miss you!
We also got a souvenir from an earlier Rotaract meeting in 2013, at the time in The Local, also showing Ian and many who have left us since then.
If you were there, see our lovely memories!
Yes, too bad if you missed, the coolest young people of Beijing coming together (over 100) on Saturday 25 June for the Charity Gala Event, in the Vivid Bar, on the rooftop of the Conrad hotel. We were lucky with the weather, after a scorching day it cooled down a bit and no rain!
It was a PARTY FOR A CAUSE to enjoy finger food, free flow drinks (Belgian beer from Vandergeeten, red and white wines from CHEERS, soft drinks and more). It was an an evening of fun with two live DJ’s, raffle drawings, sales of special T-shirts and a Masquerade party!
Proceeds are going to Morning Tears and MCF (Migrant Children Foundation).
It was a blast! See the pics, the beautiful girls and ladies, and the handsome boys! (yeah and some “mature” people from the Beijing Rotary Club.
It was sponsored by Vandergeeten, Cheers, Vivid Bar, UPLI (fitness), Beijing Victory Advertising; prizes from Beer Mania, The Tree, Morel’s Restaurant, Hilton Hotel, Frederic, myself and others.
It was hosted by Rotaract Beijing West and Rotaract Club of Beijing, all did a great job, after weeks of intense preparation it was a success and people already as “When is the next one?”. So, no names here to mention as it was a real team work of many enthusiastic young people.