|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
Seeking Sustainability at the JCI European Conference
JCI members in Europe raced to combat malaria, studied sustainability and tapped into the JCI network.
More than 1,100 people from 43 nations gathered at the Radisson Blu hotel in Aarhus on June 9 for the 2010 JCI European Conference in Denmark. Chaired by 2010 JCI Executive Vice President Bertolt Daems, the event closed out the Conference season looking towards the future.
Business for a Better World
The Conference Organizing Committee (COC) drew on a wealth of connections within the business and public sectors to land several high-visibility keynote speakers for the 2010 European Conference. Speakers from corporations and businesses included Soeren Hermansen, director of the Samsoe Energy Academy; Leif Jensen, CEO of VKR Holding; Preben Mejer, Managing Director of Innovationlab; Kim Klastrup, Senior VP of Corporate Brand Development for Grundfos and Lars Kolind, Chairman of the Grundfos Foundation.
The keynote speakers addressed the sustainability theme of the Conference, with presentations on renewable energy, efficient buildings and innovation. Lars Kolind’s speech entitled “Sustainability as a Business Strategy” highlighted many of the points central to JCI’s CSR program. A brief description of the presentation reads, “Profit is a means, not an end. The real purpose of business is to contribute to a better world, to make a difference in people’s lives.” Delegates took the message of making a difference to heart throughout the 2010 European Conference.
Racing to Combat Malaria
Many Conference delegates took the opportunity to make a difference while having fun with the JCI European Conference Duck Race Against Malaria on June 12. Tickets with numbers corresponding to those on rubber ducks were sold to participants and the ducks were released on to Aarhus River. While the race winners walked away with cash prizes, all participants walked away knowing they had helped a great cause, whether they won or not. After all the tickets had been counted and prizes awarded, the Duck Race Against Malaria raised around €10,000 for JCI Nothing But Nets.
JCI President Roland Kwemain, who collected the winning ducks on the river, celebrated the success of the race. “JCI Nothing But Nets is such an important cause,” said President Kwemain, “I am happy that there are JCI members like these in Europe who find a way to make raising funds and awareness fun.”
Rewarding Progress
The fun continued at the Awards Ceremony, where the best and brightest in Europe were recognized for their hard work in making a difference in the lives of others. Local and National Organizations from across Europe shared in the awards, with no organization dominating the recipients list. The strong efforts of JCI Turkey were evident in their awards, which included Best Youth Activities Program, Best New Chapter of the World (JCI Bahcesehir), Best Membership Recruitment Program (JCI Kadikoy) and Most Outstanding Chapter President for Organizations with 51-100 members (JCI Izmir).
JCI Germany also made a strong showing with JCI Bayreuth winning the Best International Collaboration Program, JCI Freiburg winning the Best Environment Development Program and JCI Frankfurt am Main scoring the Most Outstanding Chapter President award for Organizations with 101+ members. The widespread distribution of awards will encourage hard work and tough competitions throughout Europe in the years to come.
Europe in the Future
During the General Assembly, the location of the 2012 European Conference was voted on by National Presidents and Chief Delegates. JCI Braunschweig in Germany produced the winning bid and members are excited about the opportunity to host their European counterparts in 2012. JCI Monaco also submitted a tentative bid intention for the 2013 European Conference, which will be voted on in Tarragona, Calalonia, Spain next year.
JCI members in Europe are also eagerly anticipating the 2011 JCI World Congress in Brussels, Belgium. This November, however, members from throughout Europe will be converging on Osaka for the 2010 JCI World Congress for more exciting opportunities to learn, grow and meet fellow JCI members. Register now for the 2010 JCI World Congress and don’t miss a minute of the action.
Browse through some of the photos from the 2010 European Conference in Denmark.
Go back
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|