Caribbean-China eco-civilisation seminar sets the stage for innovative thinking | THE DAILY HERALD

SIMPSON BAY–Day one of the first Caribbean-China Eco-Civilisation seminar hosted by Caribbean China People Foundation (CCPF) and its partners held at Simpson Bay Resort on Thursday provided a platform to stimulate reflection from different perspectives and explore innovative solutions to entrepreneurship and the economy.

  The aim is to achieve a consensus for common action by gathering ideas from here and around the world, exchanging and communicating. The theme of the seminar is Innovative Solution to Economy and Entrepreneurship (ISEE).

  The seminar opened with addresses by Chairwoman of the St. Maarten Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Vice-Consul Sun Li of the Chinese Consulate General in Willemstad, and Promotional Association for the Global Youth Innovation Leaders Community PILC Executive Chair Zhu Lei. Welcome remarks were also given by University of St. Martin (USM) President Antonio Carmona Báez.

  “We need to recognize that innovations in general are thriving today in our borderless global community. … There are no borders where technology and innovation are concerned,” Wescot-Williams said in her welcoming remarks. “Our fragile eco-system is about balance and sustainability. Sustainability has become a global buzzword and it has to be taken into consideration in whatever we do.”

  Sun Li said this event not only has important practical significance, but also reflects the vision of its organisation. “Promoting ecological civilization depends on policies, innovation and cooperation,” he said.

  He shared the current visions of China. “China establishes a systematic and complete ecological civilization regime to protect ecological environment.  We have pursued green, circular and low-carbon development, and are developing spatial layouts, industrial structures and ways of work and life that help conserve resources and protect the environment. The achievements have been remarkable.

  “We take climate change seriously and have taken a series of policies and measures to address it. China has implemented part of the commitments of the Paris agreement three years ahead of schedule. The CO2 emission per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) has dropped by 46 per cent based on the year 2005 level. And China will deliver 100 per cent of its commitment by 2020.

  “The construction of ecological civilisation means changing the way of production and life, and means innovation. Innovation is the primary force driving development. We give priority to building a national innovation system.”

  Keynote speaker and PILC Executive Chair Zhu Lei talked extensively on the organisation’s aims to promote entrepreneurship, forming a community of young creative leaders on the premise of innovation and sustainable development and improving efficiency of financing new start-ups.

  He said there have now been four editions of the China Internet and College Graduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. In 2018, this competition attracted 2.65 million students with 650,000 projects. It also attracted international projects from 46 countries.

  Ameera Groeneveldt, the winner of the first St. Maarten version of the competition in July, was in the audience and took part in a discussion segment.

  Daily Herald journalist Alita Singh led a discussion and exchange on innovation and entrepreneurship, joined by Savaneta Consulting Group President Gregory Arrindell, Groeneveldt and Zhu Lei.

  During this discussion there was an interesting intervention from Damien Richardson of the Social Economic Council. He questioned why hurricanes are always taken in a negative light. “Why aren’t we looking at hurricanes as an industry from the positive side?” he asked. “How can we capture all that energy from the hurricane?

  “The project Energy Generator Shield can create infrastructure around the islands to foster different mindsets towards the future for resilience within the region. It will open the door not only for the regional problem but also for coastal problems from hurricanes and weather changes.”

  Another group discussed what can be done to improve the island economy. Participants included USM Divisional Head of Business and Hospitality Richard Bilderbeek, Sabine Berger of Show Me Caribbean and Tess Verheij of Waste Factory St. Maarten.

  Other speakers included former Finance Minister Richard Gibson Sr, Arthur Lugisse, and Jay Haviser.

  Haviser, taking an angle on heritage, noted the Chinese have been part of Caribbean society since 1820. “This new wave coming forth in a stronger way is all part of this consistent building of participation in Caribbean society. It’s part of our historical construction. I want to thank them for seeing the potential of St. Maarten to open doors for us,” he said.

  The first day concluded with a cultural performance by the Chinese Community School on the Dutch side. The seminar continues today.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83137-caribbean-china-eco-civilisation-seminar-sets-the-stage-for-innovative-thinking

LEAVE A REPLY