Post by jo on Nov 17, 2015 23:04:33 GMT -5
For two days the world is converging on our shores as world leaders who are members of the Asia Pacific Region discuss economic cooperation ( coming from areas like the USA, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Russia, Japan, China, Austraiia, Southeast Asia and many others).
Among them is President Barack Obama, shown here in a seeming pensive mood while in a quiet moment watching the sunset over Manila Bay --
Coming directly from the troubled spot of the middle East ( he was in Turkey for G-20) and Europe, one expected to hear more of the security problems now causing the international community to touch base.
But what I did not expect is to chance upon one of the sessions which looked forward and tackled another current world problem but which is now becoming a real challenge - that of climate change!
President Obama gave a keynote address on CLIMATE CHANGE in a special forum for businessmen. But that was not what caught my attention! After his speech he moderated a discussion with two representatives from Asia. The first one was arguably the business face of China - Jack Ma whose ALIBABA company has challenged the leadership in internet commerce of companies like AMAZON and EBay. He is also involved in other entrepreneurial businesses, and he has landed on the cover of FORBES. The other member of the discussion who held her own was a lady Filipino engineer who is known for her contribution to social entrepreneurship, for having invented a salt-powered lamp that can be used in remote areas ( several teaspoons of salt, chemically processed with other ingredients, can power a lamp for eight hours and can be used to charge a cellphone). Imagine how this invention can be very useful in areas like remote mountain communities that cannot be reached by electricity!
The discussion was very engaging, almost compelling, as President Obama tried to broker a business relationship between an innovative investor and an innovative inventor! Excellent discussions, laced with light moments. The trio represented major economic sectors - the developed economy of the West, the economic power of Asia and also a leading driver of the world economy, and developing countries like the Philippines.
The issue of climate change was likewise addressed as this represented an alternative source of energy and also highlighted the cooperation needed between innovator and investor.
I never thought I would enjoy listening to what I thought would be a dull session!
On the lighter side, people ( actually the ladies) here are agog over Justin from Canada ( not Beiber, who is also Canadian and has given a free concert for the people affected by the typhoon Haiyan) -- but a slightly older one -- the new Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau
...Although he is challenged in the affection of the lady media members by the president of Mexico 
I think the different note injected in this session makes looking forward to a world beset with tragedy at the moment more positive and oriented towards the future!
Jo
Among them is President Barack Obama, shown here in a seeming pensive mood while in a quiet moment watching the sunset over Manila Bay --
http://instagram.com/p/-Ln75sNNNr
Coming directly from the troubled spot of the middle East ( he was in Turkey for G-20) and Europe, one expected to hear more of the security problems now causing the international community to touch base.
But what I did not expect is to chance upon one of the sessions which looked forward and tackled another current world problem but which is now becoming a real challenge - that of climate change!
President Obama gave a keynote address on CLIMATE CHANGE in a special forum for businessmen. But that was not what caught my attention! After his speech he moderated a discussion with two representatives from Asia. The first one was arguably the business face of China - Jack Ma whose ALIBABA company has challenged the leadership in internet commerce of companies like AMAZON and EBay. He is also involved in other entrepreneurial businesses, and he has landed on the cover of FORBES. The other member of the discussion who held her own was a lady Filipino engineer who is known for her contribution to social entrepreneurship, for having invented a salt-powered lamp that can be used in remote areas ( several teaspoons of salt, chemically processed with other ingredients, can power a lamp for eight hours and can be used to charge a cellphone). Imagine how this invention can be very useful in areas like remote mountain communities that cannot be reached by electricity!
The discussion was very engaging, almost compelling, as President Obama tried to broker a business relationship between an innovative investor and an innovative inventor! Excellent discussions, laced with light moments. The trio represented major economic sectors - the developed economy of the West, the economic power of Asia and also a leading driver of the world economy, and developing countries like the Philippines.
The issue of climate change was likewise addressed as this represented an alternative source of energy and also highlighted the cooperation needed between innovator and investor.
I never thought I would enjoy listening to what I thought would be a dull session!
On the lighter side, people ( actually the ladies) here are agog over Justin from Canada ( not Beiber, who is also Canadian and has given a free concert for the people affected by the typhoon Haiyan) -- but a slightly older one -- the new Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau
...Although he is challenged in the affection of the lady media members by the president of Mexico 
I think the different note injected in this session makes looking forward to a world beset with tragedy at the moment more positive and oriented towards the future!
Jo