{"id":4238,"date":"2021-08-03T13:48:41","date_gmt":"2021-08-03T13:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalchangeecology.com\/?p=4238"},"modified":"2021-08-03T13:48:43","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T13:48:43","slug":"gce-summer-fete-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalchangeecology.com\/2021\/08\/03\/gce-summer-fete-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"GCE Summer F\u00eate 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year between July and August, the GCE programme hosts current students, alumni, professors of the program, and friends as they all come together to celebrate, network, and learn more about each other\u2019s cultures at the Summer F\u00eate. Given the cancellation in 2020, this year\u2019s event was particularly anticipated \u2013 and it certainly delivered a great experience for all who attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our group gathered on a fair July 24th<\/sup> afternoon. The event kicked off with a speech by Programme Head Carl Beierkuhlein, emphasizing how the extreme floods in Germany and the pandemic are related to climate change. As we continue to see connections between events like these, it becomes even clearer how global changes are compounding to aggravate negative effects for all. The Global Change Ecology Master Programme, with its interdisciplinary nature, is uniquely positioned to address these changes at the interface of environment, ecology, and society. Now more than ever, committed individuals from all over the world and their work are essential to solving these current and future ecological problems. In a way, the F\u00eate serves not only as a celebration of the GCE programme and its people, but also as a reaffirmation of this mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Summer F\u00eate is also a great opportunity for exchange between current GCE students and GCE alumni, who can shed a light on what they are doing, tips for the best outcome in the programme, and career prospects. Fortunately, some alumni were able to join us this year. Moreover, this gathering marked the presence of three generations of GCE coordinators: Volker Audorff (the first coordinator), Stephanie Thomas (current coordinator), and Anja Jaeschke (former-coordinator). Unfortunately, Sylvia Spr\u00f6dhuber, current coordinator alongside Stephanie, was absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo 1: Volker Audorff, Stephanie Thomas, and Anja Jaeschke<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A lot of effort is invested in the making of the Summer F\u00eate (Cheers to the Student Board for organising it!). This year, we dove into Mexican culture with the Pi\u00f1ata Workshop, which was led by GCE 2020 Diana Pineda before the date of the Summer F\u00eate. The final pi\u00f1atas were then filled with sweets and brought to the event. Blindfolded students and professors took turns trying to hit them in an attempt to release all the goodies. It was an interactive moment that provided good laughs and plenty of fun (as well as candy!) to everyone. In order to level our Latin game up, we followed up this activity by learning some salsa moves with dance teacher Dewi Krijger and GCEs Diana, Gabriela, and Elena Wiese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo 2: Pi\u00f1ata game<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photo 3: Bailando during the Salsa Workshop<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

And who thought that GCE students only thrive in academics? Think again! The get together also made it possible for students to perform, and we got beautiful presentations from GCE 2020 students Elena Wiese and Mira Rodrian, who sang and played the guitar. Songs with important messages about the planet \u2014 and of course a couple of pop hits \u2014 made the atmosphere at the F\u00eate even more cosy, as everyone enjoyed the music and sang along with the girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo 4: Elena and Mira performing a duet<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

International cuisine is another highlight of the F\u00eate. Everyone volunteered to contribute a dish, and many took the opportunity to share a piece of their culture by bringing a dish from their home country for all to try. Additionally, the event also offered a barbecue with vegetarian and vegan options, in order to be inclusive for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability, culture, good food, dances, and great people made this long-awaited GCE Summer F\u00eate special. The opportunity to engage in intercultural exchange with old friends and new, all connected via a shared desire to better the world, was the gold of the F\u00eate. As the end of the event approached, everyone pitched in to clean up, exchanging smiles at the acts of contribution and the satisfaction of making the 2021 GCE Summer F\u00eate one to remember.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every year between July and August, the GCE programme hosts current students, alumni, professors of the program, and friends as they all come together to celebrate, network, and learn more about each other\u2019s cultures at the Summer F\u00eate. Given the cancellation in 2020, this year\u2019s event was particularly anticipated \u2013 and it certainly delivered a […]<\/p>\n

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