中国欧盟经理人协会 EU-China Managers Association

The 8th EUCMA Charity Gala Dinner “Give A Helping Hand” in cooperation with Operation Blessing China and supported by the EC Delegation in China and China Charity Federation held on 21st May at the “SuperGanBei” restaurant of UCCA in 798 Art District, gathered together more than 150 high-level company representatives from various business sectors, institutions, independent sponsors and organizers to raise funds for orphans and disadvantaged children all over China. Not by chance the event was also honored by vast media attention as already for eight consecutive years it marks one of the most important activities of the EU-China Managers Association focused on developing a social responsibility among the companies operating and doing business in China. Mr. Peter Maize, China Regional Director of Operation Blessing China, Mr. Alessandro Celestino, the EUCMA President and Mr. Chris Brooke, President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis gave an exclusive press conference for the media to mark the opening of the event.

To have a quick look back in the history of how it all started: the EUCMA Charity Gala Dinner was launched in 2000 by a group of young professionals, participants in the EU-China Managers Training Programs co-funded by the EU Commission. Since its inception, the EUCMA Charity Gala Dinner has been an increasing success, with sponsorships on the rise each year. So far the initiative has raised more than 4 million RMB and impacted more than 3200 children.

This year the total amount of funds raised from the main sponsors like Nokia, CB Richard Ellis, Clear World Energy, Airbus and Areva exceeded 615,000 RMB. Apart from these, the raffles sales with various prizes for the guests at the evening raised additional funds, which also will be added to the whole contribution for the orphans. All these funds will be used for life saving operations, improving life conditions and everyday needs supply for disadvantaged children all around China.

The gala dinner was opened in a full hall by the welcoming speech of Mr. Stephan Baertges from the EC Delegation in China, followed by Mr. Peter Meize from OB China and EUCMA President Mr. Alessandro Celestino.

Unlike the previous years the event was held in a very artistic surrounding at the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art, thus promoting the art works and reminding everybody that a Charity Gala Dinner can serve various purposes at the same time and thus adding an increased value to its initial meaning.

Apart from the stylish and original atmosphere the guests enjoyed the carefully chosen courses by the French chef Eloi de Fontenay and were entertained by the live dance and music performances of Mr. Iakovos Fostiropoulous (METP3) & Ms. Mo-Mo, Ms. Cordula Stepp with Beijing Conservatory of Music and the rising young pop singer Lucios Clark. The last dedicated a special song to the orphans titled “If You Believe”.
The smooth proceeding of the whole evening would not be possible without the special devotion of Mr. Henk Bolmeijer and Ms. Rose Quan acting as MC, both METP3 participants and also EUCMA members.