102nd Aurelio Peccei Lectures & Dialogues
Gratitude event for Mark Dubrulle
25 October 2019
in the presence of CoR-EU Honorary President Herman Van Rompuy,
President European Council emeritus
and Sandrine Dixson-Declève,
Co-Chair of Club of Rome
“The Greening of Europe: A Journey through 50 years Environmental Action”
by Mark Dubrulle, President Emeritus of the Club of Rome EU Chapter
Venue :
Royal Academy of Belgium,
Hertogstraat 1 rue Ducale,1000 Brussels.
With the kind support of European Public Policy Advisors, Brussels office.
Nearly 100 members and non-members of the Club of Rome - EU Chapter attended the gratitude event in honour of Mark Dubrulle, dedicated President for 3 consecutive 3-year terms, and since June 2019 President Emeritus of our EU Chapter.
Mark was firstly introduced by Guido Decouvreur, his companion, co-worker and above all friend, who stressed the importance of a philosophical approach (announcing the Club of Rome’s ’New Initiatives of New Civilizations’) when dealing with the environment.
Herman Van Rompuy then sketched a balanced portret of Mark describing « the non- conformist having many friends in the establishment, struggling with the dilemma between ethical idealism and/or political realism, being neither a fundi nor a flat realo. Someone who remained an activist, the advocate of a cause, a man with a mission, who brings people together ».
Mark took us on an attractive and very informative journey that summarized 50 years of environmental history, combining a conference, a testimony of key events and personal comments that gave us all food for thought.
(The presentations of Mark and of Herman Van Rompuy are here-attached)
Mark’s lecture ended with warm applause followed by a distribution of gift and flowers to celebrate both Mark and Maggie, the “woman behind the man”.
It was clear to everyone that someone who wrote: “the ecological situation in Europe and the world is more catastrophic than ever BUT we cannot disarm, we cannot give up” will continue to fight for a better future for our children and grandchildren.
That’s why we organized an exchange between Mark and the younger generation to discuss how the positive forces can be brought together to achieve the results we know we need so much.
Florian Schildheuer from Junior Enterprises Europe and Isabella Florio from JE Global joined Mark on stage for a pleasant and constructive discussion confirming the importance of having the future decision-makers, conscious of the urgent need of sustainability, benefitting from the experience and knowledge of seasoned experts.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-Chair of the Club of Rome, closed the event with a inspired speech based on the strength of uniting all generations to work on what should be our new “moonshot”, simply and clearly “the saving of our planet”.
All guests were able to thank Mark personally for his work and network during a friendly walking dinner hosted by EPPA.
