I’ve heard of them before, but I didn’t really have the opportunity to meet them...yet! When Laurent came to me asking for my help I jumped out of my hammock and said YES!
JCI is a bit like AIESEC but after university life, or at least that’s what I’ve been told. They have the same core values, a great mission and they also know how to party. This is the story of how I was invited as a guest star to the World Congress 2009 in Hammamet, Tunisia and how I were asked to help promote the Belgian candidacy to organise that same event in Brussels in 2011.
‘Sound’s like fun to me’ I thought when hearing the proposal. A new way to expand my boundaries, discover a huge global organisation and do what I do best: pose in front of the camera!
My journey started at Zaventem where we discovered that Tunisia airline is very picky regarding the weight of our luggage. Since I don’t like being considered as a big bulky bag, I decided to sneak in, or should I say sneak out of Belgium. Wasn’t actually a big deal, I’ve done it in the past, and I mean who notices a big blue Smurf like me?
Anyway, the Belgian delegation arrived to its destination and we met Marijke from JCI West‐Brabant and the others who directed us to our hotel. Thanks for the service. When we got to the bus we were immediately introduced to the local customs. We were supposed to buy some dried flowers and pay for the people to put our luggage in the bus. Nice habits...
Let’s fast forward a bit. On Monday, first day of the conference part of the team went to visit what’s left of Carthage. It seems that they didn’t expect to see so many nice ruins and they learned that Carthage has become a very nice suburb of Tunis. I had some other plans and decided not to join. Indeed, you do not build a powerful communication strategy while enjoying old vestiges!
The evening we had to go to the opening ceremony. That’s when we met for the first time the other delegations and were quite impressed with the size of the Japanese one – how many were they? 600?
The ceremony was nice, though a bit too long, so we Belgians decided it was time to show to the other countries what we call an opening ceremony! I remember at one time I saw a security guy in front of me asking me to turn around. He didn’t seem very happy with our unexpected roundtrip...
Well, we got noticed and that was the whole point. ☺
After the ceremony we went back to our respective hotels. The road was long and the delegations took different buses. This was the perfect opportunity for my holder Laurent, my personal photographer Ludovic and me to get acquainted with them. We jumped from one bus to the other and took many pictures of French, Syrian, Japanese and many other Jaycees. That was a lot of fun.
The next days were more or less the same to me. There were many training sessions available and a party every evening. I guess that Laurent and I didn’t really want to “study” and preferred networking. We took many pictures with the help of Ludovic Wellens and some cool interview movies. We learned about the local culture and people and enjoyed talking JCI business with others. It was indeed a lot of fun and it didn’t take much time to elect me as Smurfiest delegate of the conference; whatever it may mean.
Part of the Belgian also decided to visit the largest porcelain producer in Tunisia an apparently fifth largest in the world! I’m too clumsy for such places and decided to remain at the hotel and take a break. I heard afterward it was very interesting and the company makes amazing stuff; but you need to purchase at least 2000 pieces if you want to order there. Ouchh!!! No Nespresso porcelain glasses for me...
I particularly enjoyed the Belgian night, though it was extremely tiring. We had about 400kg of French fries imported from Belgium, many kilos of mayonnaise, a lot of local sausages and beer. Sadly we couldn’t import Belgian beer as the customs fee was way overboard. But it was fun, a lot of fun actually. I met sooo many people, enjoyed taking pictures with Presidents from all around and danced with many gorgeous ladies. Aaaah! Life’s beautiful when you’re a travelling Smurf.
As I told you before, Belgium was candidate for organising the World Congress in 2011; but that’s not all. Our actual National President Serge Goussaert was also candidate for an International Vice President position – we had to go cheer him up and emblaze the jury!
Well I suppose you’ve heard the results by now. It’s a 100% Smurfing victory!!!
There were many other activities that Laurent or I didn’t attend. Some of them were great such as the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Program that serves to formally recognize young people who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world's young people.
Other events seem to have been a bit more disappointing. From all the trainings and other gatherings Laurent decided to go and follow the 3 hours “Planète Drague” session – or how to hit on girls (or boys) given by Ninon from Bénin. Shame he didn’t ask me...with all my expertise I could have helped him a little bit more.
Anyway, it’s with big surprise I saw him come back very happy. He told me it was a lot of fun and about 50% of the French delegation attended the session. We still are not sure about them attending the session because it was in French or because they needed it. We think it was a little bit of both.
Well, I don’t want to bore you with all the details about the other events so I’ll just tell you about two other highlights which were the Japanese Party and the Global Village ! (the Korean one was quite disappointing). The Japanese party started with a local and famous traditional musician. That was beautiful! Then they continued with little stands where you could get local candy, your name written in kanji, and play small games. It was a very nice atmosphere.
The Global Village on the other hand, is something Laurent and I know well and that is why the b... decided to leave me at the hotel. The Global Village is a pure AIESEC product, at least this version. Each participating country has to bring local food, but more important local drinks! Laurent proud of is high alcohol threshold went and goofed totally. I had the opportunity to look at some nice compromising pictures I sadly cannot share with you in this report. But still, I heard some nice tales about how he tasted all the drinks more than once, and about his “pretended” legendary short term memory.
Anyway, the Congress had to end with a Big Bang and the Global Village was the preparation for the final event – The Presidential Gala Dinner – and wow that was a surprise!
The Gala was organised at the local Club Med which is a nice location. However, it was decided to have it done outside under tents, which was really cool, but they seem to have forgotten that the evening temperature was around the 10 degrees. In addition to that, the food was of poor quality and there weren’t enough waiters around. To keep it plain – it was a Big Bang, but not the one we expected!!!
Shame to end a World Congress that way...But hey, I suppose it’s part of the cultural experience.
All in all I must say I really enjoyed my stay at Hammamet taking the time to discover the organisation and meet so many great people.
Rejoice! This is not the end, but merely a preparation for what’s to come!
The European Congress in Denmark, the World Congress 2010 in Japan and don’t forget our own and amazing World Congress 2011 in Belgium!!!
I’ll be there and I hope you will too!
Take care, expand your boundaries and keep up the JCI spirit!
Your smurfing friend, Travel Smurf.
Laurent Rosenfeld
Door Annelies QUAEGEBEUR op ma, 04/01/2010 - 09:43