2017 American Women’s Group in Paris’ Annual Gala.. La Vie en Rose

“Volunteering”.. a word that was previously familiar to me, but not to such a personal, intimate degree as it has become over these past six months.

I found myself reluctantly accepting to volunteer my services as Co-Chair of the American Women’s Group in Paris’ Annual Gala Organising Committee at the end of a fun drinks gathering last September, having initially turned down an invitation to become Chair in June of that year, knowing full well that my overstretched timetable and responsibilities did not allow me to take this additional load on board – no matter how worthwhile…

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The Gates of Hell at Musée Rodin..

The exhibition “Hell according to Rodin”, or “L’Enfer selon Rodin”, currently taking place at the Musée Rodin in Paris, invites the public to take a fresh look at an iconic work of art: The Gates of Hell. Over 170 works – including 60 drawings that are rarely on public display, and numerous sculptures restored for the exhibition – immerse visitors in the fascinating history of this masterpiece, which was so influential in the development of sculpture and the arts. With these mysterious, imposing doors that never open, Rodin presents a spectacular view of Hell – both feverish and tormented…

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Celebrating International Yoga Day.. in Paris

Do you know that International Yoga Day is celebrated annually on the 21st of June, a day which also happens to be the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and a day of special significance in many parts of the world?

The idea of an International Yoga Day was first proposed by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on the 27th of September 2014, in which he stated: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. This tradition is 5000 years old. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being”…

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Anglo Apéro.. A Voyage to Australia with ABIE…

I was invited this week to an Anglo Apéro, organised by the Australian Business in Europe association, in conjunction with the Franco British Chamber of Commerce & Industry, NetworkIrlande and the France Canada Chamber of Commerce..

This 7th Anglo Apéro, entitled “A Voyage Down Under in the Heart of Paris”, had an understandably Australian theme and venue, the Club Oz, in rue St. Denis in the 1ère arrondissement. With its original warm-coloured décor and aboriginal paintings, the club (which belongs to the Café Oz group), guaranteed the change of scenery… immersing us in the heart of Australia for une soirée…

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Sarah Gogel.. Changemaker…

I recently read an interesting article whose author was making an argument for why he thinks the world is undergoing a “paradigm shift”.. i.e. the early stages of a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions, one of several monumental shifts in history that have uprooted our society’s very foundation, such as the Industrial Revolution, taking it off its current path and putting it on a new one.

One of the signs the writer cites to support his argument of a paradigm shift is his belief that a global consciousness shift is underway in which…

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EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Deepak Chopra in Paris on 17 May 2016…

A UNIQUE EVENT | SOIREE…

TAKING PLACE AT THE GRAND REX IN PARIS, ON THE 17TH OF MAY 2016:

DEEPAK CHOPRA CONFERENCE AND MEDITATION…

« Une soirée avec Deepak Chopra: Comment vivre mieux aujourd’hui et demain? »

Deepak Chopra will be in Paris on Tuesday the May 17 for an exceptional conference on a topic that affects us all: how to live better today and tomorrow?…

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American Graduate School in Paris: Its 11th International Conference…

I was invited to attend the 11th International Graduate School Conference last week, taking place at the American Graduate School in Paris (AGS).. an intimate French and American accredited graduate school specialising in International Relations and Diplomacy Masters degree programs in a prime Left Bank location.

This year’s intensive Two-Day Conference was entitled: “The Complexity of Religion in International Relations: Theoretical, Legal, and Geopolitical Perspectives”…

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The 2016 AWG Paris Annual Gala…

When I nonchalantly volunteered to join the organising committee of the 42nd Annual Gala of The American Women’s Group in Paris (AWG), at their monthly morning coffee member’s meeting, little did I know that I would be swept into the heart of the largest active English-speaking women’s group in France.. celebrating its 67th year of existence.

The Gala is their biggest fundraising event of the year, given that not only is AWG’s mission to promote the cultural patrimony of France through the rich cultural programming it offers as a French registered non-profit cultural and educational organization, it is also – and most importantly – to raise money for the charities it supports tirelessly, as part of FAWCO: The Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, a global women’s NGO and international federation of independent volunteer clubs and associations founded in 1931, with special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council…

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