Following the success of its first evening in Geneva last year, the Caribaea Initiative – Suisse association organized a second evening at the end of November at the Château de Prangins. This event immersed guests in a Caribbean atmosphere, allowing the two associations (Caribaea Initiative and Caribaea Initiative – Suisse) to showcase their close ties. The evening provided an opportunity to raise further funds for education, training and research in the field of biology and conservation.
The evening began with Caribbean cocktails and an exhibition of selected paintings by Alain Thomas. This artist, awarded with the French Légion d’honneur for his work, has made tropical biodiversity one of his favorite subjects. His paintings depict colorful ecosystems, in which flora and fauna come together in a lively and poetic way.
Marie-Laure Salles, Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute, moderated a round-table discussion on biodiversity. The panel included Professor Alain Sandoz, President of the Caribaea Initiative, Elise Beaufils (Banque Lombard Odier), and two former students funded by the Caribaea Initiative, Dr. Christopher Cambrone (Guadeloupe) and Dr. Athereley Herbert (Barbados).
The evening continued with a tropical dinner featuring a Caribbean menu. Singer and presenter Licia Chery, a Swiss of Haitian origin, was the highlight of the evening, as she entertained guests to the rhythm of the Caribbean. During dinner, an auction was held, with the prize being a week’s stay in a villa on Mustique Island. Attendees were also able to make financial contributions to Caribaea Initiative thesis projects that they liked.
We would like to thank Vera Michalski-Hoffmann, President of Caribaea Initiative – Suisse, Jean-Paul Paddack (Vice-President) and Tobias Salathé (Treasurer), as well as Mary Hofstetter (fundraising consultant) for organizing the evening. Many thanks also to all the guests and donors for their support during the evening.
