I was extremely lucky to have been able to spend Thursday evening in Room 182 at the Irving K. Barber Library, mingling with a bunch of amazing friends and peers who hold the most captivating visions for advocating sustainability and change in the world we are currently living in. The three short films of the night (four, including the beautifully-shot introductory clip that opened the screening) were handpicked by the members of IdeasXChange, each of them reflecting the core values in perspectives that propagate sustainable efforts, humanitarian relief, and bring to the fore why attention and change needs to happen.
Before the films were rolled that evening, the IdeasXChange team explained their vision. The IdeasXChange members are making immense efforts in creating workshops, talks, and information sessions about various interrelated socioeconomic and environmental realms, such as food security, climate change, and water sustainability, while spreading their global concept and positive energy to help the development of a sustainable and perspectives-inviting world.
The film screening took off on a lighter note with Anthropocene, a charismatic art clip accompanied with a gracious, hopeful tune. Anthropocene juxtaposed the film that followed, conveying a key objective of IdeasXChange: the hope of aiding the relief for the 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti. “This one’s really sad, but it’s really good too,” I was warned by Grace, one of my close friends and marketing director of IdeasXChange, upon entering the lecture hall. Baseball in the Time of Cholera portrays the earnest story of Joseph Alvyns, a dream chaser and a boy who loves baseball wholeheartedly, residing amidst the Haitian Cholera epidemic. Both Joseph and the wider Haitian community’s response to this overwhelming challenge was documented in meticulous detail, as facts and figures, as well as Joseph’s connection with family, baseball, and the impacts of the epidemic on his life were earnestly depicted. Joseph’s positivity and strong-willed love for baseball struck me as his very own outreach to the world in response to this sudden outbreak, which was believed to be brought to Haiti by the United Nations missionaries and Nepalese soldiers. I could not conceal my admiration for this young boy as I silently teared up taking in the heart-wrenching ending, his bravery, and his everlasting passion for baseball that had kept him afloat amidst challenging times. Grace was right – sad, but good.
The audience’s attention was next diverted to an informative and eye-opening film. Adapting to a Changing Climate spoke the significance and impact of adaptive education that is crucial in the progression towards a “climate resilient future where rights to food, water, health, education, and life are protected”, as well as the strengthening the global combat against the all-pervasive challenge of climate change. It was extremely intriguing to hear experts and advocates pinpoint the much-needed efforts to cultivate climate change adaptation, measures that cater to specific circumstances, and experiences of each city and community. It was tremendously encouraging to acknowledge that constant originality in thought, education, and adaptive measures are proving humanity’s continuous efforts in hopes to fight against climate change to be worthy, and rewarding.
As Grace encountered technical difficulties with lighting during her short pre-film speech, the audience eagerly awaited the screening of the final film. Influencers was both stimulating and innovative, as the global innovators in various areas of expertise reveal the hidden mechanics of their successes, and how they came to achieve them. The alluring “mainstream consciousness” attracts many hopeful youths to take the leap of bravery into the construction process of their passions and dreams, creating a fast paced, adaptive environment.
The film screening event ended on an overall inspiring note, followed by a pleasant social with the friendly and enthusiastic IdeasXChange team. Thank you all for such an amazing evening!