The symbolic Centenary flame embarked on another leg of its trip around the world in late-October, appearing at end-of-the-year celebrations in Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong.

ESSEC Day Japan included a reception at the residence of the French Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Gildas Le Lidec, attended by alumni, leading representatives of ESSEC (notably, Pierre Tapie, Jean-Luc Decornoy, and Professor Frédéric Jenny) and Yuichiro Anzai, president of one of ESSEC’s longest-standing partners Keio University. The event also provided an opportunity to offer thanks to companies and individuals who have welcomed former students on internships, and to continue developing awareness of the School’s activities with the press.

Raising awareness of ESSEC in Asia

The Chinese section of the Asian tour also comprised an important communications operation with journalists during a large-scale press conference and a seminar examining business ethics and the current challenges facing the corporate and educational sectors in China. The former was led by Pierre Tapie and the latter by Laurent Bibard, Dean of ESSEC MBA programs.

Pierre Tapie meets with the press at ESSEC Day China

The ESSEC Asian Center also explored the theme of corporate social responsibility, from a global perspective, during the December 10 Centenary event held on the premises of ESSEC’s Asian campus.

Nearing the 100-event mark

Whilst these events marked the end of the Centenary events for the calendar year 2007, further were planned for 2008, bringing the total events held in honor of ESSEC’s 100 years in existence to three figures, notably ESSEC Day India on January 26.

The year’s celebrations will be brought to a close shortly via the production of a commemorative DVD. More news on this will appear in the next issue of the International Newsletter.