Registration for the upcoming #FOEN25 conference is now open. This year’s event will take place from March 13-15 at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB).

Preconferences are schedule to take place on March 13 from 9am-2.30pm and the main festival taking place starting March 13 at 3pm until March 15 at 6pm.

#FOEN25 is a festival-style conference launched by WAB that’s aimed at sharing and discussing innovative learning that’s happening in schools now and inspiring us to keep thinking about what’s next. From dynamic pre-conferences to hands-on workshops and bold FOENspirations, #FOEN25 dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping education today.

Each session centers on the festival’s streams – The Sustainable Futures Collective, The Breakthrough Arena, The Future Pathways Incubator, and The Flourishing Hub. Whether it’s redefining education in the age of AI, crafting socially just futures, or preparing students for careers that don’t yet exist, these conversations dive deep into the heart of what matters most.

Speakers

Tickets for this year’s #FOEN25 can be purchased here.

Images: Western Academy of Beijing

Interesting events happen every day, every hour in the bustling city of Beijing, and not even our staff can cover it all! While we were busy with families and schools at last weekend’s JISE, local writers and professionals Dr. R.M. Clarken and O.C. Tennant attended the Nu Women Empowerment Summit. We asked them to share their experiences.

Dr. R.M. Clarken

Saturday was an unexpected day of inspiration at the Nu Women Empowerment Summit at the trendy Hotel Jen in the CBD. From the first invitation, I knew that this would not be a typical business meeting for professional women, as the formal program stressed the need to wear comfortable clothes and shoes to fully participate in the afternoon activities. This particular detail piqued my interest and ensured my attendance.

When I arrived on Saturday morning, I was met by a small group of about 50 women gathered in an open conference hall that was filled half with chairs and the rest with yoga mats. Before starting the program, we mingled while sipping cappuccinos and watermelon juice and nibbling on snacks. After a meet and greet, we sat down to listen to the exceptional speakers, whose experience in China ranged from a few years to several decades. With so much wisdom to share, the presentations could have gone on and on, but instead, each woman spoke from the heart for only 15 minutes, sharing a great deal in a short period of time. This quick-paced outpouring invigorated the audience and gave us much to think about and talk about over lunch.

The afternoon was a marvelously choreographed assortment of activities to move us out of our heads and into embracing and empowering our bodies. With mini sessions in yoga, meditation, and improv, our small band of women bonded as we stretched our physical, emotional, and mental muscles. The afternoon wound down with a few more delightful speakers, music, and socialization. All in all, it was a surprising break from the locked-down experiences that typify 2020. I will definitely be in attendance at the next event.

Dr. Clarken has worked in education for more than 15 years and is currently a principal in Beijing. She first came to China 25 years ago as a high school student and later returned to Sichuan as an environmental education Peace Corps volunteer. For the last eight years, she has been living and working in Beijing with her husband.

O.C. Tennant

As I scanned through the faces in the WeChat group the night before the Summit, I remember feeling like I was in a safe space with people who, although unique and different from me, were similar in the area I value most: having a true desire to better themselves and others. Now, mere days after the summit, I have fulfilled my hope of making new friends while also connecting more closely with old ones and, most importantly, connecting deeper to myself.

The thing that set this summit apart from other conferences and women events I’ve attended is that it addressed all aspects of who I am as a person. Sabina Brady’s “Tackling Systemic Issues Head-on” stimulated me as a professional and academic. However, Enoch Li’s transparent testimony of her battle with chronic depression in “Playing Your Way Back to Mental Health” helped me remember to never stop having fun.

The organizers did not just stop at educating us on topics relevant to women on their transformation journeys. I was also able to immediately apply what I’d learned and felt in practice during a heart-opening yoga session, as I crawled like a cat on the floor doing contact improv, and while yelling out suggestions for the Beijing Broads improv games.

I have already shared my experience with friends and family in the US and China and even my partner, asking him to do some of the contact improv exercises with me the next day. Summits like this not only have the power to transform us as women but transform our communities as well. I highly recommend all women attend the next event. See and crawl with you there!

A proud “Georgia Peach” (from Georgia, USA) and graduate of Vanderbilt University, O.C. Tennant’s interest in the effect of international experiences on human development led her to work for the U.S. Department of State; to serve in Ecuador, Kenya, Peru, Tanzania, and now China; and, in 2016, to found Omega Mind, LLC. Most recently, Omega co-hosted the Beijing International Travel Conference and helped create cross-cultural videos for the China Tourism Film Festival. She has been in China for more than two years now and at any given time can be found painting, reading, writing, dancing, or studying nutritional therapy.

KEEP READING: Art is All Around Us: Cool and Creative Places for Family Bonding Time

Photos: Charlotte Smith, Authors

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids’ social platforms!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Period Power Workshop by Luuna, Oct 28

Join Luuna for an intimate discussion surrounding periods, womanhood, and empowerment. Bust menstrual myths that have kept people with periods in the dark about their bodies for far too long. This workshop will focus on menstrual cups. Learn about how to use the cup properly and safely, and why they may be a good choice for us. For this event, Luuna is teaming up with the amazing Beijing Wave – a group of women striving to form a strong and visibly present community in Beijing that connects through gender equality and women’s empowerment. All the participants will receive an exclusive discount code for all the organic cotton products from LUÜNA naturals.

RMB 58. 7pm. The Great Outdoors. 

French Musical: Le Rouge et le Noir – L’opéra Rock, Now – Oct 29

The internationally renowned historical psychological novel by Stendhal is being brought to the stage as a L’opera Rock. Le Rouge et Le Noir is a story of how a provincial young man tries to rise beyond his modest upbringing through a combination of talent, hard work and deception. But he ultimately allows his passions to betray him. With everything from love affairs to hypocrisy, this French musical is full of drama from start to finish.

RMB 280 – 780. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Beijing Century Theater. 

Make Halloween Fridge Magnets, Now – Oct 29

Come to Majiang Studio and make clay Halloween magnets. Everyone will have a chance to make a set of four. Make your magnets today and pick them up on Halloween day. All materials are included in the price as well as red wine or fruit tea!

RMB 329 per person or RMB 619 per couple. 10am – 9.30pm. Majiang Studio. 

3e Tea Talk: Social Interaction & Self-Regulation for Kindergarten & Elementary Children, Oct 30

For Adults. This 3e International School tea talk provides strategies for parents to recognize and support children with social and emotional challenges, including social interaction and self-regulation. Dr Ira Canada – 3e Learning Support Specialist and author of The Exciting, Social, & Emotional Adventures of Chatting Timmy – will guide parents using real-life social stories to address key issues and help children through difficult times.

Free, registration needed. 9.30–11am. 3e International School.

HoK Parents Education Workshop Series: Learning Several Languages While Having Fun, Oct 30

House of Knowledge (HoK) is hosting a parents’ education workshop about how to teach your child several languages while still having fun. With the rapid development of the world today, globalization affects every family. All parents hope their children can learn a foreign language to help build a good foundation for a successful life in the future. Mr. Farshad Danicek, the co-founder of HoK, will advise you on how to develop children’s languages when they are young and how parents can assist them at home. Farshad has been working in the Early Years Education industry for almost 30 years. During the past 12 years, he has adapted the Reggio Emilia approach to coincide with, and complement, Chinese learning styles.

Free, needs registration.marketing@hokschools.com for registration. 9.30–11.30am. House of Knowledge, Xinglong Campus.

Halloween “Booffet,” Oct 31

All ages. Get your costume on, your pumpkin bucket ready, and your trick-or-treat face done! Signature’s Restaurant’s “Booffet” dinner is packed with scary cake, fearful pumpkins, creative sweets and treats, and all kinds of themed eats. Highlights include pumpkin stuffed with chestnuts, supreme turkey, pumpkin soup with lemongrass, and pumpkin pie. Gorge on all these delicious foods and more all while enjoying the live DJ show and kids’ activities like face painting. Price includes unlimited Paulaner beer, house wine, and soft drinks.

Under 6 years old, free. kids 6 – 11 50 percent off. RMB 388 for adults. 6-10pm. Signature’s Restaurant. 

Halloween With Tianmi, Oct 31

All ages. Chef Olivia Nadine will be serving up a Halloween-themed dinner. This experience will surely add some spooky flavor to your Halloween celebration. 

RMB 258, please reserve your table. 7pm. Tianmi Bakery. 

Beijing Halloween Ghost Tour, Oct 31

All ages. Newman Tours invites you to join their unique Halloween Ghost Tour. Not only can you and your family be spooked by scary Chinese ghosts, but you will also get to know some interesting stories about Jiāngshī in Beijing. You will find out who hanged himself next to Emperor Chongzhen behind the Forbidden City, why the ghost of the tragic Bell Tower Lady is always saying thank you, and where you can find the haunted hutongs around Prince Gong’s Palace. This tour is offered in English.

RMB 290, please book in advance. 6.30-8.30pm. Forbidden City Area. 

Xian Halloween Party, Now – Oct 31

All Ages. Halloween isn’t just for the little ones; adults are also invited to dress in their best costumes for Xian’s Halloween Party. Xian will be transformed into a mischievous playground. Special drinks and scary movies will available for you to experience a horrific night. For inquiries or reservations, please call +86 10 8414 9820.

Free. Xian Bar. 

北京 Women for Impact 2019 Conference, Nov 2

Open to women and men. Think, Share, and Create Hub (TSCHub) proudly presents to the first-ever 北京 Women For Impact 2019 Conference, an event that will bring together around 200 aspiring and established leaders in one place. It will feature a series of activities designed to enable inspiration and collaboration by connecting aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and diplomats.

RMB 100 – 150. 9.30am-5pm. Zhongguancun Chuangye Tower

Family Concert: Tom and Jerry, Nov 2

Les Désaxés: Saxophonissimo Comedy Show, Nov 2

All ages. This performance is a comedy show from a saxophone quartet which is so much more than just a musical show. They are entertainers, actors, dancers, sound effect engineers, and comedians.

RMB 100 – 380. 10.30am. Mei Lanfang Grand Theater. 

Farm to Table Dinner by the Great Wall, Nov 2

Above 16. Schoolhouse Partners hosts dinners on the Great Wall. The dinners showcase seasonal and local ingredients from Schoolhouse Partners’ own gardens, or producers nearby. The menu is created by Schoolhouse’s executive chef with assistance from their sustainability team. Price includes a free flow of selected wines, canapes before dinner, and a four course meal. Vegetarian and celiac requests can be made in advance. One table is limited to 12 people so please book in advance.

RMB 368. 7pm. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall. 

Huluween Menu at Hulu and Merci, Now till Nov 3

All ages. Hulu’s owner and founder, Ignace Lecleir, has created the most extensive Halloween menu that’s kid-friendly and brings back those nostalgic childhood memories in grown-ups. The entire Halloween menu book – yeah, it’s that extensive – is available at both Hulu and Merci. From deviled eggs topped with creepy critters, to gravlax rolls shaped like fingers, to bat wings (don’t worry, they’re actually chicken wings colored with squid ink), brave diners can expect to encounter plenty of spooky treats and creatures like skeletons, vampires, and ghosts. This menu is sure to make fans of kids, while adults can come and enjoy Halloween-themed cocktails. If you go between Oct 30 and Nov 2, you will have the opportunity to be treated by Hulu’s special zombie nurses.

Prices vary. Daily from 11am-12am Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm Sunday-Thursday. Hulu by TRB and Merci. 

SPOOK-Tacular Brunch & MCF’s Spooky Corner, Nov 3

All ages. Come to Zarah and join their SPOOK-tacular Brunch to celebrate the scariest month of the year! Zarah’s haunted cafe will have an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, featuring some frightening Halloween specials such as Spider Deviled Eggs, Rotten Spaghetti, Thai Coconut Hummus Bats & Sweet Ghosts. There will be plenty of fun-filled kids’ activities such as pumpkin crafting, trick-or-treating, face painting, and storytelling. Zarah will donate all SPOOK-tacular Brunch Buffet participation fees for kids aged 6-12 years to the Migrant Children Foundation (MCF). So, get the little ones dressed up and let them enjoy MCF’s Halloween activities, while you lean back and get pampered with wickedly good delicacies. You can choose their all-you-can-eat-and-drink option, with free flow Jing-A beer, high quality wines, prosecco, and Zarah’s fresh and seasonal secret-recipe cocktails!

RMB 98 – 298. 10am – 3pm. Zarah. 

Photos: Newmantours.com, courtesy of event organizers, 

Of the many buzzwords we hear nowadays, one of the most ubiquitous is “disruption.” From technology to marketing to media, industries are being disrupted, and the agreed-upon rules of how these industries function are being thrown out in favor of new techniques and practices.   

Education too is being disrupted as more folks realize that the “factory model,” in which one size fits all, is no longer applicable to our diverse student bodies. What’s more, as industries become increasingly automated and globalized, the old methods of standardization no longer prepare students for the critical thinking necessary to thrive.   

Consequently, students, teachers, and educators are facing new questions, such as what does it mean to be a global citizen, and what will the professional landscape look like in the near future?

From November 13-16, these questions and many more will be addressed during The Future of Education Now (FOEN) conference, hosted by the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB). Tickets range from USD 75 for the pre-conference ticket to USD 700 for the full four day experience, with various discounts and promotions available. (Reserve your ticket by Friday, September 6 for 25 percent off.)

Bringing together an impressive slate of education leaders, as well as schools that have implemented some groundbreaking techniques in the ways they approach student learning and success, the event will be a “truly immersive, global conference” that promises attendees the opportunity to “step outside the conventional box, envision environments where boundaries blur, walls move, and attitudes to learning and education evolve.”

Leading the charge will be three keynote speakers whose distinct areas of expertise represent everything FOEN has to offer. Among them is Danica Kragic Jensfelt, a professor at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology and Director of the Center for Autonomous Systems. With a focus on artificial intelligence, Professor Kragic understands that many jobs are rapidly being taken over by robots, and her insights ensure that students won’t get left behind.

Sessions throughout the weekend will cover everything from designing classroom spaces that inspire creativity, to global citizenship as a prerequisite for modern learners and future leaders. Additionally, students will have the chance to participate in the Real World Learning experience, an invaluable look at what students can expect when they enter the workforce, and what tools they’ll need to get ahead.

For more information, and to reserve your tickets, visit www.wab.edu/future.

Photos: Adobe, WAB, Croatia.org