VIDEO: Jackie Chan Operation Smile 2011 ISCE

Jackie In Beijing

SOURCE: THE HINDU.COM

And Jackie had this to say about it on Weibo:

今天是我最近最開心到一天！看到來自世界各地的超過800多個學生參加微笑行動，用愛心善心去幫助其他人，看到他們充滿喜悅的樣子我真的很開心。如果所有人都以愛心對其他人，世界將會多麼的和平。一起加入我們，幫助他人。

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Today is the happiest I have had recently! To see over 800 students From around the world to participate in Operation Smile, to help others with love kindness, to see them full of joy, I was really happy. If everyone loves others, how peaceful the world will be. Join us to help others.

SOURCE: WEIBO.COM/JACKIECHAN

Jackie Supports Operation Smile in Beijing

Jackie Chan Inspires Youth at Operation Smile’s 2011 International Student Cultural Exchange in Beijing

As a supporter of Operation Smile for more than 18 years, Jackie Chan will join other internationally-respected speakers at the organisation’s largest ever annual International Student Cultural Exchange (ISCE).

Almost 800 college and high school students from 23 countries around the world will gather from August 1-7 at the Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall in China to learn firsthand how to enhance their knowledge of global cultures, strengthen their character, and develop into future philanthropic leaders. Named one of the most philanthropic people in Asia by Forbes Asia in 2010, Jackie Chan is a wonderful mentor to inspire students to make a difference in their communities and around the world and help change lives for the better.

For almost 2 decades, Jackie Chan has helped to spread awareness for children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate and Operation Smile’s work in China. In 1993, he donated $2 million (HK) and an anesthesia machine to help Operation Smile provide free surgeries for more children in China.

For his many years of generous support and advocacy of Operation Smile’s work, Jackie Chan was named an International Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile China medical project. In Hangzhou, he has toured Operation Smile China’s Comprehensive Care Center, China’s first charity hospital, and lent his support for many fundraising events in Hong Kong. In 2009, during Operation Smile’s 20th anniversary commemoration of its work in Vietnam, Jackie Chan along with Operation Smile Co-Founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee received the National Medal for Peace and Friendship Among Nations award from the Vietnamese government.

“I have experienced very personally how this surgery is life-changing and I am honoured to have been a part of this program with you," said Mr. Chan.

The ISCE is hosted by Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity that provides free surgery for children in developing countries who were born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Students will participate in team-building activities that celebrate their diversity. This year’s motto – Now is the Time! – will be incorporated throughout the ISCE, motivating students to make a difference in the world today.

The goal of ISCE is to educate students on the value of service in their communities and help them establish a lifetime of giving. ISCE participants hail from more than 23different countries. Thousands of students in more than 700 schools around the world are involved in Operation Smile’s Student Programs, making a difference in children’s lives and learning the importance of volunteerism.

Jackie Chan is a Hong Kong-born actor who also is an action choreographer, filmmaker, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts. Jackie Chan has appeared in over 100 films, and has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

SOURCE: OPERATION SMILE UK

Read more on OPERATION SMILE BLOG

It is also Operation Smile's 20th Anniversary of spreading smiles in China this year and you can read more about it here

Are You In Beijing? Zodiac Needs you!

This was just posted as a comment on a recent post but I am going to spread the word a little more widely:

The advert was posted on 28 July 2011.

Zodiac (In other words Jackie) is looking for cast and crew to film in Beijing:

people (part-time) actor :80-300 (day-end fee, required to endure hardship, subject to arrangements)

with the group of actors :3000-4800 yuan / month (male, 15; female, 10, no experience)

artistes :500-800 yuan / day (with lines)

stunt :1000-5000 / games (there is a certain risk, there must be some martial arts skills)

character actor :2000-8000 yuan / field (the image of good temperament)

stuntman: 1000-3000 / games (good physical martial arts skills, experienced by preferred)

Photography Assistant 2800-4800 (available to crew accommodation, experienced preferred candidates)

Camera Assistant 2800-4800 (available to crew accommodation, experienced preferred candidates)

Assistant Make-up 2800-4800 (available to crew accommodation, experienced preferred candidates)

Clothing Assistant 2800-4800 (available to crew accommodation, experienced preferred candidates)

Assistant director 3500-5500 (available to crew accommodation, experienced preferred candidates)

Actor Assistant 2800-4800 (available to crew accommodation, experienced preferred candidates)

Official QQ: 2449598085

Interview Address: Liuliqiao North Bayi Film Studio

Contact: Wang Assistant Tel: 13621057024

SOURCE: http://bj.ganji.com/zpyinyuebiaoyanzhuchi/11072817_6747348.htm

Rodeo China Some News and More Information

Taylor Vagneur, age 18, competes in the team roping competition at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Thursday night. Vagneur has been selected out of a pool of 120 Colorado 4-H members to travel to Beijing, China, to introduce the Western United States rodeo culture to the people of Beijing. Taylor will be traveling along side another local rodeo competitor and 4-H member, 19-year-old Stormy Havens.

Two local young rodeo riders, one from Carbondale and the other from Basalt, are about to become cowboy ambassadors to China.

Stormy Havens, 19, of Basalt and Taylor Vagneur, 18, of Carbondale, were picked out of a field of 120 Colorado 4-H members to introduce Western U.S. rodeo culture to China.

Through the “Rodeo China” project, Havens and Vagneur will travel to Beijing for a week of rodeos, Oct. 3-10, put on by the U.S. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association at the Bird's Nest National Arena and for workshops with Chinese youth.

“I'm really excited to show them the 4-H culture,” said Havens, who has been in 4-H since she was 8.

“It's just an honor that I actually got chosen,” said Vagneur. “I didn't think I would be. Mom talked me into sending an application in.”

The pair will be among 60 teens, mostly from Colorado, who will represent the Colorado and national 4-H organizations, the Colorado Future Farmers of America and the National Little Britches Rodeo Association.

Taking ranch life and rodeo to China

The overall event will involve eight nightly rodeos in the Beijing National Stadium, otherwise known as the Bird's Nest, site of the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics.

It will include approximately 150 professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls, accompanied by roughly 200 horses, bulls and other rodeo livestock, according to an account in the May 5 edition of China Daily, an online English news outlet.

Jeff Goodwin, director of the Colorado 4-H Program, said the youth contingent will not actually be riding in the rodeos with the adult professionals.

The teens will be teaching about 3,000 young Chinese about Western culture, livestock handling and the discipline of rodeo.

“We'll teach them just the basic principles of working with livestock,” Goodwin explained. The instruction, he said, will start with an exercise of sorting calves on foot instead of on horseback.

In addition, Goodwin said, the Chinese youngsters will be instructed in roping, riding through a flat course, and mutton busting: That's the practice of perching a youngster on the back of a sheep, letting the sheep gallop around the arena, and seeing how long the youngster can hang on.

As an added bonus, Goodwin confided, internationally famous actor Jackie Chan will be taking part in the event, and the ESPN sports network is expected to do some taping.

“It's kind of a historic thing,” he said of the production, noting that the Resistol hat company, a favorite for Westerners, will be giving away free straw cowboy hats to all attendees on the first night.

Deep roots in 4-H and the valley

Havens and Vagneur are natives of the valley, from families that have been here for generations.

Stormy Havens is the daughter of Heidi and Troy Havens. Heidi is a lifelong 4-H participant herself, and Troy runs the cheering section at their daughter's rodeo and competition events.

Taylor Vagneur is the son of Billi and John Vagneur. Billi is the organizational leader of the Mount Sopris 4-H group, and John can often be found grooming the practice arena or exercising Taylor's horse until Taylor shows up from his job to ride.

Both teens have considerable experience in the local rodeo community and have been active in 4-H, as competitors raising and showing livestock, and in leadership roles.

Havens tutored middle school students when she was a junior in high school, helping Spanish-speakers improve their English skills. She also has a summer job at the Aspen Riding Academy teaching kids how to ride and take care of horses.

She has traveled widely to other countries. “Everywhere I go, I try to spread my own knowledge about horses and about rodeo,” she noted in her application form for Rodeo China.

Vagneur has been a junior leader in his 4-H club, and traveled with People To People as a student ambassador to New Zealand and Australia.

Both compete regularly in the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo at the Gus Darien Riding Arena.

Prepping for Beijing

Although neither Havens nor Vagneur speaks Chinese, Havens said she is pretty good at speaking Spanish and is eager to give Chinese a try.

As part of their duties, the pair will be expected to wear everyday cowboy gear, including jeans, Western belts and hats, boots and other gear.

They'll go to Pueblo for preliminary training for the 60 Rodeo China teens on July 2 and 3. They'll learn about the events they will teach, effective teaching practices and an introduction to Chinese culture.

Vagneur, describing what he might talk about with the Chinese youngsters he will be instructing, said, “Obviously, about the rules, the different things you're going to be doing in rodeo.”

Then he paused, searching for more words, and added, “Probably country music, if I run out of things to say. I'm a music nut.”

He said he plays drums, guitar, bass and piano, and sings a little bit.

As the interview came to a close, Vagneur prepared to mount up and join the other 4-H riders in the arena.

But before he did, his dad walked over and said gruffly, “Tuck it in,” pointing to the shirt tail hanging outside his son's pants.

“But I'm not there yet,” the younger Vagneur shot back with a grin.

“Dress code,” his dad replied, also smiling. “Tuck it in.” Which Taylor did.

The way it happened

According to Jeff Goodwin, the rodeo visitation is the brain child of a retired manufacturer of women's western wear named Richard Tucker and his wife, Carrie Tucker, a student of Chinese studies, who live in South Carolina.

Frequent travelers to China for business, educational programs and recreation, the Tuckers came up with the idea for a rodeo demonstration last year and put the event together.

The trip is all-expenses-paid for the rodeo professionals as well as the 4-H and other participants, Goodwin said, courtesy of the Tuckers.

Plus, Goodwin said, the Tuckers have put up $8 million in prize money for the rodeos.

Goodwin said he was not sure if the Chinese are “crazy for cowboys” the way Europeans are, but added, “I guess that's what they're banking on.”

He said the organizers are expecting to fill the Bird's Nest every night to its limit of 85,000, and that the Tuckers have hopes to put on similar exhibitions in other countries around Asia.

“My interest,” Goodwin concluded, is for the leadership and personal development of these 20 kids. I think they're going to learn a lot about working with people that are different from them.”

SOURCE: POSTINDEPENDENT.COM