Happy Lunar New Year from ISSI-BJ Executive Director
Dear friends, colleagues and supporters of ISSI-Beijing more broadly,
This is a funny time of the year for an international non-governmental organisation such as the International Space Science Institute–Beijing.
In late December, the hectic pace of 2024 slowed down to a crawl for many of us in the Western world; in late January 2025, many of our friends and colleagues in East and Southeast Asia will have that same opportunity—to reflect on past achievements and look forward to new possibilities—as they will enjoy their lunar new year celebrations.
Reflection on past achievements and challenges, and discussions about our institution's ambitions going forward are due to come into sharp focus just before we close for the Chinese New Year’s celebrations this year. The ISSI-Beijing Board of Trustees, in close consultation with the directorate, has convened a Visiting Committee composed of high-level international stakeholders to assess our operational practice and advise us on our future directions.
As the Visiting Committee's work wraps up, we are looking forward to making significant progress towards our goals as an international networking venue of choice in East Asia in the 32nd cycle of the 60-cycle Chinese zodiac.
On 29 January 2025, the Chinese zodiac will enter the Year of the Wood Snake. According to ancient Chinese astrological lore, the Jade Emperor invited all animals to a banquet in heaven. The order of their arrival would determine their rank in the zodiac. The Snake hid in the hoof of the Horse. When they reached the heavenly gate, the Snake jumped out and startled the Horse, causing it to fall behind. As such, the Snake became the sixth animal on the Chinese zodiac, while the Horse became the seventh.
The Snake is considered more refined and elegant than the Dragon, the zodiac sign of this past year. The Wood Snake, in particular, is a charming, intelligent and creative sign, but it is also at times secretive, cunning and sometimes ruthless.
Although ISSI-Beijing is not in the (big!) business of astrology, we would do well to heed some of the predictions for 2025. The Chinese zodiac suggests that the year of the Wood Snake will be a time of renewal and transformation. It also predicts that 2025 will be a time to think strategically and plan carefully.
We are keen to embrace these predictions to advance our aims of becoming the meeting venue of choice for our community of space scientists. We will provide as much support as we can muster, so please get in touch and let us make 2025 the pinnacle of our operations so far—and propel your science to the next level while we're at it!
For now, however, we hope that you will have the opportunity to slow down and benefit from some well-earned rest. We look forward to collaborating with many of you as we move forward, in a variety of roles.
On behalf of ISSI-Beijing, I wish you a healthy, successful and productive Year of the Wood Snake!
Richard de Grijs (ISSI-Beijing Executive Director)
