Thought for Food - Challenging the next generation of leaders

16 March, 2011, Brussels, Belgium

Syngenta has launched “Thought for Food”, a bold new initiative that challenges students from leading European universities to help tackle the world’s escalating food issues. The two winning ideas will be presented at One Young World to kick-off a global dialogue on food security for the future.

Over the coming months, sixty talented students from twelve leading European universities will dive into the deepest challenges surrounding food security. They will be expected to push boundaries and brainstorm to develop visionary ideas for a new generation. Each university will bring together teams representing a breadth of knowledge across all of the academic disciplines from sciences to the arts.

“As food and human health issues continue to climb the global agenda, the time is now for fresh, out-of-the-box approaches to our greatest challenges,” said Mike Mack, Syngenta CEO. “Every day two billion people are underfed or malnourished, while at the other end of the spectrum a further billion over-consume. Global food systems need to change and we believe the next generation must be involved in finding the answers.”

“Unlocking the energy and passion of young people is key to finding solutions to the global challenges facing the world today,” said Mack. “These students represent the next generation of farmers, policymakers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs and consumers. Through this initiative, we are encouraging them to connect, share and present ideas that could make a difference.”

A judging panel will select the two winning ideas. These will be presented at One Young World, a global stage for tomorrow’s leaders, in Zurich, Switzerland in September 2011.

Learn more about the Thought for Food initiative here.
To learn more about One Young World, click here.