Over 120 young leaders from around the world will come to Alberta to tackle the topic "Feeding a Hungry Planet"
CALGARY, June 1, 2012 /CNW/ - 4-H Canada celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2013. Olds College celebrates 100 years and Bayer celebrates 150 years in 2013. To mark these milestone celebrations, 4-H today announced a global Youth Ag-Summit entitled Feeding a Hungry Planet, taking place at the college in Olds, Alberta, in August 2013.
The Youth Ag-Summit will host 120 students, ages 18-25, from around the world to discuss and learn how their generation will overcome the challenges of feeding a growing world population of currently over 7 billion people. Bayer CropScience is the global title sponsor for the week-long event, and is engaging over 20 countries around the world (including China, Costa Rica, Chile, Spain, Australia, Italy, India, Taiwan, Indonesia and USA to date) to sponsor young leaders to attend the event. Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and the Province of Alberta are also participating in this exclusive global summit.
"This is an important topic that affects our future as a global community," said Jacob Onyschuk, 4-H Youth Ambassador. "The opportunity to connect with peers who have different backgrounds and ideas, and tackle a very complex issue like this is very exciting."
"4-H has a long-standing tradition of encouraging youth leadership, raising awareness of agriculture and strengthening communities across North America," said Alberta Premier Alison Redford. "The Global Youth Ag-Summit is an example of how Alberta and Canada are continuing to be leaders on the world stage, providing an opportunity for the next generation to share their insights and perspectives about the challenges of feeding our rapidly-growing world population."
"Feeding a hungry planet is a topic that we seriously think about every day as a science-based agriculture company," explains Sandra Peterson, global CEO of Bayer CropScience, a subgroup of Bayer. "Bringing different perspectives, ideas and viewpoints will be vital to help solve this enormous issue. Through our global sponsorship, we are committed to transporting over 120 bright, young, agricultural leaders to the Youth Ag-Summit in Alberta."
"The Government of Canada is working hard with our provincial and industry partners to create a brighter future for the next generation of farmers," said Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Minister of State (Finance). "Together we're working to meet the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow and to help feed 'a hungry planet.'"
"2013 is a big year for 4-H Canada as we celebrate our 100th year as a youth organization with rural roots," said Mike Nowosad, CEO of 4-H Canada. "The Youth Ag-Summit will become part of our living legacy as we position our organization for the next 100 years. These young adults will have the chance of a lifetime to make a lasting contribution to agricultural challenges worldwide."
Last November, the United Nations declared the planet's population surpassed 7 billion people. In less than 40 years, this forecast will see 2 billion more mouths in need of proper nutrition. In order for the next generation to find food solutions for these people, they must first understand the challenges and opportunities their peers are experiencing around the world today. It's clear that no one person, company or nation holds the answers; but through discussion and opportunities to collaborate such as the Youth Ag-Summit, it is hoped that solutions can be realized and acted upon.
To participate in the summit, young adults between the ages of 18-25 will be required to submit a paper discussing the topic - "Feeding a Hungry Planet." The top essays will qualify them to receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Youth Ag-Summit in Olds, Alberta, Canada. The essays will contribute to the foundation of the conference content. To stay in the know, log on to www.facebook.com/youthagsummit to follow further details as they become available.
About 4-H Canada
Beginning in Roland, Manitoba in 1913, 4-H is one of the country's longest-running and most respected youth organizations. 4-H provides opportunities for Canada's youth to explore, learn, and discover while expanding their horizons. More than 8,000 trained volunteer leaders help more than 26,000 4-H members develop self-confidence and learn a wide variety of skills through hands-on project work from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia. To learn more about 4-H in Canada visit: www.4-h-canada.ca
About Olds College
Olds College is the premier Canadian integrated learning and applied research community specializing in agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental management. The College has carved out a highly specialized education and training niche within the "New Rural" over its first 100 years, and is very well positioned to aid the cause of "feeding a hungry planet" going into its second century.
About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 7,255 million in 2011, is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of about 21,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. Further information on Bayer CropScience Canada is available at: www.bayercropscience.ca.
Erin Brophy
Communications and Marketing Manager
4-H Canada
[email protected]
Office: 613-234-4448 ext.27
Toll Free: 1-855-234-4448 ext. 27
Mobile: 613-808-8301
Derrick Rozdeba
Integrated Communications Manager
Bayer CropScience Canada
[email protected]
Office: 403-723-7432
Mobile: 403-471-1487
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