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Global youth leaders to gather in Olds to talk food security

How to feed the Earth’s burgeoning population will be discussed by global youth leaders at a summit in Olds in August 2013.

How to feed the Earth’s burgeoning population will be discussed by global youth leaders at a summit in Olds in August 2013.

Some 120 students from more than 20 countries will attend a forum at Olds College, which is considered a premiere research facility specializing in agriculture, foods and related issues.

The event will mark the college’s centenary as well as the 100th anniversary of 4-H Canada and the 150th of the Bayer corporation. All three organizations are summit co-sponsors, along with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Province of Alberta.

Students, age 18 to 25, will discuss how their generation can overcome the challenges of feeding a growing planetary population of more than seven billion. The United Nations predicts two billion more mouths to feed in less than 40 years.

“Bringing different perspectives, ideas and viewpoints will be vital to help solve this enormous issue,” said Sandra Peterson, global CEO of Bayer CropScience.

Her company is committed through sponsorships to helping transport students from China, Costa Rica, Chile, Spain, Australia, Italy, India, Taiwan, India, the U.S. and other countries to Central Alberta.

The young participants will be selected for an all-expense-paid trip according to an essay they write on the topic of feeding a hungry planet. The essays will also contribute toward the content of the conference.

“This is an important topic that affects our future as a global community,” said Jacob Onyschuk, 4-H Youth Ambassador. He looks forward to connecting with peers of different backgrounds and opinions. Tackling the complex issue will be very exciting, said Onyschuk.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford said the global youth ag-summit will continue to put Alberta and Canada at the forefront of the world stage, providing an opportunity for a new generation to share ideas on a topical issue.

More details will be available at www.facebook.com/youthagsummit.