Next generation of agricultural talent invited to ‘plant their path’ at the 2019 Youth Ag Summit in Brazil

Date:09-18-2018


Bayer recently announced that applications for the fourth edition of the Youth AgVocate Summit are now open. Organized in collaboration with youth-focused organizations Nuffield Brazil and AIESEC Brazil, the next Youth Ag Summit will take place from 4-6 November, 2019, in Brasília, Brazil.

The Youth Ag Summit brings together 100 young talents aged 18 to 25 from across the globe to develop solutions and answers to one of society’s most challenging questions: how to feed a hungry planet in a more sustainable manner.

“There has never been a more important time for innovation in agriculture as we take on the challenge of nourishing a growing population while, at the same time, preserving our natural resources,” notes Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Crop Science Division. “As the leaders of tomorrow, young people with a personal passion to shape the future of agriculture need to be at the forefront of these efforts.”

Ideas invited on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals

To apply for the 2019 Summit, eligible candidates (young people of any background aged 18 to 25 and with a passion for advocating for food and agriculture) must submit a video pitch sharing their idea to tackle food insecurity in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Applicants are encouraged to think about how they can “plant a path” for youth to be change-makers in implementing the SDGs, and make their own individual impact on food security in ways both big and small. Full application guidelines and information can be found here.

For the 100 chosen delegates, the Youth Ag Summit will function as an idea incubator: helping delegates turn their ideas into reality, and equipping them with the skills needed to realize their projects. Throughout the Summit, delegates will also hear from expert speakers and participate in tours to learn more about the agricultural industry.

Youth Ag Summit heads to Brazil

“In just five years, the Youth Ag Summit has become a powerful force for change, empowering over 300 highly talented alumni to make an impact on the world,” adds Rodrigo Santos, Head of Crop Science division in Latin America. “We are thrilled to be taking the Summit to Latin America for the first time ever. I hope Brazil’s thriving agricultural sector will inspire our delegates as they develop their innovative ideas to tackle food insecurity and take their next steps as future leaders in food and agriculture.”

The 2019 Youth Ag Summit will take place in the country’s purpose-built capital, Brasília, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to Brazil’s federal government as well as over 120 foreign embassies, it is an ideal location to welcome the next crop of global ‘agvocates’ – advocates for agriculture – who will shape the future of food.

“We believe leadership is the fundamental solution to changing the world. We need to inspire and enable young people to become active leaders for food security and sustainable agriculture,” states Jonathan Volpato, Head of Business Development of AIESEC in Brazil. “We are excited to partner with Bayer to add young leaders to the agvocate movement in Brazil, where innovation is driving sustainability and vice versa. We see these future leaders as keys to unlocking a better future, and we can’t wait to meet the delegates next year.”

Fabiano Paganella, president of Nuffield Brazil, added “Agriculture will be shaped hugely by the next generation – whether you’re a farmer, a scientist, an entrepreneur, or a social activist. Partnering with Bayer for the 2019 Youth Ag Summit is a chance to support future talent and connect tomorrow’s leaders, enabling them to solve pressing societal challenges and build a better future.”

A movement driving change

Since its inception in 2013, the Youth Ag Summit has grown into a movement led by ‘agvocates’ who are active on an ongoing basis in tackling food security challenges. To date, 300 delegates from more than 50 different countries have taken part, and alumni have gone on to participate in such prominent global events as the UN Committee on Food Security in Rome, the EAT Stockholm Food Forum, and the European Development Days.

“The Youth Ag Summit allowed me to work together with like-minded peers on a project to tackle food insecurity in the context of gender equality,” says Cassandra Hayward, an undergraduate student in sustainable development who represented Canada at the 2017 Summit. “Together, we created AgriKUA, a non-profit organization aiming to provide post-secondary female students in Kenya with agricultural, business and legal knowledge through an online platform. Our goal is to cultivate a group of female mentors and leaders who can drive a sustainable cycle of local empowerment within their own communities."

To apply for the Youth Ag Summit 2019, please visit www.youthagsummit.com. To learn more, follow #plantyourpath and #youthagsummit on social media, or stay up to date by subscribing to the newsletter: www.newsletter.youthagsummit.com/

About the Youth Ag Summit
The Youth Ag Summit aims to inspire and foster young leaders who will champion sustainable agriculture and food security, as well as bridging the understanding gap between those who produce our food and those who consume it. Following previous editions hosted in Canada, Australia, and Belgium, this year’s Summit is the first to be held in Latin America. Bayer will cover all travel, accommodation and related costs for the chosen delegates.

The Summit is part of Bayer’s Agricultural Education Program: a holistic, long-term approach to encourage young people aged 18 to 28 to learn about sustainable agriculture. The program aims to inspire the next generation to learn more about modern agriculture and find solutions to global food security. As a research-driven company, Bayer is committed to driving societal acceptance of technology, as well as fostering a future talent pipeline of scientists.

About Nuffield Brazil
Nuffield International Farming Scholars program promotes, develops, and inspires leaders in agriculture. Nuffield Scholars are producers and agri-professionals between 25 and 45 years of age who travel globally to explore issues and opportunities in agriculture. With a network of more than 1.700 Nuffield Scholars around the world, participants are able to grow personally and professionally through experiential travel and investigation of contemporary issues in agriculture. Components of a Nuffield scholarship include participating in the program’s annual conference, small group travel, and individual excursions to over 10 countries. For more information, go to www.nuffieldinternational.org and www.nuffield.com.br.

About AIESEC Brazil
AIESEC is a global platform of young leaders under the age of 30 (students and recent graduates), who strive to better themselves and the communities around them, and to explore and develop their leadership potential. They are passionate about world issues, leadership development and cultural understanding and want to develop themselves through practical experiences as a Global Volunteer, Talent or Entrepreneur. For more information, go to www.aiesec.org and www.aiesec.org.br.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of 35.0 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.4 billion euros, R&D expenses to 4.5 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.