Young, bright eco-minds sought for youth forum

Media release issued on behalf of Bayer New Zealand

30 October 2008

Young, bright New Zealand eco-minds sought for international youth forum 2009

High-achieving, eco-minded students are being called upon to help find innovative and sustainable solutions for a range of energy issues being discussed at next year’s Eco-Minds Youth Forum.

The forum, held on 25 to 30 May 2009 in Auckland and Rotorua, will bring 27 students together from nine countries in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss sustainable energy systems and the challenges and opportunities associated with this.

Bayer New Zealand, the first company in the world to enter a long-term partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is calling for applications from students across New Zealand between the ages of 18 to 24, studying natural sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences or commerce/management to represent New Zealand at the international forum.

“We are delighted to offer students the opportunity to participate in this forum. Sustainable energy systems is an issue which is especially relevant to New Zealand so we are proud to be hosting it,” said William Malpass, Corporate Communications Manager at Bayer New Zealand.

The Eco-Minds Forum 2009 will give participants an opportunity to work and learn from experts in sustainable development and will include educational field trips to learn more about sustainable energy systems, including New Zealand’s hydro and geothermal supply systems.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said: “finding solutions to [sustainability] issues will need clear and courageous thinking, and the application of the best minds in search of the most innovative answers. UNEP is convinced that those minds belong to the young people of the world.”

Bayer and UNEP signed a framework agreement to globalise their partnership in 2004. One of the outcomes of this is the Eco-Minds Youth Forum, developed in partnership with The University of Auckland and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.

Further information about Eco-Minds and how to apply are available at http://www.eco-minds.bayer.com.

ENDS

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