Young farmers flock to debate food at expo

Thousands of Young Farmers will come to Milan to discuss the future of food

Slow Food has launched a crowdfunding platform created by Saatchi & Saatchi to enable young farmers to attend the event ‘Terra Madre Giovani – We Feed the Planet’

Says SlowFood – "Feeding the planet is the biggest challenge this generation has to face. With EXPO 2015 focusing on exactly this, the world is looking to Milan for answers. But isn’t it senseless to discuss the future of feeding the planet without the presence of Small Scale Producers, young farmers and food producers? We need all voices and opinions: It’s time to give a voice to those who work hard, night and day, to put food on people’s plates."

As EXPO comes to a close, Slow Food and the Slow Food Youth Network are taking the opportunity to bring together thousands of young food producers from all over the world: farmers, breeders, fishermen and students will meet in Milan from October 3-6 for We Feed the Planet – Terra Madre Youth, an event organized by the Slow Food Youth Network to discuss the future of food and our planet.

Through workshops, debates and lectures offered on different levels, young visitors will gain knowledge and have discussions about all elements of the food system. The event facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas among youth from all over the world, without holding on to dogmatic ideas, but by having open debates on food issues. As a result, new projects, business, and innovative solutions will be presented, together with a co-created and live tweeted vision on the future of food and farming.

"On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day, celebrated worldwide on 22 May, we want to put the spotlight on the concrete solutions needed to protect the world, in a unique event", explained Carlo Petrini, President of Slow Food International.

"The future of the planet lies in the hands of the younger generation, and the only solution looking forward is to discuss and debate, because caring about the food we eat means caring for natural resources and everyone’s health. This is why it is so important to give these young people the possibility of meeting and sowing the seeds for a better future for us all"

"It is essential to guarantee young people from all corners of the world, the possibility to travel and attend this event, to enable them to be the creators of their own, and our common, future," says Joris Lohman, member of the Slow Food International Executive Committee and Slow Food Youth Network representative.

"The crowdfunding platform, available via the website www.wefeedtheplanet.com  , is an instrument to make this possible. Even through a small donation, we can make sure that those who deserve it most, to be in the EXPO spotlight", he added. Additionally, funds will go towards the 10,000 Gardens in Africa project, which is helping to change the future of many communities in the African continent.

Valere Tjolle

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