Following previous editions hosted in Canada, Australia, and Belgium, the 2019 Summit will take place in the country's purpose-built capital, Brasília, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
Home to Brazil's federal government as well as over 120 foreign embassies, Brasília is the ideal location to welcome the next crop of global advocates for agriculture - or 'agvocates' – who will shape the future of food.
Bayer New Zealand's Head of Crop Science Scott Hanson says he's thrilled that another young New Zealander will have the opportunity to attend such an invaluable and important event.
"The Youth Ag Summit inspires and enables young people to become active leaders for food security. This is an amazing opportunity for one young Kiwi with a passion for agriculture to present their innovative ideas on a global scale and help contribute to the world wide discussion of sustainability and development.
"There's never been a more important time for innovation, especially in the agricultural space, and as the leaders of tomorrow, our young people need to be at the forefront of the global discussion."
Beth Hampton, one of the 2017 alumni delegates and a graduate in Agribusiness and Environmental Science at Waikato University says, "food security is a global challenge and New Zealand has a role to play in addressing this issue".
"Last year's summit was an amazing opportunity to collaborate with an international cohort and it really challenged and developed my thinking about sustainable agriculture and issues of food security," says Hampton.
"It was hugely interesting and valuable to hear different global perspectives regarding environmental and agriculture policy, and I encourage any Kiwi with a passion for science and innovation to apply for this once in a lifetime opportunity."
How 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) are invited to 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. Delegates from each participating country will be selected based on their proposed project idea. Full application guidelines and information can be found here.
About the Youth Ag Summit
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.
