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Eco-Minds 2009 Report
Eco-Minds 2009 Report
Eco-Minds youth forum 2009 New Zealand
Sustainable energy systems main focus
In 2009 it was New Zealand’s turn to host the biannual Eco-Minds youth forum.
(Click to view a video of the highlights of the programme)
Held from May 25 – 29, the theme of Eco-Minds 2009 was Sustainable Energy Systems: Challenges and Opportunities.
This was a reflection of the importance energy generation plays in today’s world of climate change and its associated problems.
New Zealand is also an ideal country to host such a topic as it has high levels of expertise in renewable forms of energy generation, eg, hydro, geothermal and wind.
Twenty-five students from throughout the Asia Pacific region attended Eco-Minds 2009 in New Zealand along with 10 journalists from various countries.
Participating countries were: China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
Joining Bayer in hosting Eco-Minds in New Zealand were the University of Auckland and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.
The university provided the academic content of the Eco-Minds programme, organised key speakers and arranged site visits to power generation facilities.
The UNESCO commission provided financial support, advice and mentoring support for the students. Eco-Minds was also honoured to be joined by UNEP regional director Dr Young-Woo Park (days one and two) and by Bayer German sustainability expert Dr Ulrich Bornewasser.
Starting in Auckland on May 25 with sightseeing and introductions, Eco-Minds was officially opened on Tuesday May 26 by His Excellency, the Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony were: Bayer Senior Representative for Australia and New Zealand Hans-Dieter Hausner, Auckland University Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, National Commission for UNESCO chair Bryan Gould, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority CEO Mike Underhill and Dr Ulrich Bornewasser from Germany.
Dr Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, responsible for Innovation, Technology and the Environment and for the Asia-Pacific region, joined the forum through a pre-recorded video message.
Through Bayer’s international cooperation with UNEP, the aim of Eco-Minds was to strengthen young people's environmental awareness and improving their knowledge of sustainable development.
The five-day forum began in Auckland and concluded in Rotorua. It included site visits to the Huntly power station, the Lake Karapiro hydro dam and the Wairakei geothermal field.
Students also received lectures from University of Auckland experts and other experts from New Zealand power companies.
main component of the programme was the splitting of students into teams so they could work on coming up with their own solutions to the challenges surrounding sustainable energy systems.
The winning team focused its presentation on a strategy for a low carbon future based on sustainable renewable technologies.
This included a look at the economic, social, environmental, technological and political challenges and opportunities for sustainable development.
The winning team was made up of students from various backgrounds and disciplines, but all are key to addressing the issue of sustainability.
The winning students and their backgrounds are: Desideria Murti (Indonesia) Social Science and Politics; Daniel Scott (New Zealand) Engineering; Gerard Penecilla (Philippines) Biology; Cindy Marattanachai (Thailand) Engineering; and Alex Readford (Australia) Resource Management and Law.
Each student was presented with a Pathfinder Award trophy by Dr Ulrich Bornewasser.
The Eco-Minds youth forum 2009 in New Zealand has been heralded a success by organizers and participants.
Participating students are continuing to network with each other through Facebook and other online forums.
(Click to view a video of the highlights of the programme)
Held from May 25 – 29, the theme of Eco-Minds 2009 was Sustainable Energy Systems: Challenges and Opportunities.
This was a reflection of the importance energy generation plays in today’s world of climate change and its associated problems.
New Zealand is also an ideal country to host such a topic as it has high levels of expertise in renewable forms of energy generation, eg, hydro, geothermal and wind.
Twenty-five students from throughout the Asia Pacific region attended Eco-Minds 2009 in New Zealand along with 10 journalists from various countries.
Participating countries were: China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
Joining Bayer in hosting Eco-Minds in New Zealand were the University of Auckland and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.
The university provided the academic content of the Eco-Minds programme, organised key speakers and arranged site visits to power generation facilities.
The UNESCO commission provided financial support, advice and mentoring support for the students. Eco-Minds was also honoured to be joined by UNEP regional director Dr Young-Woo Park (days one and two) and by Bayer German sustainability expert Dr Ulrich Bornewasser.
Starting in Auckland on May 25 with sightseeing and introductions, Eco-Minds was officially opened on Tuesday May 26 by His Excellency, the Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony were: Bayer Senior Representative for Australia and New Zealand Hans-Dieter Hausner, Auckland University Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, National Commission for UNESCO chair Bryan Gould, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority CEO Mike Underhill and Dr Ulrich Bornewasser from Germany.
Dr Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, responsible for Innovation, Technology and the Environment and for the Asia-Pacific region, joined the forum through a pre-recorded video message.
Through Bayer’s international cooperation with UNEP, the aim of Eco-Minds was to strengthen young people's environmental awareness and improving their knowledge of sustainable development.
The five-day forum began in Auckland and concluded in Rotorua. It included site visits to the Huntly power station, the Lake Karapiro hydro dam and the Wairakei geothermal field.
Students also received lectures from University of Auckland experts and other experts from New Zealand power companies.
main component of the programme was the splitting of students into teams so they could work on coming up with their own solutions to the challenges surrounding sustainable energy systems.
The winning team focused its presentation on a strategy for a low carbon future based on sustainable renewable technologies.
This included a look at the economic, social, environmental, technological and political challenges and opportunities for sustainable development.
The winning team was made up of students from various backgrounds and disciplines, but all are key to addressing the issue of sustainability.
The winning students and their backgrounds are: Desideria Murti (Indonesia) Social Science and Politics; Daniel Scott (New Zealand) Engineering; Gerard Penecilla (Philippines) Biology; Cindy Marattanachai (Thailand) Engineering; and Alex Readford (Australia) Resource Management and Law.
Each student was presented with a Pathfinder Award trophy by Dr Ulrich Bornewasser.
The Eco-Minds youth forum 2009 in New Zealand has been heralded a success by organizers and participants.
Participating students are continuing to network with each other through Facebook and other online forums.
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