Bayer - Eco-Minds

Eco-Minds 2007 Report

Eco-Minds 2007: A sustainable development forum for bright young minds from Asia and the Pacific

The biennial program is part of the Bayer and UNEP partnership in global youth environmental activities

His Excellency Mr. Kasem Sanidvongs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand (second row, eighth left), His Excellency Dr. Christoph Bruemmer, The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand (back row, sixth left), Dominikus von Pescatore, Senior Bayer Representative for Country Group North ASEAN (back row, seventh left) and Surendra Shrestha, Regional Director Representative for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Programme (second row, sixth left) and Associate Professor Chalermchai Chaikittiporn, Vice President for Administration of Mahidol University (second row, ninth left) together with delegates from nine countries at the Eco-Minds opening ceremony.

Zoom imageHis Excellency Mr. Kasem Sanidvongs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand (second row, eighth left), His Excellency Dr. Christoph Bruemmer, The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand (back row, sixth left), Dominikus von Pescatore, Senior Bayer Representative for Country Group North ASEAN (back row, seventh left) and Surendra Shrestha, Regional Director Representative for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Programme (second row, sixth left) and Associate Professor Chalermchai Chaikittiporn, Vice President for Administration of Mahidol University (second row, ninth left) together with delegates from nine countries at the Eco-Minds opening ceremony.

Students from nine countries in Asia and the Pacific - Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – participated in the Eco-Minds 2007 Forum, an environmental program of Bayer and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) during May 31-June 3, 2007 in Thailand.

His Excellency Mr. Kasem Snidvongs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, was the guest of honor to welcome more than 150 distinguished guests and delegates at the inauguration ceremony held at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. He was accompanied at the ceremony by Surendra Shrestha, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Environment Programme; Dominikus von Pescatore, Senior Bayer Representative for Country Group North ASEAN and Managing Director of Bayer Thai Co., Ltd.; and Associate Professor Chalermchai Chaikittiporn, Vice President for Administration of Mahidol University.

In cooperation with the Mahidol University’s Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, the biennial forum was to address the challenges of sustainable development through practical uses of science and technology in an inter-disciplinary way among the young people. They had the unique opportunity to work within an international team to solve real-world problems of sustainable development.

“Under the slogan “Fresh Water Supply” you will have a chance to exchange your experiences worldwide – beyond boundaries of public and private organizations. We at Bayer want to strengthen your passion for sustainable development. I urge you to intensively exploit this opportunity in the interests of us all”, pointed out Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, responsible for Innovation, Technology and the Environment, in a video message for the young delegates.

(from left) - Surendra Shrestha, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Programme; His Excellency Dr. Christoph Bruemmer, The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand; Dominikus von Pescatore, Senior Bayer Representative for Country Group North ASEAN; His Excellency Mr. Kasem Sanidvongs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand; Associate Professor Chalermchai Chaikittiporn, Vice President for Administration of Mahidol University.

Zoom image(from left) - Surendra Shrestha, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Programme; His Excellency Dr. Christoph Bruemmer, The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand; Dominikus von Pescatore, Senior Bayer Representative for Country Group North ASEAN; His Excellency Mr. Kasem Sanidvongs, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand; Associate Professor Chalermchai Chaikittiporn, Vice President for Administration of Mahidol University.

Surendra Shrestha of UNEP said, "Over 40% of the population today are youth like you. You will be the leaders when Planet Earth will need to make gigantic changes; changes to be in harmony with ourselves, changes to be in harmony with our society, and changes to be in harmony with our nature including water for life."

With the focus on fresh water supply the Eco-Minds program 2007 included exploratory excursions to the Ruam-Tawan Centre, an environmental training center. During the forum session the students were also able to interact with internationally renowned resource experts. The panel of experts included, among others, Ian Kiernan, Chairman of Clean Up Australia and Clean up the world in Australia; and Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman of the SEATEC Group of Companies and former Minister of the Ministry of University Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

“As host of one of the successful environmental education programs in the region and this year being held in Thailand, we do strongly hope that participating youth fruitfully gain and share their experiences on sustainable development during the extensive program at different places in the Kingdom,” expressed Dominikus von Pescatore, Senior Bayer Representative for Country Group North ASEAN and Managing Director of Bayer Thai Co., Ltd.

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