Students focus on sustainable energy systems

Australian university students are being asked to step forward with ideas on sustainable energy solutions for the 2009 Bayer-UNEP Eco-Minds Forum, and be in with a chance to represent Australia at an International Forum in Auckland, New Zealand.

In partnership with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the Bayer Eco-Minds program aims to foster awareness, thirst and passion for the environment among students from across the Asia–Pacific region.

In return, the winning students receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Auckland for the opportunity to present their ideas and participate in solution-orientated group work, cross-cultural activities and knowledge sharing in a bid to tackle real-life sustainable development issues.

In Australia, the initiative is being supported by environmentalist Jon Dee, who believes the Eco-Minds Forum is an opportunity for students to put their passion to good use.

“What better way for young Aussie students to get their suggestions for sustainable energy solutions out there,” said Dee.

“Eco-Minds provides the perfect forum for tomorrow’s leaders to exchange ideas with each other in a proactive, pan-Asia effort to make a very real difference to the future of our environment, today.”

2009 will see the third bi-annual Eco-Minds Forum take place. At the 2007 Forum in Thailand, university students Rachel Cain from the University of Adelaide, Laura Joseph from the University of Western Sydney and Eric Knight from Sydney University represented Australia when the best minds from across Asia–Pacific came together to explore real-life issues and sustainable development ideas for fresh water supply.

The forum will focus on the topic: Sustainable Energy Systems: Challenges and Opportunities.

As part of the week-long event, participants will look at some of the challenges around energy supply, including climate change, and the practical solutions that can overcome such challenges with a visit to New Zealand’s hydro and geothermal supply systems.

The Bayer-UNEP Eco-Minds is open to all university students aged 18–24 years with delegates from Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, India, Indonesia and China attending.

For entry details and application forms, visit www.eco-minds.bayer.com.