In the present time the world and all living things are suffering from many global crises. These crises, which involve various interconnected fields of food, environment and energy, began when the human race entered the industrial era. This condition has been escalating rapidly, and we can now feel the degradation of the earth’s quality in every step that we take. Thus the world needs us, the young generations, to bring an end to these situations and pending global crises. We, as students, might not have the power to control the CO2 emissions of every car, or the irresponsible actions of industries around the globe. Nor do we have enough resources or capital to give food to the poor. However, we do have the ability to utilize the unlimited creativity we possess. We have the power to use our ideas to help prevent, reduce and stop the crises we are facing.

1. In order to deal with the food crisis—food security, food safety, and food diversity—there are some important points that we have to consider. Maximizing production yields, advancing environmentally friendly agricultural technology, and keeping our environment safe are going to lead us to better and sustained production, improved health status, and stabilized prices of agricultural products. We need to also ensure that food is distributed evenly throughout the world, and that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.

2. Solving the Global Energy Crisis requires students’ role in promoting efficient usage of energy resources. At the same time, we have to start thinking about how to develop methods of using alternative energy, and, more importantly, conserving energy. This will help protect the environment and slow down the depletion rate of non-renewable energy resources in order to extend the research period for creating and finding sustainable substitutes for future generations.

3. One of the first steps toward understanding and being aware of the environmental crisis is to connect with nature. If we realize and learn about nature, we can understand what damages and what is good for the ecosystem. Sustainable practices should be equally profitable economically, socially and environmentally, whether in developed or developing countries. National, community and personal levels should work together with legislation, co-operatives and organizations through education information and promotion, and we, as students, should play a key role in this.

4. Global sustainability is the actualization of creating, sustaining and improving the social environmental and economic conditions of all living things and Planet Earth, both now and for future generations. Global sustainability itself covers a wide range of supporting elements, such as profitable farming, environmentally friendly techniques, renewable resources, education, global common knowledge, efficiency, a “walk-the-talk” philosophy, and continuous reflection and re-evaluation. Creative ideas from passionate and agriculturally-vested youth, as the next generation of agriculturalists and decision-makers, are needed to solve current and ongoing global crises.

After several days of discussion, the participants of this International Students Summit have come to a conclusion. With the sub-theme of “Creative solutions employed by nations in response to the global food, energy, and environmental crisis,” we will continue sharing our knowledge, broadening our understanding, and connecting people to changes in sustainable agriculture and natural resources at both local and global scales. We have developed a shared knowledge that with the communication network of the world in our hands, we will be able to reach our goals. Building connections and sharing perspectives with students all over the world who have the same passion and goals is essential in this process. From the discussion we had between participants of the Summit we have decided that the sub-theme for next year will be…

“Students Taking Action”

-Expanding Knowledge Sharing in the Agriculture, Energy and Environmental Sectors-

9 October, 2009
International Students Summit