The world is currently facing many challenges and sustainable agriculture can be used as a tool to address these issues that affect present and future generations. A large portion of the world’s population is not aware of their existence. The general consensus of the participants of this summit, through discussion and research, is that youth are a perfect target audience to tackle these challenges and increase global awareness of the importance of sustainable agriculture for all individuals and nations. Thus we believe it is vital to awaken people’s consciousness through improved education and networks.?

This summit has identified two types of education: academic, and practical on farm education. Academic education should be improved to reflect the current state of agricultural systems within a global worldview.? Educational systems should serve as avenues to cultivate interests in agriculture with programs that focus on an integrated view; taking into account environmental, social, and economic factors. On farm education serves as a platform for applying knowledge received in the classroom. Within field experiences, individuals can also gain insight from farmers on solutions to actual problems.

Both of these forms of education occur within a climate of exponentially growing technology, which gives us a means to blur the separation between nations, between urban and rural populations, and allow for a free exchange of ideas and concepts. The internet, including social networking, publications, and the instantaneous relay of information, serves as a catalyst for connection between individuals. While these connections develop they can incrementally foster global awareness.
The combination of improved education mentioned above, with a permeation of global awareness through the evolution of technology, will eventually solidify agro-literacy, which is a comprehensive understanding of all the dimensions concerning agriculture. If the educational changes proposed by this summit are implemented, agro-literate and sustainable societies will naturally occur. Only these societies will be able to undertake the challenges presented, and solve them by creating and employing projects based on local situations and shared experiences. The youth of today have the potential to embody this scenario and make it a reality.

It is the hope of current participants, that future members of ISS seek and employ solutions from their research and presentations. Thus the ISS would move from a theoretical exercise toward practical application. It is with this mindset that was have decided that the theme of the Ninth International Students Summit should be on the creative solutions employed by nations in response to the global food, energy and environmental crisis. Students should investigate this theme with the intention of identifying ways in which they can take action to have a positive impact on food, agriculture and the environment in the new century.

Theme of 9th ISS- Creative solutions employed by nations in response to the global food, energy and environmental crisis.

10 October, 2008
International Students Summit