Bayer and UNESCO to send students to Manila forum

Bayer and UNESCO to send students to Manila forum

Three tertiary students with a passion for sustainable development will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Philippines later this year ­ thanks to a partnership announced today between the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and Bayer New Zealand Ltd.

They will attend the inaugural Eco-Minds forum in the Manila from October 26 to 31, where they will work with delegates from eight other countries to develop creative and practical solutions for addressing the challenge of sustainable development. Eco-Minds is a new Asia-Pacific youth forum organised as part of a global partnership between Bayer and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The programme is an official New Zealand project of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD).

The trio will be selected in a Bayer New Zealand-sponsored national Eco-Minds Challenge open to university or polytechnic students aged 18 to 24 from the fields of natural sciences; engineering or technology; social sciences, commerce, management and law.

Announcing the Eco-Minds Challenge, Bayer New Zealand spokesman Phil McSweeney said science and technology were key to the attainment of sustainable development. However, socio-economic and cultural factors also played an important role.

"Supporting youth forums such as Eco-Minds is a major focus of Bayer's social commitment, particularly in the fields of education and sustainable development. "

"We're thrilled to be able to send three New Zealand students to such an important forum where they will not only share ideas with other students, but also learn from world renowned sustainable development speakers."

Elizabeth Rose, Secretary-General of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO said the organisation was delighted to be working with Bayer New Zealand on Eco-Minds, in the year of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Development.

"The global vision for the decade is a world where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from quality education and learn the values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for positive societal transformation," she said.

"Forums such as Eco-Minds play an important role in bringing together young people to work on making this vision a reality. "

Posters and information brochures will be available from scholarship offices, deans, and heads of department at tertiary institutions throughout New Zealand this month or students can visit www.ecominds.co.nz Entries close at the end of July.

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About Bayer

Bayer is an international, research-based group with major businesses in health care, crop science and high tech materials. Employing some 115,000 people worldwide, and almost 900 in Australia/New Zealand, the Bayer Group has a portfolio of over 10,000 products and operations in nearly all countries of the globe. Worldwide operations are managed from Group headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany. In New Zealand, Bayer aims to make a positive contribution to the community, not only by providing innovative solutions, but also through our educational partnerships. For example, Bayer supports ongoing clinical research and educational initiatives in the treatment of haemophilia. On a broader scale, we believe social commitment also extends to the environment. We support initiatives to preserve and protect New Zealand's native flora and fauna, such as the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre, and have established a unique plant sanctuary at our East Tamaki warehouse where rare native plants are grown.

Bayer has had a presence in Australia and New Zealand for more than 75 years. For more information on Bayer visit www.bayer.co.nz or contact:

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