By way of the webinar series EAT THIS! World Horti Center and NethWork offer an online stage to inspiring speakers to discuss the future of food and the current food production system. They share their future vision with the audience and this leads to interesting discussions, insights and inspiration.
The famous architect and writer Rem Koolhaas started the series on May 6 and shared his opinions on the prominent role horticulture is fulfilling when it comes to the global developments in the countryside. He praised the commitment of horticultural companies, especially in the field of sustainability, energy management and focus on production. He did indicate however, that to find solutions for societal problems, a strong relationship between the horticultural sector and that society is needed.
Philosopher Clemens Driessen continued Mr. Koolhaas line of thinking by giving an engaging presentation on the history of professional horticulture. Back then, horticulture was much more that just focusing on production. Palaces where horticultural practices were exercised, were also meeting places where art, design, culture and politics came together. He thinks that horticulture in these days can play an important role regarding societal issues such as sustainability, healthy food and climate. He challenged the sector to reinvent itself by redefining its role in society and to build new business models.
His story paved the way for Meiny Prins to share her vision on the world, the societal challenges we’re facing today and to describe the role of food and food production. Her passionate presentation Mrs. Prins asked the audience: ‘What is the plan?’ And continued to explain her answer to that question: creating sustainable urban deltas. Within these sustainable urban deltas, food production plays an important role and contributes to (new) entrepreneurship, social cohesion and a healthy, green working environment.
Line up
Henry Gordon Smith, managing director of Agritecture, follows in Meiny Prins’ footsteps on May 27. He argues that a ‘smart city’ needs ‘smart horticulture’. He will explore the opportunities and added values of combining Smart Cities & Smart Agriculture. He will be accompanied by Dave Chen, CEO of private equity firm Equilibrium. During the EAT THIS! session of June 3, Dave Chen will discuss the need for a positive impact of sustainable investments, the link with controlled environment production and the value of the horticultural sector for society.
Additional information and registration
The webinar series EAT THIS! is co-organized by World Horti Center and NethWork and the sessions take place every Wednesday from 16:00 hrs CET onwards. Previous webinars can be viewed here. Please register for the upcoming session with Henry Gordon Smith and Dave Chen on May 27, 16.00 hrs CET here. For the session with Dave Chen as key note speaker on June 3, you can sign up here.
For more information:
World Horti Center
Europa 1
2672 ZX Naaldwijk
Netherlands
+31 (0)174 385 600
info@worldhorticenter.nl
www.worldhorticenter.nl
www.nethwork.info