AEGEE Youth Think Tank “Create & In(ter)novate!” looked for innovative solutions in energy and mobility
In the scope of it’s flagship project “Sustainining our Future”, AEGEE organised on March 19-21 the first pan-European youth think tank, taking place in Brussels. This think tank was designed to involve young European students and young professionals with pressing matters on energy and mobility.
It involved 50 young people from 11 countries throughout Europe formulating creative new and innovative ideas concerning questions put forward by industry.
On the first day the participants visited the European Renewable Energy House in Brussels, had a lobbying tour through the European quarter and improved their teamwork skills in workshops.
Friday, the main day, the participants spent in groups working a full day on the issues they were given the same morning.
The questions were:
1. Renewable energy and transport: how to push the car industry to
invest money for the development of a new era of cars fuelled with
renewables?
2. Renewable energy and public admin: how to convince the public
administration, both at governmental and local levels, to invest
public money in green transport and renewable energy, e.g. installing
solar panels on public buildings and using only renewable energy for
buses and metro?
3. Sustainability, energy and consumption: how can emerging and 3rd
world countries increase their living standards without compromising
the earth’s resources?
4. Energy and consumption: How can we save energy in daily life
without decreasing living standard, consumption and harming economy?
These questions were put forward by TUSIAD (the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association) and SolarPV Globe (global communication consultancy to the photovoltaic sector).
The answers defined were judged by our independent jury, consisiting of representatives of TUSIAD, SolarPV Globe and young people working for the European Union. The best answer went home with the prize of 1000 euro. The idea that was voted the best was written by team "Adioma", with members studying in Brussels and Leuven.
The winning team wrote an answer to the 4th question, engaging in both short term and long term prospectives: short term introducing “green” television programmes to mainstream television, and long term with sustainable education programs.
The prize was awarded at a reception to all participants, given by TUSIAD
The event gave a great opportunity to the participants to experience a more corporate view on sustainability issues, putting forward new solutions to existing problems and giving them the chance to meet other active young Europeans and representatives of industry and European institutions.
The Think Tank had participants from countries as diverse as The Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Greece, Rumania, Germany and Russia.
The winning answer can be found on our website: www.aegee.org/sustaining
For more information please contact:
Robin Verschuren
Vice-President & External Relations Director of AEGEE-Europe
Phone: +32 2 45 2300 or mobile: +32 479 587634
E-mail: robin.verschuren (at) aegee.org
