Empowering 4-H Youth to Inspire Global Change on Canadian Soil

The Government of Canada, Syngenta Canada Inc., Bayer and Coca-Cola Canada invest in youth to inspire global change at the Global 4-H Network Summit

Ottawa, ON - December 7, 2016 - Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the Government of Canada’s support of $780,040 towards the Global 4-H Network Summit being hosted by 4-H Canada in Ottawa, Ontario next summer.

The Government of Canada strongly believes in the potential for youth to be actively involved in policy and in sharing their voice as global citizens. Between July 11 and 14, 2017, more than 600 4-H youth, volunteer leaders, professionals and partners will convene to address important issues related to sustainable agriculture, food security, the environment, healthy living, community engagement, communications, science and technology.

Syngenta Canada Inc., Bayer and Coca-Cola Canada also announced their support for the Global 4-H Network Summit.

During the event, Syngenta Canada Inc., 4-H Canada’s Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security Leadership Development Pillar partner will highlight some of the challenges of food production, farming and the environment and what can be done to make better use of available resources.

Bayer, 4-H Canada’s Science & Technology Leadership Development Pillar partner will support the Global 4-H Network Summit’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related programming.

The continuous support of Bayer has offered Canadian 4-H youth many opportunities to explore, experiment and discover their interests in STEM-related fields, including the 4-H Canada Science Fair and the Hands-on Science training program for volunteer leaders.

Coca-Cola Canada strives to create value and make a positive difference for Canadians. As 4-H Canada’s volunteer partner, Coca-Cola will help inspire dialogue on connecting global communities at the Global 4-H Network Summit.

Together with the generosity of the Government of Canada, Syngenta Canada Inc., Bayer and Coca-Cola Canada, 4-H Canada will connect 4-H youth, leaders and professionals from around the world to create sustainable global change and to share their voice as global citizens.

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Quotes

"The Global 4-H Network Summit is an incredible celebration of positive youth development. Our youth members are making a difference in their local communities and on a global scale. By creating a conversation on volunteerism, skill-building and labour gaps, we can inspire global change on Canadian soil!”
– Shannon Benner, CEO of 4-H Canada and Chair of the Global 4-H Network Board of Directors

“The Government is proud to work with 4-H Canada to help enhance youth leadership skills and increase opportunities for youth to learn about agriculture, as well as raising their awareness and interest in agricultural careers.”
- Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“As a long-time partner of 4-H Canada, Bayer is proud to extend our support of science and technology programming to the Global 4-H Network Summit. We believe curiosity and discovery need to be accessible and encouraged with today’s young leaders in agriculture. The greatest breakthroughs are yet to come, and we want 4-Hers to help lead the way.”
- Komie Hossini, Corporate Communications, Bayer Inc.

“Enhancing food security for our planet’s population has never been more important than it is today. 4-H Canada and the Global 4-H Network share our vision of empowering local agriculture leaders to meet this challenge through collaboration across boundaries.”
- Chris Davison, Head, Corporate Affairs Canada, Syngenta Canada Inc.

“At Coca-Cola Canada we believe we are only as strong as the communities where we live and work. We are proud to be supporting the great work of 4-H to not only foster sustainable communities but to also develop the next generation of leaders who will have a positive impact in Canada and around the world” - Krista Scaldwell, Vice President, Coca-Cola Ltd.

More Links:

4-H Canada
Global 4-H Network Summit
Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Bayer
Syngenta Canada Inc.
Coca-Cola in Canada

For more information, media may contact:

Elizabeth Jarvis Director of Marketing and Communications 4-H Canada ejarvis@4-hcanada.ca 613-759-1013 (ext. 130) or 613-809-7141

Jennifer Christie Global 4-H Network Summit Event Chair, 4-H Canada Jchristie@4-h-canada.ca 613-899-2221