Food experts from Finland and China meet in Turku seeking solutions for sustainable food and healthy diet

Food and Health play a crucial role in sustainable development globally. The world’s population is anticipated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. How to secure food and balanced nutrition for the fast-growing population while battling against the climate change is a globally grand challenge.

Finland China Food and Health network (FCFH) is a global pilot programme established by the Ministry of Education and Culture to respond to the grand challenge. The network is coordinated by the University of Turku, joined by Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences as well as leading universities in China.

The speakers at the symposium are from leading Chinese universities (Peking University, China Agricultural University, Jiangnan University, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Beijing Forestry University, Shenzhen University) and Finnish universities including University of Turku, University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Oulu, Åbo Akademi University, University of Tampere, University of Jyväskylä, as well as experts from Finnish and Chinese companies.

“Finland and China have complementary strength in Food Science and Technology. The two countries also represent different structures of food supply chain and food cultures. Cooperation between scientists and industrial professionals from these two countries will produce new breakthrough in science and innovation”, commented Jukka Kola, the Rector of the University of Turku.

“The Symposium provides unique opportunities for researchers and professionals from the two countries to meet and discuss together the key questions crucial for solutions of sustainable food systems and healthy diet. The event will not only promote exchange of knowledge and ideas, but also enhance mutual understanding, creating new collaborations” said Professor Baoru Yang, Academic Chair of the Network.