Recupel and OVAM invite international students at World Resources Forum to brainstorm solutions for the e-waste issue
With Belgian youngsters marching against climate change, OVAM collaborates with students to face the e-waste challenge.
The massive turnout during the past Youth for Climate marches proves it: climate change is a hot topic among youngsters. At the upcoming World Resources Forum, co-organiser OVAM and Recupel invite 15 international students for a three-day boot camp. They will brainstorm about possible solutions to prevent, eradicate and recycle e-waste.
Recupel E-Loop Challenge
The electronic waste mountains around the world are growing due to our ever increasing appetite for electronics and digital devices. The Recupel E-Loop Challenge has called on students from around the globe to face this challenge head on and design out e-waste.
Over 1,800 applications
15 students have been selected out of 1,800 applicants. They will come to Antwerp from countries as diverse as Belgium, Germany, Greece, Algeria, Ghana, Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan and Mexico. Particularly interesting is the presence of Pakistani news anchor, columnist and youth activist Makhdoom Shahab-ud-Din.
Collaboration with experts from around the globe
Recupel, the Belgian organiser of the collection and processing of electronic waste, is taking steps towards a circular economy. That's why the World Resources Forum (February 24 through 27) is the perfect context for the three-day bootcamp.
"We think it is important to offer young people opportunities to develop their potential," says Annelies Evens from Recupel. "We want to give them a voice in the current climate debate. With the expertise available at the WRF, Recupel and OVAM, the students have a solid foundation to take on the e-waste challenge."
The students’ solutions will be presented during the closing session of the event to an audience of circular economy enthusiasts from all corners of society: scientists, policy makers, business leaders and beyond.
NOTE TO PRESS
Members of the press are welcome to attend the conference. You can request interviews with OVAM spokesperson Jan Verheyen, WRF Managing Director Bas de Leeuw, any of the students participating in the Recupel E-Loop Challenge or any of the other speakers. Interviews by telephone or video conference can also be requested. To book your interview slot please contact barbara@theovaloffice.be or call +32 479 93 22 82.
