On May 12, 2026, the international student event Green Plate Forum 4.0: Think Global, Eat Local took place at BOKU University in Vienna, bringing together students from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and BOKU Vienna. The event focused on sustainable food production, responsible consumption, and the exchange of innovative approaches to addressing global challenges within food systems. The program combined expert presentations with an interactive culinary experience, where student outputs were paired with themed dishes inspired by different regions of the world. The activity was implemented as part of the SustainMind: Enhancing Sustainability Awareness in Agri-Food Systems project, a student-centred initiative supported by the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) under the subject area System Analysis and Design of Agri-Food Systems in a Changing Climate.
CZU was represented by a team of students from the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, namely Castro Martinez Paula Andrea, Červená Natálie, Eke Francis Ikechukwu, Kuang Danqi, Mílová Markéta, Žďánský Radek, and Martin Richter, working under the supervision of Petra Chaloupková and Olga Leuner. The students produced three educational videos addressing the topics of sustainable production of Czech beers, food waste management at CZU canteen, and sustainable shrimp production in Colombia. Their presentations showcased practical examples of sustainable approaches in diverse contexts and contributed to discussions on linking local and global dimensions of food production. Students from SLU complemented the program with a contribution offering a global perspective on food waste management.
An important role in organizing the event was played by 20 BOKU students, who prepared refreshments and moderated the entire program. Green Plate Forum 4.0 thus created an inspiring platform for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of both practical and communication skills among students. For FTZ participants, the event represented not only an opportunity to present their work at the international level but also a valuable experience in interdisciplinary cooperation and in communicating sustainability topics to a broader audience.
