We Feed The Planet: Day 1

I’m back! After a week in Milan for the Slow Food Youth Network’s “We Feed The Planet” conference, I’m back home – charged!

Entrance to the conference venue

It all happened so fast, I didn’t even have time to write about it while I was there. Days began early with the conference, and nights ended late with post-conference conversations among delegates.  But that’s when the most exciting discussions, and learning and exchange of ideas took place.

Day 1 of the conference didn’t quite feel like the first day. Many of us had already made friends with each other the previous day at registrations and on the metro ride to our accommodation.

Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food Movement

Nonetheless, this is how it officially began. After a welcome speech and a short lunch break, we were welcomed by Carlo Petrini, the founder of Slow Food.  He spoke about how happy he felt to be addressing such a large group of young food professionals, in the hands of whom the future of food rested.  What continues to inspire me about him is that the man has not only created a philosophy and a movement, but has seen it grow into a global phenomenon, with millions of followers! His thoughts have managed to unite thousands of people around the world working to change the food system, bringing them together, not once or twice, but every year, on platforms like Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, Indigenous Terra Madre, and now We Feed The Planet!

Thousands of people gathered to support one philosophy and manage the future of food!

Following Carlo Petrini’s speech, Raj Patel, activist, writer and academician delivered his keynote speech. One of his major areas of study is the behavior of food systems. His was an eloquent speech, again doing nothing short of inspiring and motivating us. At the end of it all, he shot a video of the whole crowd shouting “WE WILL FEED YOU!” - something to show his children, he said, so they know whom to thank in the future.

Raj Patel, speaking with great conviction, about the possibilities for the future

Later, we went to a local marketplace – Mercato Metropolitano, to have a Disco Soup for dinner. After the soup itself, it was time to disco! Hundreds of delegates from all over the world danced together to international tunes, jiving and making conga lines. It felt like we had been friends for ages!

Mercato Metropolitano