The University of Turku was proud to host the Euro-Sino Symposium on Food, Health, and Sustainability, held from 3 to 4 October 2024 in Turku. The concluding event of the global pilot of Finland-China Food and Health Network (FCFH) gathered nearly 60 experts from leading European and Chinese universities and research institutions to discuss solutions to critical global challenges in food security, sustainable food systems, and public health.
The Symposium marked the culmination of FCFH, one of the global pilots of the internationalisation programme launched by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland. Since 2021, FCFH has fostered cooperation in research and innovation between Finnish and Chinese higher education institutions. The aim has been to promote scientific collaboration, drive new innovations, and foster partnerships between academia and business in areas related to food and health.
During the two-day event, participants had the opportunity to hear about the activities and outcomes of the FCFH network and to discuss key issues related to the impact of nutrition and sustainable food choices on health. Through a series of keynote speeches and discussions, the participants explored recent developments in sustainable practices in food production and food science, as well as green and digital technologies aimed at improving food quality, sustainability, safety and public health.
Shared research interests create fertile ground for further partnerships and science diplomacy
While the event served as a concluding milestone for the Finland-China Food and Health Network in its current form, it also held great promise for future collaborations and initiatives. In her welcoming words, Marjo Kaartinen, Rector of the University of Turku, mentioned the importance of personal connections in the research process, noting that meeting people is essential for fostering collaboration. She expressed her enthusiasm for responsible cooperative ventures and hoped that this event would mark the beginning, rather than the end, of an ongoing collaboration between Finnish and Chinese experts.
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Hongzhi Sun, First Secretary and Director of Educational Affairs at Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Finland. Dr. Sun highlighted the significant research achievements in food and health sciences, emphasising their alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable agriculture, food security and improved nutrition. He noted the growing importance of research in these fields, pointing out that both China and Finland have rich food cultures and scientific expertise in these areas, and expressed the Embassy's commitment to supporting ongoing collaboration activities.
Olli Suominen, Education and Science Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Beijing, addressed the importance of science diplomacy and responsible collaboration, emphasising the role of researchers as science diplomats. He noted that science diplomacy is in line with the EU's priority to strengthen Europe's position in the world. He also mentioned that Finland's and China's research interests are currently quite well aligned in areas such as climate change, clean transition, health and food. Suominen also acknowledged that risk awareness has increased significantly in recent years, underlining the need for continuous dialogue to find a balance between openness and de-risking.
Trade and Innovation Consul Mika Klemettinen from Business Finland discussed RDI cooperation with China, highlighting key opportunities for innovative partnerships and knowledge exchange. He outlined the support services available to facilitate successful collaborative projects, as well as key issues to consider before embarking on a partnership.
Network achievements and expert views offered ideas for the future
The closing symposium of the global pilot provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on what has been achieved and to build on this to develop ideas for future collaboration. The programme included a wide range of presentations on the main theme of the event in the areas of nutrition and health, sustainability and technology.
Professor Baoru Yang (University of Turku), Professor Marina Heinonen (University of Helsinki), Professor Marjukka Kolehmainen (University of Eastern Finland) and Professor Aki Manninen (University of Oulu) reviewed the activities and results of the network collaboration, noting that since its launch in 2021, the FCFH has organised various events, created collaborative projects, joint research initiatives and scientific publications. The network has also facilitated student and staff mobility, trained researchers at MSc and PhD levels, and developed new educational opportunities such as the Global Food Safety course. Other notable achievements include new innovations and increased awareness of global food and health issues.
Highlights of the symposium included keynote presentations from eminent researchers and experts in the field of food and health. Professor Jesmond Dalli from Queen Mary University of London offered insights into how Specialised Pro-Resolving Mediators regulate immunity and inflammation for health optimisation, while Professor Helle Margrete Meltzer from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health provided a Nordic perspective on sustainable diets. Professor Ali Mobasheri from the University of Oulu delivered a keynote presentation on Plant-based Supplements and Functional Foods for Joint Health, exploring cutting-edge research in nutrition technologies that support human well-being.
Header photo: Thomas Park / Unsplash
