BARILLA FOUNDATION JOINS RENZI IN EXPO FOOD LEADERSHIP
By Emily Backus
28 febbraio, 16:22
(ANSA) - Milan, February 28 - A foundation that bears the
name of Italy’s biggest pasta dynasty - Barilla - this week
jockeyed to launch an ambitious sustainable food initiative into
agenda of Italy’s new government in the run up to Milan Expo
2015.
The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) on Thursday
said it had joined the new Italian premier, Matteo Renzi, in
calling for Italy to show leadership in agriculture, food and
environment.The neo-premier had remarked on the role of the Milan Expo 2015 while addressing the Senate earlier in the week. The BCFN is calling upon national governments and international organizations to sign a Milan Protocol in time for the food-themed Expo to enshrine principles of coordinated action for a sustainable global food system. Following the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol for climate change, the Milan Protocol has three overarching goals: to slash food waste by half - 1.3 billion tons of edibles are tossed or lost around the world each year; to implement agrarian reforms to limit food-based biofuels and speculation; and to tackle obesity, emphasizing food education and healthy lifestyles, as Michelle Obama has in the United States with her Let’s Move! campaign.
The world fair theme is "Feeding the planet - Energy for life," tackling issues such as food security, hunger, and with promoting environmentally, socially, economically sustainable global food production practices.
More than 140 countries are participating in the Universal Exposition, which takes place next year from May 31 to October 31 in an area of more than 100 hectares near Milan's massive Rho Pero trade fair exhibition centre.
This week news emerged that China is preparing for a massive presence there. On Thursday, China presented at a press conference in Beijing its plans for its Expo pavillion. Covering 4590 metres, it will be the world fair’s second largest after Italy’s landmark centre-piece for the event. However there will also be two additional pavilions representing the Chinese, announced Wang Jinzhen, who is vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Ccpit) and head of China’s participation at Expo. One of the two additional pavilions is curated by Vanke, a Chinese real estate giant. The other is under the wing of a consortium of Chinese businesses.
Both will be “integral parts” of the main Chinese pavilion, said Wang.
The main Chinese pavilion will be divided into four themes and as many exhibitions. In the first, Paradise, the importance of respect for nature will be underlined. The second, Land, covers the physical and geographical structure of China.
Humanity is dedicated to the Chinese civilization, whereas Harmony is a reflection on the importance of balance and sustainable development.
