GHI NextGen Wing

Chair

Mark Sandow
Netherlands

Vice Chairs

Chinonso C. Nwosu
United Kingdom

Mahsa Farrokhi
Portugal

Daniel Ashenden
United Kingdom

Maja Bensa
Slovenia

Sandra Nnamani
United Kingdom

Introduction

The Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI) recognizes the vital role of early career scientists, students, and professionals in shaping the future of food safety, food security, and sustainability in the world today.  To amplify their voices and create pathways for meaningful participation, GHI is establishing the GHI NextGen. This initiative provides a structured platform for early career people to contribute ideas, take on leadership roles, and represent GHI in academic and public spaces worldwide. By engaging in science communication, education, outreach, and more, GHI NextGen strengthens the bridge between generations of experts and ensures that the future of food safety, food security, and sustainability is driven by innovation and inclusivity.

Mission

Our mission is to empower the next generation of food safety, food security, and sustainability leaders by creating a new dynamic force within the Global Harmonization Initiative. We provide a platform for students and early-career scientists ranging from high school to PhD to actively engage in science communication, leadership, and global collaboration. GHI is committed to fostering inclusivity, innovation, and creativity by encouraging NextGen to lead outreach projects, host webinars, produce various format science explainers, multimedia and participate in international seminars, workshops, and conferences. Through these initiatives, we aim to empower Next Generation professionals to take on leadership roles in shaping global standards and practices in food safety, food security, and sustainability.

Vision

Our vision is to empower a vibrant, Next Generation-driven community that inspires change and builds a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. We cultivate a global network of students and young professionals who represent GHI in universities and forums while pioneering new ways of communicating science and raising awareness across diverse audiences. Through roles such as Next Gen Chairs, Outreach Leads, Content Coordinators, and Media Representatives, GHI NextGen will lay a solid foundation for future leadership. Looking ahead, we envision a future where NextGen scientists continue to drive global collaboration, break barriers in science communication, and ensure that the principles of food safety, food security, and sustainability are accessible, engaging, and impactful across all generations.

With our supervisor at the 2nd GHI World Congress in Rotterdam, 2025.

Topics & Objectives

The NGWW’s work is guided by actionable objectives and measurable outcomes:

  • Target Areas of Focus: Identify critical sectors where the next generation can have transformative impact, such as technology, environment, education, and policy.

  • Skills and Knowledge Development: Provide learning opportunities to equip members with leadership, problem-solving, and innovation capabilities.

  • Collaboration & Networking: Build partnerships across organizations, industries, and regions to maximize collective impact.

  • Innovation & Implementation: Explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches to address societal and sectoral challenges.

  • Evidence-Based Strategies: Collect and analyze data to inform decision-making, policy development, and project design.

  • Global Perspective & Harmonization: Develop shared frameworks, best practices, and consensus-driven recommendations for scalable, globally relevant solutions.

Currently, the NGWW recognizes that challenges and opportunities vary widely across regions and sectors. For example, educational access, technological infrastructure, and sustainability practices differ globally, affecting the scalability and relevance of initiatives. By examining best practices and evidence from multiple contexts, the Wing aims to identify approaches that are broadly applicable while respecting local needs and constraints.

The NGWW plans to address a number of priority areas, including:

  • Building consensus on leadership, innovation, and collaboration strategies for emerging leaders.

  • Investigating effective tools, methods, and programs to accelerate skill development and impact.

  • Considering the balance between innovation, feasibility, and long-term societal benefits in decision-making.

  • Offering guidance and recommendations for harmonized approaches to empower next-generation initiatives globally.

Feels energetic, modern, and future-focused, the NGWW is designed to be both a think tank and a launchpad—where ideas are tested, skills are honed, and the next generation of leaders are prepared to make a tangible impact.

Meetings

Online monthly.

Interested in joining this Working Group?

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