What will our children eat in 2050? | VIGS Panel Discussion

As the official side event of Future Forward, Austria’s leading innovation conference, the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) invites you to a thought-provoking panel discussion on the future of food and water:“What Will Our Children Eat in 2050?”

By 2050, the global population will surpass 9.7 billion. Climate change, shrinking arable land, and growing inequality in access to food and water are transforming how humanity survives and sustains itself. Floods, droughts, and supply chain disruptions are no longer distant possibilities, they are defining the present.

At the same time, innovation is reshaping how we grow, distribute, and consume resources. From AI-enabled agriculture and precision farming to desalination, water recycling, and alternative proteins, science and technology are expanding what’s possible. Yet the greatest challenge remains: connecting breakthroughs with policies and behaviors that can scale globally.

Key Topics

• Climate pressure on global food and water systems
• Emerging technologies: AI, biotech, and circular agriculture
• Alternative proteins and the cultural shift in how we eat
• Desalination, water recycling, and equitable access to resources
• Policy, innovation, and collaboration across borders
• Europe’s role in leading sustainable food and water transformation

Speakers

The discussion will feature scientists, innovators, corporate leaders, and policymakers from around the world, each bringing grounded insights and lived experiences. Rather than a purely technical debate, this will be a conversation about impact, how ideas become solutions that shape our shared future.

Special Feature

The event is the official side event of Future Forward, Austria’s leading innovation conference. Selected speakers will also receive invitations to contribute to sessions at the main conference.

Event Details

📍 Venue: WeXelerate, Praterstraße 1, 1020 Vienna
🕓 Date & Time: Friday, 28 November 2025 | 16:30 – 20:00

Agenda:
16:30 – 17:00 – Arrival & Registration
17:00 – 19:00 – Keynotes, Panel Discussion & Q&A
19:00 – 20:00 – Networking Reception

About the Organizer

The Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) is a cutting-edge research center at Modul University Vienna, founded by Professor Dr. Zoltán Ács. Inspired by institutions such as the Santa Fe Institute and the RAND Corporation, VIGS combines economic and complexity science approaches to understand and address the world’s most pressing global challenges.

🔗 Registration is free, but spots are limited. Reserve your seat today and join us for this important VIGS milestone!