Conference on Food Labelling

25 April 2024

Queen Mathilde attended the scientific symposium "Experiences and perspectives on front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems" in Brussels.

This meeting was hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and brought together high-level experts, policymakers and researchers from all over Europe. 

"A recent worldwide study published in The Lancet estimates that 879 million adults and 159 million children and teenagers are now obese. That comes to 12% of the world’s population. If current trends continue, by 2035 one in two people will be overweight or obese.

The situation of children and young people is particularly worrying. According to the WHO-Europe’s latest study, 29% of children aged seven to nine are overweight or obese, with a higher prevalence among boys than girls."

"In Belgium, excess weight affects 19% of children and young people, with even higher levels in those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.""

They discussed specific labelling strategies to get consumers to make balanced food choices.

Queen Mathilde Award 2024

24 April 2024

Queen Mathilde handed out the annual "Queen Mathilde Award" to De Trappen, KMSKA's youth work.

"Le Fonds demande aux jeunes d’accorder une attention particulière à la durabilité de leurs initiatives. Ils bénéficient pour cela de leçons de coaching et d’un accompagnement assuré par des adultes. Ils acquièrent les techniques nécessaires pour lancer leur projet sur une base durable et financièrement saine. Ces sessions de coaching sont un stimulant pour les jeunes, qui découvrent ainsi ce que signifie concrètement l’entrepreneuriat social : recevoir des responsabilités, mais surtout les assumer.

Une autre particularité de ce trajet est que la réussite et l’échec y ont leur place. Jamais la volonté d’aboutir n’est remise en question. Cela permet aux jeunes de réagir à temps dès qu’ils constatent qu’un objectif n’est pas réalisable. Apprendre à surmonter une déception rend les jeunes plus forts et plus confiants en leur avenir. Cela leur ouvre également les portes du monde des adultes."

Previous to the award ceremony, the Queen had a meeting with members of the youth jury who selected the laureats, and with representatives of the 14 nominated projects.

For a couple of years now, the Queen Mathilde Foundation has been granting financial support to organizations who help young people to find their voice.

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