ThinkYoung is a think tank focusing on young people. It was founded in 2009 in Brussels and has expanded to Geneva, Madrid, Hong Kong and Nairobi. It is a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim of making the world a better place for young people, by involving them in decision making processes and by providing decision makers with high-quality research on key issues affecting young people.
In 2019 ThinkYoung hosted a Circular Economy Debate at the European Parliament during the Entrepreneurship School with:
- Lieve Wierinck, Member of the European Parliament
- Anna Tari, President of the Circular Economy Institute
- Sophia Chrysopolou, Public Affairs Senior Advisor from The Coca-Cola Company
Panel discussants introduced participants to the concept of the circular economy, which suggest that a sustainable world does not mean a drop in the quality of life for consumers and can be achieved without loss of revenue or extra costs for manufacturers. The argument is that circular business models can be as profitable as linear models, allowing consumers to continue enjoying similar products and services.
The Institute’s President gave an overview of the scope of the circular economy, how it differs from sustainability, and how young people, startups and SMEs could embrace the model. She specifically made a point about the barriers of implementing circularity as well as the opportunities that can be found.
