Through the 3-day event, participants were able to map policies and create solutions on Biodiversity and Biosecurity through the Global Policies Hackathon, established positions and connected with biodiversity youth organizations in the Biodiversity Youth Forum and communicated and defended their ideas with other synbio enthusiasts in the Synbio Debates.
Global Policies Hackathon - Sep 23rd-25th
Map the policies around Biodiversity and Biosecurity and identify problems in your community or country, and create solution proposals based on the mapped policies. The Global Policies Hackathon was held in collaboration with the biosecurity organization IBBIS and the participation of youth biodiversity organizations.
Biodiversity Youth Forum - Sep 24th
Synthetic biology can be used to maintain global biodiversity. However, some community sectors perceive its use in agriculture as problematic. During the Biodiversity Youth Forum, paticipants had the opportunity to network with representatives of different youth organizations making efforts on biodiversity; they also joined the discussions on the scientific and social aspects surrounding the topic and ultimately participated in a position of iGEMers about biodiversity.
SynBio Debates - Sep 23rd-24th
We challenged participants to debate on the most controversial topics in synthetic Biology. They unpacked their best verses, gathered their brainstorm powers and sharpened their minds to confront equally-bright teams in a series of epic debates on important topics that concern ethics, policy and synthetic biology.
Meet The Winners


Talks & Speakers
Safeguarding Modern Bioscience and Biotechnology: The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS)
The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS) ↗ is a new international entity that focuses on reducing biological risks associated with advances in technology. IBBIS will work collaboratively with global partners to strengthen biosecurity norms and develop innovative tools to uphold them. IBBIS will undertake this work to safeguard science and reduce the risk of catastrophic events that could result from deliberate abuse or accidental misuse of bioscience and biotechnology. IBBIS’ initial work will focus on developing biosecurity tools and best practices for DNA synthesis providers around the world to prevent the misuse of DNA synthesis technology ↗, but IBBIS’ activities will broaden over time.

Speakers

Hayley Severance - Deputy Vice President, Global Biological Policy and Programs (NTI | Bio)

Chris Isaac - Program Officer, Global Biological Policy and Programs (NTI | Bio)
Careers in Governance, Policy and Diplomacy for Scientists
A discussion was held around careers in governance, policy or diplomacy? We hosted Nancy Connell and Stephanie Norlock to share their career paths in the field, the challenges that they faced, their biggest takeaway working in governance and policy and many more!

Speakers

Nancy Connell - Senior Scientist, US-National Academies

Stephanie Norlock - IFBA’s Program Officer
Biodiversity Youth Forum
Synthetic biology can be used to maintain global biodiversity. However, some community sectors perceive its use in agriculture as problematic. During the Biodiversity Youth Forum, paticipants had the opportunity to network with representatives of different youth organizations making efforts on biodiversity; they also joined the discussions on the scientific and social aspects surrounding the topic and ultimately participated in a position of iGEMers about biodiversity.
