Program

Congress program, highlights and optional activities

Five days of plenary discussions, six Grand Conversations, thematic sessions, pre-congress workshops, GHI expert panels and scientific presentations – 5–9 July 2027 at Selçuk University in Konya, Türkiye.

SPECIAL PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

  • WORLD FOOD PRIZE celebration party for GHI founder and honorary president Prof. Dr. h.c. Huub Lelieveld

  • Congress special sessions

    PRE CONGRESS WORKSHOP: by European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG)

    GHI EXPERT FORUM
    From Fragmentation to Harmonization
    Voices of GHI: Expertise, Evidence & Action

    SPECIAL SESSIONS
    Precision Nutrition, Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals

    SPECIAL SESSION
    The Right to Food & The Right to Health organised by HeDPAC and GHI

  • Panel discussions
    SIX GRAND CONVERSATIONS
    Shaping the future of global food systems

    GRAND CONVERSATION 1
    Food Security, Food Sovereignty & Global Governance
    Who has access to food? Who controls the food system — and who should?

    GRAND CONVERSATION 2
    Global Food Safety & International Harmonization
    How safe is our food across borders? Can global standards protect everyone — and who sets them?

    GRAND CONVERSATION 3
    The Future of Food: Novel Foods, Alternative Proteins & Innovation
    What will we eat tomorrow? Can innovation transform our food system — and will consumers trust it?

    GRAND CONVERSATION 4
    Food Ethics, Animal Welfare & Responsibility
    What do we owe animals, people and the planet? Who is responsible for the consequences of our food choices?

    GRAND CONVERSATION 5
    The True Cost & Resilience of Food Systems
    What is the real cost of our food? Who pays — and how can food systems become more resilient?

    GRAND CONVERSATION 6
    Consumers, Trust & the Future of Food Choices
    Who shapes what we eat? Can consumers drive change — and what does it take to build trust?

GHI World Congress 2027

Congress Programme

Download Programme (PDF) Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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Optional Activities

These optional activities offer participants the opportunity to explore Türkiye’s production and R&D as well as its cultural, historical and natural heritage – while connecting with colleagues in an informal setting. Both can be booked via the registration form.

OPTIONAL

Congress Industry Field Trips

€ 50 per person

Visit local food production and R&D sites and gain first-hand insight into Türkiye’s food industry.

More information coming soon.

CONGRESS EXCLUSIVE

2-Day Cappadocia Extension Tour

€ 250 per person – private tour exclusively for congress attendees

Discover one of Türkiye’s most extraordinary regions with our private, congress-only Cappadocia tour, designed to offer comfort, culture and unforgettable landscapes. This special extension includes round-trip transportation from Konya to Cappadocia in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, two nights of hotel accommodation and a full-day guided excursion led by a licensed professional guide. Relax on the evening of your arrival and begin your Cappadocia adventure refreshed and ready to explore.

Your package includes:

  • Transportation Konya → Cappadocia → Konya
  • Hotel accommodation (2 nights) at selected Cappadocia hotels
  • Half board: daily breakfast and dinner, plus one lunch during the full-day excursion
  • Professional licensed guide
  • Private tour exclusively for congress attendees

Full-Day Cappadocia & Surroundings Tour

Your guided journey will take you through Cappadocia’s most iconic and historically rich sites.

STOP 1

Göreme Panorama

Start your day with breathtaking views over Göreme’s cave houses and volcanic formations – an ideal introduction to the region’s unique landscape.

STOP 2

Göreme Open Air Museum

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Explore the largest monastic complex in Cappadocia, home to rock-cut churches, chapels and monasteries decorated with remarkably preserved frescoes from the 10th–13th centuries. This spiritual centre was shaped by influential early Christian figures such as St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Gregory of Nazianzus.

STOP 3

Paşabağ (Monks Valley)

Walk among Cappadocia’s famous multi-stem fairy chimneys. Visit the chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and see the hermit shelter carved into a striking three-headed rock formation.

STOP 4

Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)

Enjoy a relaxed walk through whimsical rock formations shaped by nature into animals, figures and fantastical shapes – perfect for photography and creativity.

STOP 5

Uçhisar Castle

Climb to the highest natural viewpoint in Cappadocia. This ancient fortress offers panoramic views across valleys, villages and the region’s dramatic terrain.

STOP 6

Pigeon Valley

See thousands of pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Historically, pigeon droppings were collected as a valuable natural fertiliser, enriching the soil and supporting Cappadocia’s vineyards and agriculture – an early example of sustainable land stewardship.

STOP 7

Özkonak Underground City

Descend into one of Cappadocia’s remarkable underground settlements. Originally built by the Hittites and expanded by early Christians, these cities served as secure refuges during invasions. Explore tunnels, living quarters, kitchens, storage rooms and ingenious defensive systems.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON – € 250

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Experience

Before the tour begins, a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia can be arranged for interested participants. Details and booking will be confirmed closer to the date.

GHI Rotterdam Declaration

Looking back: read what we achieved during the 2nd GHI World Congress, 25–27 June 2025 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Join us in Konya, 5–9 July 2027

Register for the congress and book the optional activities in one step.