On 25 May, the most recent event in the EuChemS Periodic Table workshop series, The role of Chemicals in our daily life: The Phosphorus element – feeding the world and beyond was held.

The morning session of the workshop took place in the European Parliament, in Brussels. It was Co-Chaired by prominent MEP Maria Spyraki and scientific-chair Evamarie Hey-Hawkins. Christos Vasilakos, senior policy adviser for MEP Spyraki was also present. After welcome and introductions from Mr Vasilakos, EuChemS President Floris Rutjes and Evamarie Hey-Hawkins, presentations from Nicola Armaroli, Alessandra Quadreli, and European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform president Robert van Spingelen were shown, followed by an engaging panel discussion. This session also gave an opportunity to participants to learn about the European Parliament’s science-policy priorities from MEP Spyraki.

The afternoon session was held on EuChemS Premises, where, after light lunch, additional speakers from all around the word, as well as the panellists from the morning session carried on with exciting conversation about this crucial element. Afternoon’s presentations were held by Dana Cordell, Chris Lawson, Chris Slootweg and Jan J. Weigand. The event concluded after a panel discussion involving author of the bestselling books “The Devil’s Element” and “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes”. During the discussions, a number of important questions were raised by the active, international online audience.