The main purpose of this international competition is to raise awareness of the importance of bees and the mission of beekeepers, as well as mutual cooperation and integration in the care of sustainable development and the transfer of knowledge and experience between generations.

The competition of IMYB itself has several parts – usually it is divided into the following disciplines:

• manual work with bees (a real colony of bees)
• recognition of beekeeper´s tools
• recognition of different sorts of honey
• microscopy and anatomy
• recognition of bee forage plants
• academic knowledge

Supported by passionate bee ambassadors and educators, Anita Long and team leader Aaron De La Torre, the children from Tasmania Reuben, Audrey and Lilith were escorted across to Europe in June.

They travelled to Slovenia for the competition, which was held in Ivančna Gorica, between July 3rd and July 7th 2023, organized by the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and the Municipality of Ivančna Gorica. More than 150 participants from 30 countries are took part, from all continents of the world.

The team performed well and did Australia proud coming an unbelievable 5th place in the Country Competition, with Ruben Wherrett taking out 2nd Place in the Individual Competition, collectively they have shown that Australia is both a team that have a great attitude and an ability to succeed on the world stage.