From the civil rights protests in the 1960s to the global climate movement–youth have been at the forefront of major social waves calling for change. Today, youth are adding their voice to the rippling call for global agri-food systems transformation.

The answer is clear–we need to focus on the untapped potential of youth to mobilize unprecedented global action for a better future of food for all.

The U.N. Food Systems Summits on September 23 collected ideas and solutions to fix our food systems, engaging more than 66,000 youth through dialogues over the course of 18 months. Their message was clear–they want to be in the driver’s seat. This is in large part because they will be most impacted by decisions that are shaping tomorrow’s food systems–especially as it relates to the rising effects of climate change.

The Summit highlighted the critical role of food systems in building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic, and to get us on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the end of this decade. FAO, joined by the other Rome-Based food-agencies–World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)–committed to ensuring that the ambitious outcomes of the Summit are fulfilled by 2030, to realize more inclusive, resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems.

To that effect, in alignment with the Summit, the Youth Committee of FAO launched the first-ever World Food Forum, a platform created for and led by youth. The aim of the World Food Forum was to spark the transformation of agri-food systems.  With its flagship event having taken place October 1-5, the World Food Forum featured over 65 sessions, including over 25 side events, artistic performances, innovation and film awards and masterclasses.  The Forum also prioritized marginalized voices by elevating perspectives from Indigenous youth and youth smallholder farmers.

The event also highlighted a youth assembly, which was tasked with developing an actionable plan and substantive guidance for governments and other key stakeholders, and a Youth Action Compendium.

Read the full article about KEYWORD by [u'Jocelyn Brown Hall', u'foodtank'] at Food Tank