Building a sustainable future: Youth take center stage at the World Food Forum flagship event

At the recent World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, the session titled “From policy to action: Youth shaping global agrifood systems” brought together youth leaders, ambassadors and advocates to drive a compelling dialogue on the importance of youth engagement in shaping sustainable agrifood systems.

Watch the event recording.

The need for inclusive youth leadership

Corinna Hawkes, Director of the Food Systems and Food Safety Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), delivered the keynote address that underscored the critical need for youth engagement in agrifood systems transformation. She addressed the growing demands on these systems beyond the traditional roles in production, distribution and sales. They are now expected to guarantee food security and produce safe, nutritious and diverse food. Hawkes highlighted that challenges arise from a lack of resources, investment and policy support and how youth can bridge this gap with innovation.

Youth-led innovation and policy transformation

The session had an engaging panel discussion moderated by Gabriel Adami, WFF Youth Policy Board (YBP) member from Brazil. Speakers included H.E. Jurriaan Middelhoff , Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work; Ida Simonsen, United Nations youth representative for the Netherlands; Marco Cavalcante, Director for Strategic Coordination, Programme and Policy Development Department at the World Food Programme (WFP); and Judy Kipkenda, co-chair of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. The panel emphasized the role of youth as digital innovators and agents of change to advance sustainability.

Simonsen highlighted the importance of empowering youth across diverse backgrounds, especially marginalized groups, through an inclusive policy cycle that fosters intergenerational collaboration. This approach, she asserted, would enable youth to "dismantle the toxic power structures within our food systems."

Judy Kipkenda highlighted Indigenous knowledge as a valuable form of climate-smart agriculture, emphasizing ecosystem balance and sustainable practices, like drought-resistant crops and natural fertilizers that can be eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic inputs.

From policy to action: Implementing sustainable practices

WFF YPB members Maria Jose Cervantes from Costa Rica and Osman Naqvi from Canada shared strategies to bridge policy and practice. Cervantes emphasized the need for a just transition that ensures policies are co-created with local communities and vulnerable groups. Naqvi added that effective policy advocacy requires young leaders to align their initiatives with current governmental priorities and engage actively with decision-makers.

A collaborative future

The event concluded with remarks from Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, who emphasized the importance of safe, inclusive and accountable youth participation. He urged institutions to support youth in co-designing solutions, advocating for an intergenerational approach to achieving sustainable outcomes. His words resonated with the call for youth to be "disruptive yet collaborative", fostering partnerships across generations to build a resilient future.

The event showcased youth as both current change-makers and future leaders, actively driving agrifood systems transformation. By advancing policies that foster innovation and inclusivity, young leaders are setting foundation for a better food future.