ECOSOC Youth Forum: The WFF holds a briefing & consultation on youth-led partnerships for a better food future

On 16 April 2024, the World Food Forum (WFF) hosted a briefing and consultation in the margins of the ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York. The session, guided by the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions,” fostered engaging conversations among youth groups on shaping a fairer, more sustainable world through youth-led initiatives.

In a world in which 2.4 billion people face moderate or severe food insecurity, innovative solutions for transforming agrifood systems are paramount. The WFF recognizes this urgency and harnesses the ECOSOC Youth Forum as a pivotal platform for fostering youth-led partnerships and networks.

At the heart of the event was a comprehensive agenda aimed at empowering youth engagement and advancing sustainable solutions for our agrifood systems. The WFF shared insights into its collaboration with youth groups, emphasizing the importance of amplifying youth voices in policymaking and innovation. Discussions also explored how WFF initiatives contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in driving progress.

Attendees included the US Youth Observer to the United Nations and representatives from diverse organizations like ProVeg International, YOUNGO, KIDS4SDGs, YPARD, MGCY, Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP and the All China Youth Federation. Together, these groups engaged in a fruitful dialogue on key topics, from raising awareness among young people to enhancing platforms for youth engagement in policymaking and fostering youth-led partnerships. Participants addressed challenges in creating and implementing youth-led solutions, devising strategies for empowerment and tangible steps to transform our agrifood systems.

The significance of this event goes beyond the ECOSOC Youth Forum – it acted as a catalyst for collaboration, igniting a shared commitment to drive change from local to global levels. As the world grapples with complex challenges, the voices and actions of youth are fundamental in forging a path towards a more equitable and sustainable future.