WFF Bhutan Youth Chapter: The mental fortitude of young people

The World Food Forum (WFF) Bhutan Youth Chapter had the honor of engaging with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, during his official visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan from 3 to 5 February.

WFF National Youth Chapters serve as self-organized national platforms for young leaders. Aligned with the principles and mission of the WFF’s Global Youth Action Initiative, these Chapters are supported by a local network of partners and organizations to advance youth-led action in agrifood systems transformation.

The leaders of the WFF Bhutan Youth Chapter welcomed the opportunity to meet the Director-General, who has been a strong advocate for youth empowerment, recognizing their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During their conversation, a Chapter leader asked, “Why do you believe in young people so much, sir?” The Director-General shared personal experiences from his youth, highlighting the transformative power of young people in their communities. As a token of appreciation, the Chapter presented him with a special calligraphy artwork featuring the Dzongkha phrase "Nazhoen Semshug” which translates to “The mental fortitude of young people”.

The WFF Bhutan Youth Chapter, launched in 2024 during Bhutan’s first National Youth Symposium, has been actively driving youth engagement in agrifood systems. In collaboration with FAO Bhutan, the Chapter introduced a Bhutanese version of “The SDGs Action Card Game X (Cross)”, organized a Bhutan Food Dialogue and participated in the 2024 WFF flagship event. At the event, it hosted a booth titled “Mindful Youth Leadership", inaugurated by Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Bhutan), alongside Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative to Nepal and Bhutan.

Now a registered Community-Based Organization (CBO), the Chapter continues its mission to empower young people and drive positive change in Bhutan’s agrifood systems transformation.