WFF Italy Youth Chapter and Italy’s National Youth Council sign a Joint Statement of Intent

On 18 December 2025, the Office of Youth and Women of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomed representatives from the World Food Forum (WFF) Italy Youth Chapter and the Italian National Youth Council (Consiglio Nazionale dei Giovani - CNG) to FAO headquarters in Rome to sign a Joint Statement of Intent aimed at increasing youth participation in agrifood systems.

The meeting marked an important step in formalizing a shared vision: placing young people at the center of the transformation of agrifood systems in Italy and beyond. Through this agreement, the WFF Global Youth Action Initiative, represented by the Chapter, and CNG reaffirm their commitment to promoting meaningful, inclusive and sustained youth participation in agrifood governance and policy processes. Through the belief that long-term change necessitates intergenerational discourse, cross-sectoral collaboration and the recognition of youth as active participants, this partnership seeks to create venues where young voices can meaningfully shape decisions shaping the future of agrifood systems.

The Joint Statement of Intent, signed by Maria Cristina Rosaria Pisani, President of CNG and Eleonora Santonocito, Internal Relations Coordinator of the WFF Italy Youth Chapter, outlines a range of joint actions, including the co-development of initiatives that empower young people across Europe and the Mediterranean region, the organization of advocacy and awareness-raising activities at national and international events and the promotion of young women’s leadership in sustainable agrifood policies. A strong focus is also placed on education and youth outreach, particularly through the WFF CultivatED initiative, which engages Italian high school students in agrifood topics.

The agreement also encourages the sharing of tools, resources and networks to expand outreach and impact, while supporting the localization of the Chapter’s activities across the country through collaborations with universities, academic institutions and other strategic partners.

To ensure continuity and accountability, the Parties committed to maintaining regular dialogue and to holding an annual meeting to review progress, reflect on lessons learned and plan future activities, representing a shared commitment to building more sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems, with youth at the forefront.