WFF side event at the ECLAC Forum on Sustainable Development: Youth leading change in local agrifood systems

24/03/2025

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will host the eighth meeting of the Forum on Sustainable Development in Santiago, Chile, on 31 March 2025, bringing together experts, policymakers and young leaders to discuss and advance solutions on various challenges affecting Latin America and the Caribbean.

As part of this forum, the World Food Forum (WFF)’s Global Youth Action Initiative will hold a side event titled “Youth Leading Change in Local Agrifood Systems”, focusing on the transformative role of youth, particularly young women, in shaping agrifood systems. The event, which will be held in a hybrid format on 31 March at 15:00 (GMT-4) at the Fernando Fajnzylber Auditorium of ECLAC, will highlight the impact of the WFF National Youth Chapters in empowering youth, promoting their leadership, influencing public policies and implementing projects that foster change in local agrifood systems.

For in-person participation For online participation

The event will be conducted in Spanish, with English interpretation available for in-person attendees.

Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean have made significant strides in agrifood systems. However, young people, especially young women, still face barriers to decision-making. Through partnerships with FAO’s Decentralized Offices, civil society and local institutions, the WFF National Youth Chapters address these challenges by aligning youth-led initiatives with global agrifood goals.

This event will also explore how integrating youth initiatives into existing institutional frameworks can strengthen governance and expand youth involvement in agrifood systems decision-making. Collaborations with regional organizations such as the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger and the Ibero-American Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security aim to ensure youth contributions are integrated into national and regional agrifood strategies, advancing Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).

By emphasizing the leadership of youth and strategic partnerships, this side event will contribute to creating more inclusive, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems in the region.

Agenda

15:00 - 15:05	Opening Remarks: Introducing the WFF’s Global Youth Action Initiative and emphasizing the critical role of youth in driving the transformation of agrifood systems.
15:05 - 15:10	Introduction to the WFF National Youth Chapters: Showcasing the integral role of WFF National Youth Chapters in advancing local youth-led action and creating context-specific solutions that contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems.
15:10 - 15:15	Presentation: Highlighting the importance of youth-led platforms through an intersectional approach, empowering young people to reduce vulnerabilities, promote equity and drive change in agrifood systems.
15:15 - 15:45	Panel discussion: Highlighting the role of national youth-led agrifood platforms in transforming agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, the steps to establish and strengthen WFF National Youth Chapters, as well as the successful experiences, including a case study from the WFF Ecuador Youth Chapter.
15:45 - 16:05	Q&A Session: Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with panelists and experts on empowering youth, particularly young women, in agrifood systems. Strategies for overcoming barriers and ideas for enhancing youth involvement in building sustainable, inclusive agrifood systems will be explored.
16:05 - 16:10	Closing Remarks: Emphasizing the importance of international and regional cooperation in achieving the SDGs, particularly in ending hunger and promoting gender equality.