Youth education and innovation at play - FAO and IPPC share an online interactive learning platform

During the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s eLearning Academy organized an interactive exhibition booth titled “Online simulation game: prevention, preparedness and response to plant pest outbreaks".

The exhibition, which took place on 15 October, introduced an innovative digital learning tool designed to strengthen plant health awareness and emergency response capacities among youth, students and agricultural professionals. It aimed to promote interactive learning and preparedness for pest outbreaks, reinforcing the role of education and youth engagement in agrifood systems transformation.

The simulation game places players in a fictional pest outbreak scenario where they must make real-time decisions across three stages: prevention, preparedness and response. Each phase guides learners through assessing risks, developing contingency plans and managing pest detections effectively.

Participants at the booth explored how the tool integrates strategy and problem-solving with real-life decision-making. “Prevention is the first line of defense in pest management, but no system offers complete protection; preparedness and rapid response are essential,” noted Enrico Perotti, IPPC Secretary.

Sarah Brunel, Lead of the IPPC Implementation and Facilitation Unit, and Cristina Petracchi, Head of the FAO eLearning Academy, emphasized the collaboration between their teams in developing this hands-on educational experience. They underlined that the game empowers learners to apply phytosanitary principles while sparking curiosity about plant health careers.

Students who tested the game said it helped them better understand import and export procedures as well as pest-free certification process. Teachers accompanying school groups praised it as a realistic role-play exercise that mirrors real-world decision-making and enhances interest in agricultural sciences.

The booth session concluded by underscoring the importance of youth education and innovation in safeguarding plant health. The simulation game, available via the IPPC Plant Health Campus, represents a practical step towards preparing the next generation of plant health professionals. By combining learning with digital interactivity, it inspires young people to take action in protecting global food security and building a more sustainable future.