Youth Assembly
#worldfoodforum
Youth Assembly for a Better Food Future
Let’s create a true movement of change in the policy dialogues surrounding food and agriculture.
Young people are already taking action to transform our agrifood systems — from the local to the global level, from projects to advocacy, from entrepreneurship to culture, and so much more. The WFF Youth Assembly connects and empowers young people around the globe with different backgrounds to discuss their local priorities and challenges and identify innovative and actionable solutions for a better food future.
The Youth Assembly is a place where ideas flourish and actions speak louder than words. We believe in the power of collective action to bring about positive change in agrifood systems globally. It is a unique opportunity for young minds to converge, discuss policy matters and exchange diverse perspectives and experiences.
How?
Throughout the year, the Youth Assembly serves as a year-round open and inclusive platform for young people to co-create and engage in discussions about various agrifood systems related issues. It brings together young individuals, youth entities, organizations and constituencies to discuss specific policy topics or issues within agrifood systems and develop joint recommendations or solutions. Co-created by passionate youth leaders and led by the WFF Youth Policy Board, our Assembly thrives on inclusivity, diversity and utmost respect for everyone.
The Youth Assembly will host virtual sessions regularly throughout the year to delve into important topics and conferences that play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our agrifood systems. This will ensure that youth voices are heard and actively contribute to ongoing policy discussions and debates.
The 2024 cycle of the Youth Assembly will culminate at the World Food Forum flagship event in a hybrid format from 14 to 18 October, with follow-up sessions until December. This will serve as the culmination of our year-long efforts, discussions and collaborative initiatives.
Get involved
Everyone is welcome to take part in our activities throughout the year. Whether you are part of a youth organization looking to collaborate, or an individual seeking to support the organization of events, there is space for everyone to get involved. The WFF operates on the grounds of inclusivity and transparency.
To learn more about opportunities to get involved, please join our online community on Slack for specific queries, email [email protected].
The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly is a youth-led platform empowering young people to engage in policy discussions on agrifood systems challenges and opportunities. It provides a structured space for youth to systematically contribute to agrifood systems policy and governance processes, ensuring their voices influence local, regional and global decision-making.
Bringing together diverse stakeholders such as young farmers, young parliamentarians, civil society groups, Indigenous youth, academia, youth organizations and partners, and national youth delegations, the Youth Assembly fosters inclusive and diverse participation.
Mission and vision
The Youth Assembly’s mission is to amplify youth voices in agrifood systems policy and governance, empowering young people to drive global change and transform agrifood systems. It acts as a hub for collaboration, ensuring youth perspectives shape solutions to agrifood systems challenges.
The Youth Assembly envisions a world where young people are at the forefront of building resilient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems. By connecting youth-driven insights with global policy frameworks, it ensures that future agrifood systems policies reflect the voices of the next generation. Through dynamic intergenerational dialogues and collective action, the Assembly strives to create lasting change, addressing critical global agrifood challenges with youth leadership and vision.
Co-creation and co-leadership
The Youth Assembly is guided by the WFF Youth Policy Board (YPB), an annual cohort of young leaders who act as its steering body. The YPB sets strategic priorities, plans activities, defines discussion agendas and contributes to key outcome documents.
Composed of passionate youth leaders with expertise in food, agriculture and youth empowerment, the YPB ensures that youth voices are heard in key intergovernmental processes. They bridge global policies with local action, driving tangible impact through initiatives like the Global Youth Action Plan 2025–26.
The YPB members collaborate with other youth stakeholders, participate in regional initiatives and represent the Youth Assembly at meetings, conferences and events. The Youth Assembly welcomes stakeholders' contributions, encouraging organizations and individuals to propose actions, activities and topics while helping expand outreach across youth networks.
Structure
The journey
2021
YA - Journey 2021
Laying the foundation
Building on the momentum of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), youth groups around the world released position statements on food and agriculture governance, establishing a global call for action.
The Youth Assembly initiated its first regional consultations, providing a platform for youth voices to shape future agrifood policies.
The launch of the 2021 WFF Global Youth Action Compendium marked a milestone, bringing together youth perspectives from across the globe, along with key outcomes from consultations.
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YA - Journey 2022
Strengthening youth voices
Building on the foundation, regional and national youth policy statements were consolidated into the 2022 Compendium Analysis, amplifying the collective voice of youth worldwide.
Six regional consultations and a survey honed in on the most pressing youth priorities, guiding discussions on key global issues.
Thematic dialogues around COP27, water and biodiversity deepened youth engagement, ensuring that young people played an active role in global conversations.
2022
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2023
YA - Journey 2023
Enhancing regional and thematic youth engagement
The 2022 WFF Youth Action Regional Compendium was launched, capturing local youth perspectives and emphasizing regional action.
The YPB selected one key policy priority per region for 2023 and 2024, steering the youth-led agenda for the coming years.
Thematic discussions expanded to include SDG2 (Zero Hunger), desertification, biodiversity and the intersection of agrifood systems with climate change in preparation for COP28. Youth also contributed to shaping UNFSS National Pathways, ensuring youth involvement in national agrifood system transformations.
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YA - Journey 2024
A year of action
The 2024–2025 YPB cohort took the lead in consultations to develop the Global Youth Action Plan 2025–2026, the first-ever strategic framework for youth engagement in global agrifood systems.
Thematic consultations broadened to include critical areas such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), biodiversity conservation, bioeconomy, climate resilience, land degradation, fisheries and forestry—providing youth perspectives ahead of the UNFSS+4.
Key 2024 milestones:
- Youth priorities were presented at the FAO Committees on Forestry, Fisheries and Agriculture, as well as the Committee on World Food Security, shaping future policies.
- Youth statement was delivered at the High-level Rome Water Dialogue, marking a significant step in youth advocacy for water governance.
- Youth-led statements on agrifood systems and bioeconomy were launched, amplifying youth contributions to global debates on sustainable development.
- The first hybrid Regional Youth Assembly session was hosted outside of Rome, at the 2024 Regional Conference of Youth for the Near East and North Africa in Amman, Jordan, marking a milestone in regional youth mobilization.
2024
2025 Engagement timeline
Get involved
Join the Youth Assembly:
- As a Youth Representative to engage in thematic and regional sessions and consultations.
- As a Youth Partner Organization to co-create thematic and regional sessions and consultations.
- To take part in thematic and regional sessions and consultations and contribute to shaping youth-driven solutions.
Activities
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YOUTH ASSEMBLY
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MEET THE YOUTH ASSEMBLY ALUMNI
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YOUTH POLICY BOARD
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YOUTH ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS
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NEEDS ASSESSMENT
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