Youth
Assembly
Open Call
Join the Youth Assembly
Recognizing the fundamental need for inclusive and meaningful youth participation in global agrifood governance, the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly is committed to providing structured and accessible spaces for young people to contribute to policy discussions and decision-making processes related to agrifood systems transformation. To strengthen youth engagement, the WFF Youth Assembly Secretariat invites you to join the WFF Youth Assembly, an open, year-round platform that brings together young individuals from around the world who are committed to transforming agrifood systems.
The WFF Youth Assembly enables young people to engage in consultative processes, contribute to youth-driven policy outputs, and connect with a global network of peers and partners working across agrifood systems. It operates on an annual cycle, providing continuous opportunities for engagement throughout the year. Through the WFF Youth Assembly, youth can help shape agrifood systems governance at national, regional and global levels.
Objectives
Facilitate the mobilization of youth-driven priorities from local and national levels into global agrifood systems policy processes and outputs
Ensure diverse representation, particularly for youth from underrepresented regions and sectors, like smallholder youth, young women, young farmers, Indigenous youth, youth from SIDS, LDCs, LDDCs and marginalized communities, so they can contribute to shaping inclusive and impactful agrifood policies
Build a connected global network of young people committed to agrifood systems transformation
Individuals are encouraged to engage in consultations aligned with their region or thematic expertise. At the end of the annual cycle, a Certificate of Participation will be issued to all participants that attended at least one thematic or regional session.
Who can join?
The WFF Youth Assembly is open to young people worldwide who meet the following criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 35 years old for the entire duration of the annual cycle;
- Members of youth organizations or networks related to food, agriculture, development, environment or other relevant fields;
- Stakeholder group members (e.g. young farmers, fisherfolk, foresters, Indigenous youth and other professional groups in agrifood systems);
- Young members of ministries, cabinet or any other national institution;
- Students and young professionals in agrifood systems and related disciplines;
- Past or current youth delegates to the United Nations or international conferences;
- Young individuals with a keen interest in food, agriculture, development, environment or any other relevant field;
- Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and respect values of integrity, responsibility and collaboration for the entire duration of the annual cycle; and
- Proficiency in English and/or other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Eligible applicants who meet the above criteria may join the platform.
Engagement and support
Participants will receive:
- An onboarding call and orientation materials;
- Regular updates through the Youth Assembly monthly newsletter;
- Opportunities to participate in consultations, surveys and feedback processes;
- A mid-term and end-term feedback opportunity to share reflections on their experience; and
- A Certificate of Participation at the end of the annual cycle (upon meeting minimum participation requirements).
Please note:
- Participation in the Youth Assembly does not include financial support or sponsorship to attend the WFF flagship event or other in-person meetings.
- The Youth Assembly Secretariat cannot provide letters of recommendation related to participation in the Youth Assembly.
How to join
Interested youth can complete the online form to express their interest and indicate their regional and thematic areas of expertise. Following registration, participants will be invited to attend the onboarding session and begin engaging in Youth Assembly activities throughout the annual cycle.
Please reach out to [email protected] for any queries and follow us to stay updated on all WFF Youth Initiative's activities.
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