Youth engagement is pivotal in addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Recognising that the younger generation represents the future consumers and professionals responsible for prescribing antimicrobial agents, their active participation is crucial in raising awareness, driving innovation, influencing policies, and advocating for increased community, national, and international support.

In this context, harnessing the potential of youth as change agents is essential for the sustainable reduction of antimicrobial use in agrifood systems. Therefore, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Animal Protection supported ReAct Africa and Students Against Superbugs Africa in organising the student competition Food without Harm: Reducing the need for antimicrobials in 2022.

The competition, which was part of the Antimicrobial Resistance Leaders Programme for African university students, brought together students from all disciplines working on One Health and action against AMR. Participants were required to submit a written paper proposing solutions to reduce the need for antimicrobials. The winning essays were as follows:

• Reducing the need for antimicrobials in livestock farming: using a robust community engagement approach by Musiitwa Rogers;
• Strategies to prevent the occurrence of antimicrobial usage among livestock farmers by Kyembe Ignitius Salachi and Chikwe Mwansa; and
• Food without harm: Reducing the need to use antimicrobials by Adamu Ibrahim

These competition laureates were invited to the "Unlocking Solutions to Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials in Agrifood Systems through Knowledge Sharing and Partnerships Workshop," organised by FAO, in Harare, Zimbabwe from 5 to 7 December 2023.

The workshop aimed to share insights from Fleming Funded Projects and Country Grants while mobilising partnerships for the FAO initiative of Reducing the Need for Antimicrobials for Sustainable  Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM). During the workshop, a consensus emerged on the critical role of youth as change agents, acknowledging the need for facilitated youth engagement programmes to support activities aimed at reducing the need for antimicrobials in food and agriculture.

One noteworthy presentation came from a student group at Kabaale University in Uganda, showcasing a technological innovation called "My AMR alert." This application was designed to promote behaviour change and increase awareness of AMR and antimicrobial use at the community level.

In line with this commitment to youth engagement, FAO is dedicated to launching the RENOFARM initiative—a 10-year global effort to reduce the need for antimicrobials in agrifood systems while promoting responsible use. Central to the initiative's success is the engagement of various stakeholders across the One Health spectrum, emphasizing the crucial role that youth can play in tackling AMR. FAO's commitment aligns seamlessly with its broader organizational vision, including the recent establishment of the Office of Youth and Women.