The world's population is young, with nearly 2.2 billion people under the age of 18 of which 85 percent are living in developing countries. Children and young people are concerned, thoughtful citizens, capable of participating in, and changing the society of which they are a part; and they have an important role to play in addressing and affecting the issues of our world.
In addition, children and young people have enthusiasm, imagination and abundant energy to undertake local actions, act as effective communicators in their communities and be involved in international arenas. FAO with a number of partners is therefore developing resources, activities and the mechanisms to enhance awareness, access to information and participation of children and young people in a range of environmental, social and sustainable development issues, including climate change.
13 November 2009
On Monday 16 November the Hunger Summit will begin to raise awareness on the unacceptable situation of the one billion people living in chronic hunger, and a child dying of hunger every six seconds. In the days leading up to this event, FAO has launched an online petition where concerned people can express their support to end world hunger and an appeal for a 24 hour hunger strike to take place either on Saturday 14 November or Sunday 15 November, on the eve of the Summits to show solidarity to the one billion hungry people.Join the campaign and fight against hunger!For more information please visit http://www.1billionhungry.org or contact us at: One-Billionhungry@fao.org. [more...]
16 October 2009
On World Food Day the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) will officially launch the Food Security and Climate Change Challenge Badge. [more...]
30 September 2009
On 24 October join runners from around the world and run a 10K. In Rome the will be the Run for Food race, a 10km competitive run and a 5km non-competitive run which will start at the Terme Di Caracalla. So what are you waiting for get your trainers on and get running :o)See: www.runforfood.it for the Rome race [more...]
14 August 2009
Emerging leaders representing three billion people - the children and youth of the planet - will converge on the Republic of Korea to voice their demands for action on climate change at the Copenhagen meeting. FAO with other partners is supporting UNEP’s Tunza International Children and Youth Conference, in Daejeon (Republic of Korea) on 17-23 August, the biggest youth gathering on climate change before the UN climate conference in December. [more...]
14 July 2009
The UN-led Seal the Deal Campaign aims to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009. FAO and YUNGA are supporting UNEP in mobilizing one million young people to march across one hundred capitals to deliver to global leaders the Seal the Deal Petition on behalf of the world’s three billion young people. The petition aims to ensure the voices of youth reach, and hopefully inspire world leaders to sign a definitive climate deal in Copenhagen. [more...]
Motivators
Yes we know the problem is big but we can all make a contribution, however big or small, to solve it. So don’t just sit there: MOVE :o)
We will need the spirit of youth in abundance as the world seeks to embrace cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy, including renewable resources. The transition to a low-carbon economy that we hope young people will see in their lifetimes offers tremendous opportunities. I urge young people around the world to invest their energies and bright ideas into shaping a safer, more sustainable planet.
U.N. Secretary-General
Ban Ki Moon