AIM4Forests: Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests

Young Forest Champions: Indigenous and Rural Youth in Action

Hybrid Event, 15/10/2025

Hybrid modality
 
Online via Zoom (Event Code: YL05)
and in person at German Room, FAO HQ, Rome
 
Date: 15 October 2025 at 17:00 CEST
Language: English
  
REGISTRATION

As part of the World Food Forum flagship event (10–17 October 2025), the side event “Young Forest Champions: Indigenous and Rural Youth in Action” (code: YL05) will take place on 15 October from 17:00 to 18:00 CEST. The event will highlight the leadership and innovation of Indigenous and rural youth driving forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable food systems across continents.

 

This session, organized under the AIM4Forests programme through its Young Forest Champions Initiative funded by the UK Government, will feature country case presentations, a panel discussion and the launch of the Global Youth Network for Forest Monitoring. It aims to showcase youth-led solutions, amplify their impact and strengthen global collaboration in forest landscapes.

As a collaborative effort, it gathers youth-led networks and associations, such as International Forestry Students Association, the Mediterranean Youth Task Force, Young Forest Champions, World Food Forum National Chapters, and the UN Decade Youth Taskforce on Ecosystem Restoration.

Provisional Agenda

Moderators: Javier Garcier (World Food Forum) & Esin Batir (UN Decade Youth Taskforce on Ecosystem Restoration)

Opening RemarksJulian Fox, Team Leader – Forest Monitoring and Data Platforms
South-South Knowledge Exchange: Young Forest Champions – Brief presentations and country cases
  • Lizet Mejia Young Forest Champion Peru
  • Duncan Katam Young Forest Champion Kenya
  • Elizabeth Maanda Sianga Young Forest Champion Zambia
  • Gad Okodi Young Forest Champion Uganda
Panel Discussion: Youth Forest Champions in Action: Harnessing Data and Collaboration for Impact
  • Salazar Karen Co-chair UN Decade Youth Taskforce on Ecosystem Restoration
  • Zebulun Otaigbe Ojo Head of FAO IFSA Sub-Commission
  • Edoardo Nevola Mediterranean Youth Task Force
  • Theophilus Dumenyo Young Forest Champion Ghana
  • Mirirai Tembo, World Food Forum Zambia National Chapter Lead
Launch of Global Youth Network for Forest MonitoringEva Ntara Facilitator, AIM4Forests Young Forest Champions
Closing RemarksMr. Sabin Lamichhane, Head of Local Youth Action, World Food Forum