Decent Rural Employment

International Youth Day: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”

24/09/2021

12 August marked the International Youth Day. This year’s celebration put the spotlight on “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.

This theme was chosen as an outcome of the 2021 ECOSOC Youth Forum (EYF), where youth discussed, among many other important issues and priorities, about the importance of working together towards more equitable food systems. The Forum also underlined the need for improved global education to help youth make informed food choices, by raising awareness about the healthiest and most sustainable options for both individuals and the environment.

Evidence shows that there is a virtuous circle linking education, food and nutrition security, consumption choices, and health and social development, as also highlighted- by FAO’s longstanding work on School Feeding Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The International Youth Day thus focused on the idea that more equitable food systems will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people, and overall on the need for inclusive support mechanisms that ensure youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually.

In this context, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat (DESA) held a virtual event, organized in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Major Group for Children and Youth.

The event looked at the role that youth can play to achieve more equitable and sustainable food systems, building on the recommendations of 2021 ECOSOC Youth Forum.

It was structured around different roundtables, designed to boost interactions among the participants. The different segments focusedon specific topics that fall under the overarching theme of Transforming Food Systems, including: planetary health, nutrition, health, education, innovation, and Indigenous youth.

Through a unique dialogue among youth working in the agri-food domain and stakeholders from different walks of life, the webinar promoted innovation, knowledge exchange, and youth engagement by continuing the momentum to the high-level United Nations Food Systems Summit in September.

The recording to the webinar is available here.

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