Youth Dialogue on sustainable forestry sparks collaboration and partnerships

The Youth Dialogue, “Youth Action Towards Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems”, held on 4 November 2024, was a resounding success. Hosted as part of the Eighth Mediterranean Forest Week in Barcelona and online, the event brought together almost 100 participants (70 online and 25 in person), highlighting the power of youth in shaping the future of Mediterranean forestry. 

A growing youth movement... 

The Mediterranean Youth Taskforce (MYTF), created as an outcome of the Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week, prepared and conducted the new dialogue. Building on its original purpose, the MYTF continues to lead efforts to amplify youth voices and foster collaboration across the Mediterranean region and the globe. 

...and growing youth partnerships and collaboration 

The Youth Dialogue was organized by the Mediterranean Youth Taskforce with the support of the Silva Mediterranea secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in partnership with the International Forestry Students Association (IFSA), the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), the World Food Forum and the Mediterranean Youth Taskforce of the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO27). The youth dialogue was the third youth assembly to convene as part of the Youth Road Map on Forestry 2024, building on two previous events:  “Pre-COFO Youth Assembly: Young Minds, Green Solutions,” which took place in preparation for COFO27 in July 2024; and  “Youth Perspectives: Exploring the Agriculture and Forestry Nexus” held during the World Food Forum flagship event in October 2024. 

From youth to intergenerational dialogue  

The dialogue began with a keynote from Alessandra Sensi, Head of Sector for the Environment, Green and Blue Economy at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). She highlighted the importance of youth engagement in the region’s forest sector and emphasized the need for intergenerational dialogue. 

She then introduced the 2024 UfM Med Youth Lab, an initiative empowering young people with project development and collaboration skills. She emphasized the significance of teamwork in creating project proposals focused on green skills, youth mobility, and youth engagement in multistakeholder dialogue. 

Showcasing youth expertise 

The session featured presentations by young professionals on key forestry topics: 

• Entrepreneurship: Burcu Berk, from the CREAF research centre and FORESTORA consultancy, Spain, discussed income-generating activities within forest ecosystems. 
• Research and applied sciences: Edoardo Esposito, Forest Expert, shared advancements in forest restoration and sustainability. 
• Communication: Leila Rossa Mouawad, from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, presented innovative communication strategies for forestry awareness. 
• Rural action: Florence Lacrosse, from NaturDive, explored youth-driven initiatives bridging the rural–urban divide. 
• Practical implementation: Edoardo Nevola from the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Italy, offered insights into hands-on forest restoration projects. 

A discussion session followed, allowing participants to interact directly with these professionals, sparking rich discussions both in person and online. 

Fostering regional dialogue and exchange 

Both in-person and online participants engaged in groups to discuss topics that are key for the current and future forest sector, focusing on challenges, opportunities and solutions faced and led by youth in forestry: 

• Group 1: Youth employment and entrepreneurship in forestry. 
• Group 2: Capacity building and skills development for youth in restoration. 
• Group 3: Access to resources and funding for youth-led projects. 
• Group 4: Policy and advocacy for youth engagement in forestry and restoration. 

The outcomes of such discussions will feed into the Youth Road Map on Forestry 2024. Victoria Valenzi, COFO27 Youth Taskforce Lead at the FAO Forestry Division, emphasized its significance in shaping policy and actions for sustainable forestry.  

The event concluded with remarks from Ana Avilez Ramirez, Youth Education Specialist at the Office of Youth and Women of FAO. She commended participants for their enthusiasm, innovative ideas, and commitment to advancing sustainable forestry both globally and in the Mediterranean region.  

Looking ahead 

The outcomes of this dialogue underscore the vital role of youth in addressing critical challenges like biodiversity loss, wildfires and sustainable forestry practices. As collaboration continues, the Youth Road Map on Forestry 2024 will serve as a blueprint for youth-driven action, inspiring further engagement across the globe. 

This dialogue marked a significant step towards fostering intergenerational cooperation, amplifying youth voices, and driving impactful change for Mediterranean forests. 

Satia Ras (FAO) and Lucía Rivera Lima (FAO)