FAO strengthens youth leadership in the region to achieve the 2030 Agenda

May 10, 2024, Santiago de Chile - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in collaboration with the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Center, organized the Youth Leadership Program workshop to train 25 young people from Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The event, funded by the Government of Germany through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) program, occurred from May 6 to 10 at FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Santiago, Chile.  

Deputy Director-General and Regional Representative of FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin; FAO Chile Representative, Eve Crowley; the Senior Expert on SDGs from the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Center, Nicole De Paula; the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Chile, María José Torres; the Ambassador of Germany to Chile, Irmgard María Fellner; and young leaders from different countries in the region participated in the opening ceremony.  

The Youth Leadership Program aims to promote transformative leadership among young people from the Global South. Its goals include promoting transformative policies, implementing effective scientific solutions; and developing sustainable business models. The initiative brings together emerging professionals, public officials, the private sector, and youth leaders to establish holistic policies that transform food systems in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The project has organized workshops in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing together activists to promote collaborative and science-based solutions. These workshops aim to strengthen youth leadership capacity, integrate the SDGs into sustainable development agendas, and catalyze significant changes in food systems through structured learning, inspiration and action contributing to environmental sustainability and poverty reduction.  

The workshop held in Latin America and the Caribbean was designed to achieve multiple training objectives. These included improving understanding of the complexity of agri-food systems, acquiring knowledge of systemic thinking practices, and understanding the role of scientific evidence in transforming these systems. 

"Young people have an extraordinary capacity to lead the transformation of agri-food systems. Their proposals and actions can help achieve sustainable food production, improve nutrition and access to healthy diets, promote the sustainable use of natural resources and provide ideas for mitigating, and adapting to climate change," said FAO Assistant Director-General, Mario Lubetkin. He added: "We cannot achieve inclusive growth without reducing inequalities, and youth can make a significant contribution to achieving more resilient, and sustainable livelihoods for rural communities, women, indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants." 

Over the four days of the workshop, the participants strengthened their capacity to create collective visions, negotiate in environments of multiple interests and improve their leadership and personal resilience in adverse situations. 

This included sessions on collective intelligence, learning labs and a visit to the "Sustainable and Green Peñaflor", project organized by FAO Chile were included. During this field experience, they discussed practical aspects of urban gardening, healthy diets, and the interaction between food and public health. 

In addition, their direct interaction with local actors of the agri-food system and government authorities enriched their learning and provided them with applicable tools to implement effective changes in their countries.