In an effort to increase awareness among the youth and general public  about One Health in tackling zoonoses and new emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports in organising the ANTERO Science Discussion in Jakarta in partnership with Kok Bisa for youth audiences.  

 This science discussion is the final event of the month-long Creators Challenge programme, a science animation video competition that invited young animators aged between 18 and 25 from all over Indonesia to create animation videos about One Health.  

 On this occasion, Director General of Livestock and Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Nasrullah explained, One Health offers a holistic approach as a solution that unifies forces to safeguard human and animal health, including the environment, which underlines the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration.

 Most emerging and endemic infectious diseases are zoonotic, which could transmit to humans from animals and vice versa. Thus, according to Dr Nasrullah, the commitment of all parties, including youth, are critical to responding to and preventing possible health security threats.

 "Young people have an important role in strengthening the implementation of One Health because they are innovators and users of new technologies and practices, including the use of digital media," said Dr Nasrullah. "Youth involvement and leadership are intrinsically linked to many aspects of achieving global health security, one of which is through youth’s creativity in using digital media and new technology to spread awareness on health safety issues," he added.

 “Involvement of youth as the frontline runners in safeguarding the health of humans and animals becomes a great force to ensure a healthier and stronger community. These days, youth's role in health is indispensable, and their voice is critical to raise public awareness on the emerging health threats,” said Rajendra Aryal, FAO representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste in his opening remarks.

 "The United States through USAID is proud to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and Kok Bisa to support this creative and fun way to spark young people's interest in important health sciences," said David Stanton, USAID Indonesia’s Health Office Deputy Director. "This creative content about One Health will help young people understand how strengthening animal, human, and environmental health will help Indonesia better prevent, detect, and respond to threats of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, improving overall health security and resilience in the long run."

 Creators Challenge programme encouraged innovative young animators to create high-quality science videos to raise public awareness about One Health to tackle zoonoses and EIDs. The programme comprised of three days of online bootcamp training on research, script writing, and animation that covered One Health topic for thirty selected participant groups from more than 200 registrants.

 At the closing event, the committee announced three groups of winners, and one group that became the favourite winner. “Congratulations to all winners! Your work will inspire millions of Indonesian youths to take an active role as agents of change in spreading awareness on the importance of safeguarding global health security across all dimensions of food and health systems," said Aryal while applauding the efforts of the participants.

 This series of events is a part of Global Health Security Programme (GHSP) activity, funded by the USAID in raising youth awareness to strengthen global health by improving national capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease threats, using a multi-sectoral One Health approach.