FAO, in collaboration with the Kanazawa Institute of Technology (KIT), has launched a Bhutanese version of "The SDGs Action Card Game X (Cross)", as part of the National Youth Symposium, which was held on International Youth Day on the 12 August.

The game aims to inspire young people to actively participate in addressing the complex challenges of transforming Bhutan’s agrifood systems while promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Originally developed by KIT in 2018 and adopted with FAO's support, it reflects Bhutan’s unique agricultural challenges and introduces players to solutions for sustainable agrifood systems.

The project, which began in late 2023, includes technical and financial support from FAO and was led by Japanese and Bhutanese youth. By incorporating Bhutan-specific trade-offs and resource cards, the game engages players in solving real-world problems in a fun and educational format. It helps young people grasp the interconnected nature of sustainable development, particularly in food and agriculture.

At the launch event, facilitated by researchers and students from the KIT and the Keio University Graduate School of Media Design, over 100 youth participants trialled the game, including the World Food Forum’s Bhutan chapter. Feedback highlighted the value of the interactive format in learning about Bhutan's agricultural challenges and envisioning innovative solutions.

Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, emphasized, "We believe youth hold the key to a sustainable future, and through gamification, they can grasp the complexities of agrifood systems intrinsically while exploring actionable solutions."

FAO will continue to support the dissemination of the game in Bhutan by encouraging further collaboration between the KIT SDG Promotion Centre and the World Food Forum’s Bhutan chapter. This initiative aligns with FAO’s mission to build resilient agrifood systems and promote sustainable practices across the globe. The Bhutan version of X is also available as an app for Android smartphones.

For more information about the launch event, please visit the following link.