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Young professionals in the development field who wish to participate must submit their ideas by Sunday, 12th of May.

The 21st of May, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva will award the 5 most innovative ideas to overcome world hunger and malnutrition submitted by the participants of “Innovative Ideas to feed the World”, a competition opened to young professionals working on development issues.

The event will be held in Rome, at FAO headquarters (the Sheikh Zayed Centre, ground floor), from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m., and Dr. Graziano da Silva will also perform the opening speech, while concluding remarks will be given by WFP Deputy Executive Director Amir Mahmoud Abdulla.

The competition, supported by the Young Professionals’ Forum for International Development (YouFID), the Volunteers and Interns Committee of FAO (VIFAO), the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA), and the Young Professional’s Platform for Agricultural Research for Development (YPARD), has the purpose of opening a space for young professionals to learn from each other and help new talent and ideas to emerge. It is also an occasion to make personal and professional connections. The 5 most innovative ideas submitted will receive a letter of congratulations signed by FAO's Director-General and their authors will be invited on stage to present their ideas.

All FAO, WFP, and IFAD employees who would like to attend the event and contribute in the discussion must register by Friday, 17 May. Young professionals (up to 35 years old and including volunteers and interns of the UN System) interested in presenting an idea during the event - individually or in group - must submit their entry by Sunday, 12th of May. Young professionals outside the UN system are welcome to participate. In order to be eligible, they must be linked to a relevant university course or organization working on development issues.

For more information, visit YPARD’s website.

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