The mic is finally in the hands of the youth
13/12/2022
In most events, young people get invited to sit in the corner and provide needed visibility as attendees. This was far from the case at the World Food Forum (WFF). With more than 200 sessions over five days and an international stage, the WFF provided a space for open dialogue, thus empowering youth and enabling them to do more towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Integrated, inclusive and intergenerational discussions allowed attendees to share experiences in depth, ensuring that young people are considered as valid stakeholders from now on.
The WFF flagship event happened from 17 to 21 October 2022 in a hybrid setting at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. As an independent, youth-led network, the WFF connected youth groups, influencers, the private sector, academic institutions, non-profits, governments, Indigenous Peoples, media and the general public under the 2022 theme: “Healthy Diets. Healthy Planet”. The event shed light on innovative solutions that can be scaled up. It also resulted in policy outcomes in the environmental field, to be drafted into action plans, and fostered a growing global movement for the transformation of production systems towards achieving a better future for all, leaving no one behind.
The Mediterranean Youth Taskforce was present as co-organizers and communicators behind the planning of the Young Media Round Table. This was a mainstage event structured as an engaging intergenerational debate between young professionals and senior experts in media, covering all related sectors from TV and film, to communication and journalism, and finally the most widespread, trending tool, social media. The richly diverse panel shared their success stories, highlighting the role of media in advocating for nature, promoting agrifood systems and leading global change, and shedding light on the powerful contributions that young people make in alternative media.
A special emphasis was put on the power of communication in shaping opinions, creating movements and inducing change at the local, regional and global level. Youth and the young at heart were invited to join their Regional Forest Communicators Networks, founded to support regions in raising awareness on forest-related issues, influencing policymakers and changing false perceptions on forests and forest-related issues. The members of these networks regularly receive capacity-building training to be able to transform complex scientific notions into easily understandable messages.
The WFF agenda was fully packed with other inspiring sessions, such as regional assemblies, round tables and thematic committees. Youth delegates from around the world discussed policies, actions and strategies for youth in agrifood systems, sharing their perspectives on the latest guidelines, and drafting a common paper to be presented at high level events, namely the Twenty-Seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Water Conference. Moreover, participation from Indigenous Peoples was exceptional, including through activities hosted in the BOAŠŠU Food Lab’s nomadic tent.
It is safe to say that the young people present left the forum equipped and motivated to join forces and make a difference through action, advocacy and influencing. The Mediterranean Youth Taskforce, along with other youth organizations, networks, associations and movements, were able to network and brainstorm on the upcoming steps to contribute to a common global movement in order to keep the momentum going. One key message common to all sessions was the power of unity in solving major issues: Together youth are stronger. Together youth can make a difference. Together the voices of youth can be heard.
Leila Rossa Mouawad, Mediterranean Youth Taskforce