Fund
The World Food Forum (WFF) is pleased to invite FAO Members and Forum partners to nominate Youth Representatives and Observers for the WFF's third annual flagship event, from 16 to 20 October 2023, in Rome, Italy and virtually under the theme "Food Action Accelerates Climate Action".
The WFF flagship event includes the WFF Global Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum and the FAO Hands-on Investment Forum. These three interlink to advance bold and actionable solutions to catalyse the transformation of our agri-food systems, considering the ongoing challenges and crises, and highlight the importance of collaboration between the current and next generation and their combined ingenuity in science, technology and innovation - and investments in key areas of food and agriculture.
More specifically, the Global Youth Forum will include innovation awards, educational and cultural activities, exhibitions and side events. It will also host a Youth Assembly, providing a dedicated, self-organised space for young people to defend agri-food systems and debate policies.
Criteria and composition
Nominations for Youth Representatives and Observers should be made up of up to 10 individuals under the age of 36, which may include:
- Members of a youth organisation and/or network related to food, agriculture, development, climate and any other relevant field;
- Members of stakeholder groups (i.e. young farmers, fishermen, indigenous peoples, etc.);
- Young members of a ministry, cabinet or any other national institution;
- Students in the various areas of agri-food systems; and/or
- Former and current youth delegates to the United Nations and/or international conferences.
Paper
Youth Representatives and Observers are asked to:
- Prepare a declaration on the WFF 2023 theme and present it during the Youth Assembly. Declarations can be presented orally or in writing, in one of the UN's official languages. Declarations are also posted online (2022 declarations for reference).
- Actively participate in the discussions held at the Youth Assembly*.
Other Engagement Opportunities
At the WFF's flagship event
- Participate in the events held during the World Food Forum's flagship week;
- Organising and/or participating in bilateral meetings;
- Meet and network with young people and agri-food system stakeholders from different backgrounds to exchange perspectives, gain new knowledge and establish new partnerships.
After the WFF's flagship event
- Support and participate in the development of National WSF Chapters to drive local action in line with the discussions held during the Youth Assembly;
- Communicate about the WFF's main event and initiatives/activities. Read a sample article from the Irish WFF 2022 delegation;
- Report the results of the Forum to the relevant stakeholders.
Appointments
- FAO members and Forum partners are kindly requested to send their nominations for Youth Representatives and Observers for the WSF 2023 Global Youth Forum to flagship@world-food-forum.org.
- Applications must be accompanied by the following information:
- Full name
- Professional and/or academic background and current institutional affiliation
- E-mail address
- Appoint the main representative/observer - acting as the link responsible for receiving communication materials to relay to the rest of the group.
- Please specify whether nominees will attend in person - NB: Please be advised that the WFF Secretariat cannot provide any financial support for travel and accommodation. Accreditation/invitation letters will be issued to facilitate visa applications, and the Italian authorities will be informed accordingly.
- Deadline for applications: 15 July 2023
* The Youth Assembly and its thematic discussions are organised by the WSF Youth Policy Council, together with its partners, who will be responsible for the final drafting of the Assembly's results. Representatives and observers should contribute to the debates on the basis of national and partner perspectives, which do not necessarily represent the views of the Member States. Preparatory materials (including reading materials and an agenda) and an information call will be set up ahead of the WFF flagship event.
