The Hunger Project’s youth delegation to the World Food Forum focused on collaborating with other young leaders to create a world without hunger.
In October, young and young-at-heart leaders, innovators and changemakers from around the world gathered at the World Food Forum (WFF), held at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome. This annual gathering is an opportunity to elevate young voices to transform our global agrifood systems.
Our two youth delegates, Mirriam Zeka, Program Coordinator for the Youth Empowerment Project with THP-Malawi and Priyanka K. Naithani, Co-Chair of The Hunger Project’s Youth Council and Global Communications Senior Associate, traveled to Rome to represent The Hunger Project and share their insights, perspectives and experiences as part of our effort to elevate youth voices to create sustainable change.
Youth as Catalysts for Change
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General, made a call for youth to “speak up and be heard.” His emphasis on the critical role of young people in shaping the future of global agrifood systems aligns with what we see and encourage in communities around the world. Throughout our programs, we work with communities to create platforms for young voices to strengthen community-led efforts that address hunger, poverty and climate challenges. Read more about our youth empowerment work.
We cannot discuss agri-food systems transformation, without including youth in every stage of implementation and decision-making. Inclusion, accountability and transparency are essential for meaningful progress.
Mirriam Zeka, Program Coordinator for Youth Empowerment Project with THP-Malawi.
Innovating for a Better Tomorrow
Throughout the Forum young leaders pitched their ideas for achieving zero hunger, providing a glimpse into “what’s next” in the industry. Solutions included digitalization, mechanization, Artificial Intelligence and other innovative approaches to enhance food systems worldwide.
One of the key themes throughout the conference was the elevation and appreciation of traditional knowledge—one of our key approaches. In the areas where we work, we often see local communities leveraging traditional knowledge to strengthen their agrifood systems. For example, in Mexico, Indigenous communities address food insecurity and malnutrition through holistic and adaptive approaches that elevate and celebrate Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices.
“Innovation isn’t just about new technology—it’s about amplifying the voices and wisdom of those often overlooked. When we blend the ingenuity of youth with the deep-rooted knowledge of local communities, we unlock solutions that can truly transform the future of food systems and ensure that resilience is built from the ground up.” – Priyanka K. Naithani, Co-Chair of The Hunger Project’s Youth Council and Senior Associate, Global Communications.
To see this emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and approaches at an institution like the Food and Agriculture Organization is exciting. It shows that the global system is starting to look to local communities for solutions that work.
Investing in Youth-Led Solutions
With 733 million people living in hunger, coordinated and equitable investments in youth-led solutions are critical. This includes not only financial resources but also mentorship, training and creating networks for collaboration. We remain committed to fostering collaboration between youth, governments, nonprofits and industry leaders to drive sustainable solutions around the world. As we reflect on the Forum, we are reminded that the energy, passion and ideas of young leaders are central to creating a world without hunger.
Photo: The delegation at the World Food Forum, October 2024