What does humanity’s inherent oneness—and the recognition of this principle—have to do with creating just and sustainable food systems that serve the needs of all? 

Against a backdrop of complex and escalating crises threatening humanity’s global food systems, the 14-18 October World Food Forum (WFF) provided a space and opportunity to learn from those working at the grassroots to improve food security and how to better integrate the experiences and insights of small-scale, family and youth farmers into policy-making.

Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in Rome, Italy, the forum was joined by a diverse group of actors from over 100 countries. This included various national government representatives and heads of state, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, academics and researchers, and youth organization representatives. 

In light of the need to provide a strategic youth-led vision for the FAO’s policy-related activities, the WFF was launched in 2021 by a youth committee of the FAO. One theme central to the forum is Global Youth Action, which explores intergenerational collaboration and action across education, culture, policy, science and investment. During the opening panel, Andile Mnguni, WFF Youth Policy Board for South Africa, called for a fundamental shift in how youth participation is perceived. “We need to stop viewing youth engagement as a risk and instead see it as an investment towards the world we want to create,” she said. 

Sarah Kate Smith, WFF Youth Policy Board Member for Canada, also emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue in achieving meaningful change. “True transformation can only occur when all voices are at the table. Youth bring innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and a deep understanding of technologies,”, Smith said. 

Participants highlighted the many conflicting and often contradictory needs among different stakeholders present in agri-food systems. Antonio Onorati, from the Italian Rural Association highlighted the need to reconcile the “conflict between agriculture based on peasant farming, versus agriculture based on the growing industrialisation of food production.”

Chloe Jamali, policy officer at the Baha’i International Community’s Brussels (BIC) office, said “Young people want to have a positive impact on the world. By applying their unique talents and abilities to overcome challenges like biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, they can find a strong sense of purpose and motivation.”

Earlier this year, the BIC’s Brussels office released a statement on the future of agriculture in the European Union, highlighting that the oneness of humanity can act as an overarching principle underpinning conversations on food systems transformation. This principle fundamentally transcends the notion of conflicting interests and is built on the intrinsic connections that bind the needs of one group—whether they be farmers, consumers, or food distributors—to those of another, and to the global community as a collective unit.