Key Messages
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Young people are emerging into adulthood in a context of unequal and unsustainable food systems that fail to deliver food and nutrition security and are highly vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. Youth not only suffer from the failures of current food systems but will inherit these troubled food systems and their looming challenges.
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Food insecurity and undernutrition are highest and most persistent in South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara, which are also home to the largest share of the youth population. At the same time, many young people perceive farming as unappealing and unprofitable.
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Current food systems suffer from a lack of food sovereignty—that is, the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and the right to define their own food and agriculture systems. As a result, indigenous and local farming and knowledge systems are under widespread threat.
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Youth participation in making decisions that will affect their futures is limited. Although policymakers have begun to seek out young people’s voices and perspectives, the share of youth in formal decision-making forums is negligible, and the increased focus on youth participation in some policy dialogues has not necessarily translated into meaningful impact.
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The pursuit of food sovereignty presents an opportunity to engage youth in transforming failing food systems to become more sustainable, more just, and better able to supply the needs of all the world’s people, especially the most vulnerable. Young people can bring their energy and innovation to help reclaim contextualized food sovereignty, improving nutrition while strengthening the resilience of local food systems under ecological and climate stress. A transformation to sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems can provide youth with employment opportunities that are fair, interesting, and sustainable.
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Leaders must take a long-term perspective and invest in sectors that can improve young people’s well-being, including health, education, and skills development, while also engaging youth in policymaking to promote inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. Young people must seize opportunities to participate in food systems governance and integrate their perspectives into policy to enable just, sustainable food systems for all.