WFO at 2024 World Food Day Week: Spotlight on Family Farming, Youth, and Innovation

A delegation from the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), led by President Arnold Puech d’Alissac, along with Board Member for the European Constituency Kati Partanen and WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro, and featuring as special representatives 20 young farmers from the 4th edition of the WFO Gymnasium program, a unique initiative that provides young farmers with leadership and advocacy skills, took centre stage at this year’s World Food Day Week at the FAO headquarters, actively contributing to critical global discussions on the future of agrifood systems at the Flagship Event of the World Food Forum (WFF), the Global Family Farming Forum (GFFF), and the FAO Science and Innovation Forum (SIF).

Key Moments of WFO’s Engagement in the World Food Day Week

Mawejje Herbert, Africa Youth Mentor for the WFO Gymnasium program and representative of the Young Farmers’ Federation of Uganda (UNYFA), set a powerful tone with his address at the WFF Grand Opening. His impassioned speech not only called for greater recognition of young farmers’ pivotal role in driving food systems transformation but also underscored the urgent need to empower youth to ensure the continuity of family farming and to shape resilient, sustainable agrifood systems. You can watch the full recording of his speech here.

WFO Board Member Kati Partanen, in her opening remarks at the GFFF Welcoming Session, stressed the importance of platforms like the GFFF in reinforcing the significance of family farming, especially in supporting young farmers and guiding the next phase of the Decade of Family Farming’s implementation. Watch the recording of her remarks here.

WFO President d’Alissac, speaking at the GFFF High-level Opening, emphasised the indispensable role of family farmers as the backbone of global food systems. He reiterated WFO’s commitment, as Vice-Chair of the UNDFF International Steering Committee, to collaborate with FAO, IFAD, and fellow farmers’ organisations to elevate the voice of family farmers, particularly women and youth, towards the creation of an enabling political environment that enhances the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of family farming communities. You can watch his full intervention here.

During his participation in the SIF session “Sowing the Future: Gene Editing for Agrifood Systems”, WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro called for innovation that is bottom-up, science-based, and results-oriented, based on farmers’ experiences and needs, and accessible and suitable for local contexts. He underscored the need for collaboration among governments, research institutions, businesses, and farmers. You can access the recording of this session here.

Enrico Parisi, National Delegate from Coldiretti Giovani Impresa, spoke at the GFFF session “Diversified Market Opportunities for Family Farming”. He highlighted family farmers’ key challenges, including limited access to credit, land, and knowledge. He emphasised the importance of strengthening local food markets, citing Campagna Amica as a successful example, along with public food procurement in making diverse and nutritious foods more accessible to consumers. He also stressed the urgent need for integrated policies to better support family farming and address the broader challenges of agrifood systems. You can watch his intervention here.

At the GFFF Closing Session, Kati Partanen urged for tangible actions that go beyond policy adoption and truly advance the interests of family farmers worldwide. She highlighted the importance of securing resources and funding for successful policy implementation. The recording of her closing remarks can be found here.

The active participation of WFO Gymnasium Program young farmers during World Food Day Week showcased the pivotal role the next generation wants to play in shaping the future of global food systems. Their contributions serve as a powerful reminder that youth are not only the future of agriculture but active agents of change today. For more details, please refer to the dedicated news piece here.

As World Food Day Week came to a close, the insights and contributions shared by the WFO delegation will continue to resonate, shaping the global agenda as leaders, policymakers, and family farming communities work together to build more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems. With the energy, leadership, and vision of youth, the path towards a more sustainable agricultural future shines brighter for everyone.

Cover photo by ©WFO