The SDG 2 Youth Constituency and Youth Focus Group for the UN Food Systems Summit was proud to be a part of two sessions that took place during the 10th Economic and Social Council Youth Forum this past month. 

As a one of the youth co-leads for the thematic breakout session titled, “A People-Centric Response” the SDG 2 Youth Constituency worked with the SDG 3 Youth Constituency and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to bring together young people to examine the impact of COVID-19 on health and food systems.

With the co-leads, following the organization of the session including the development and distribution of a comprehensive survey prior to the session that asked youth to reflect the impacts of the pandemic on their access to health services and food,the Global Focal Point of the SDG 2 Youth Constituency Ms. Pramisha Thapaliya co-moderated the session for the conversations relating to SDG 2. 

The SDG 2 Youth Constituency presented three speakers to the session -  Ms. Kervelle Baird, Ms. Louise Mabulo, and Mr. Roman DaVas-Fahey. 

Key points related to environmental issues and sustainable food systems highlighted by these speakers include:

• Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, but is seeing great impacts relating to climate conditions are worsening every year. At the current rate of environmental degradation, the world would run short of harvest in 60 years. 

• Economic access to good food is being challenged. 

• Consumer behaviour has a great impact on food systems. Persistent heavy marketing of unhealthy food and lack of availability of healthy choices impact people’s access to good food. 

• Sustainable food systems and sustainable food choices must be supported in order to achieve more equitable food systems, including affordability and access to healthy food. 

The calls to action include:

• Youth lead the way in making sustainable food choices and understanding and respecting food systems.

• There must be a focus on improving the food environment and supporting food relief organizations.

• We must amplify efforts, collectively and individually, to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the systems. 

To achieve all of these, the mainstream leadership role of youth has been more important now than ever.

In addition to the involvement of the leadership of the Thematic Breakout session, SDG 2’s Regional Youth Focal Point for Latin America Sandrine Giancristófaro Gouvȇa was selected to be a speaker at the Ministerial Roundtable titled “Achieving the SDGs WITH and FOR Youth.”

Speaking about SDG 2, Sandrine highlighted the importance of unity between government spheres and communities to achieve collective food system goals.