Young forestry professionals shared their experiences and innovative solutions with senior leaders from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at the 9th World Forest Week (WFW) event designed to highlight the significant contributions of young professionals in the forestry sector. Source: Timberbiz
At the Connecting forestry minds: youth and leaders dialogue, young professionals presented senior leaders with the outcomes of the first forestry-themed Youth Assembly, organized by the Committee on Forestry (COFO) Youth Task Force and the World Food Forum’s (WFF) Global Youth Action, which was held ahead of the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO27) and World Forest Week.
These outcomes underlined the need for continued support for young professionals interested in a career in forestry, including career growth assistance, valuing young professionals through increased opportunities and responsibilities, improved collaboration between youth and senior employees and experts, and the creation of an innovative environment that incentivizes the use of new and open-source technologies.
The presentation was followed by an informal, open discussion between FAO leaders and attendees, giving young professionals and students from the International Forestry Students Association a chance to highlight their contributions to FAO’s mandate.
FAO Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina, FAO Forestry Division Director Zhimin Wu, and FAO Forestry Division Deputy Directors Tiina Vahanen and Ewald Rametsteiner participated in the event, underscoring FAO’s commitment to integrating youth perspectives into its strategic initiatives.
“It is inspiring to learn about the work being led by youth in the forestry sector, and important to reflect on how we can continue to ensure the full potential of youth and young professionals to contribute to FAO’s mandate,” said Mr Martina in his opening remarks.
The event was organized by the newly created COFO 27 Youth Task Force as part of FAO Forestry’s broader effort to engage, educate, and empower young professionals in the forestry sector.
The recent Youth Assembly aimed to support the development of a Youth Roadmap on Forestry, which will advance the XV World Forestry Congress Youth Call for Action, and highlight four key actions: ensuring inclusive and equitable access to forest education and training; providing decent work and career development opportunities; achieving gender equality and empowering young women in the forest sector; and ensuring political participation and representation for all youth in forestry.
The collective efforts of the COFO Youth Task Force in the lead-up to COFO brought together young foresters, sparked discussions on creative ideas, and increased familiarity with the themes covered at COFO27 and WFW 2024.
The Youth Task Force is set to organize further discussions at two other major forest events in 2024: a special event on the forestry and agriculture nexus during the 4th World Food Forum Flagship in October, and a Youth Dialogue with a focus on restoration event during the 8th Mediterranean Forest Week in November.
These also represent key meeting points for global youth to discuss forest-related issues, focusing on different thematic areas and leading to a common way forward, with the goal to establish together a Youth Roadmap in Forestry for the next biennium, as a key outcome document of these three discussions.
