Players from Italy's national rugby team, activists and influencers today joined Italian celebrity chef Alessandro Borghese and global actress Monique Coleman for a celebration of food and creativity on Junior World Food Day, which this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The room buzzed with the energy of around 1,000 young students aged 9 to 13, their enthusiasm lighting up the space along with 80 high school students from the World Food Forum School Assembly. Players from Italy's national rugby team and members of the Federazione Italiana Rugby burst through the doors passing rugby balls before being challenged by Celebrity chef Borghese to cook on stage with kids.
As FAO celebrates its 80th birthday, the Organization is looking ahead to the future. This means giving today's youths a voice. There's a need to work as a team - across generations and across borders - to make sure that everyone, everywhere, has enough food to eat, FAO Director General Qu Dongyu said.
Speakers and "Food Heroes" including Indigenous Leader Judy Kipkenda, Professor and chef Ricardo Frugoli and celebrity chefs Victoire Gouloubi and Xin Ge Liu told inspirational stories, while offering tips on nutrition and healthy diets, food diversity and reducing food waste. Young curiosity and passion filled FAO's Plenary Hall - a space usually reserved for Members making key decisions on global food security and agriculture. Their energy was a powerful reminder of what's needed to build a better food future: one where every idea, big or small, can help shape a more sustainable tomorrow.
The event included a lively break dance performance by Studio 7 and a performance of FAO's 80th anniversary youth song "Hand in hand for Better Foods and a Better Future" by the Piccola Orchestra di Tor Pignattara and friends. Young participants also learned about the newly opened Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (FAOMuNe), youth activities like the global Poster Contest and FAO's work around the world.
World Food Forum
Junior World Food Day is part of FAO's annual World Food Forum, a week-long series of events that featured the participation of heads of state and government, government ministers, as well as numerous representatives from the private sector, civil society, international organizations, research institutions, youth, Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders in agrifood systems.
Notable participants this year included Pope Leo XIV, who delivered a keynote speech on World Food Day, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The World Food Forum also featured the Global Youth Forum, which brought together thousands of young changemakers, government representatives, scientists and partners, further underscoring FAO's investment in future generations.
