FAO side-event: Today’s Leaders, tomorrow’s success – Youth Leadership in Sustainable Livestock
FAO headquarters, Rome (Iran room) + online
Tuesday 30 September 2025 – 12:45-13:45 CET
This side event reframes youth not as future leaders, but as active catalysts shaping today’s sustainable livestock systems. Young farmers are leading innovation, modernizing practices, and revitalizing rural areas in the livestock industry. Yet, the challenge of generation renewal remains urgent.
The session will open with two youth-led innovation and leadership case studies: an eco-friendly poultry initiative from Zimbabwe that dramatically reduced chick mortality, and Canada’s National Beef Sustainability Assessment, with a young leader translating science to drive sector-wide action.
These case studies will set the stage for a panel discussion on how capacity-building initiatives through the World Farmers’ Organisation’s Gymnasium, Animal Task Force, Institute de l’Elevage (France), Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and International Livestock Research Institute are looking and producing results to retain and grow a strong next generation in the livestock sector.
The session aims to provide practical insights and transferable approaches that are relevant across local and global contexts, highlighting the importance of inclusive support systems enabling youth to innovate and lead. Audience participation will be encouraged to foster dialogue and surface actionable strategies adaptable to diverse livestock systems.
The session will open with two youth-led innovation and leadership case studies: an eco-friendly poultry initiative from Zimbabwe that dramatically reduced chick mortality, and Canada’s National Beef Sustainability Assessment, with a young leader translating science to drive sector-wide action.
These case studies will set the stage for a panel discussion on how capacity-building initiatives through the World Farmers’ Organisation’s Gymnasium, Animal Task Force, Institute de l’Elevage (France), Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and International Livestock Research Institute are looking and producing results to retain and grow a strong next generation in the livestock sector.
The session aims to provide practical insights and transferable approaches that are relevant across local and global contexts, highlighting the importance of inclusive support systems enabling youth to innovate and lead. Audience participation will be encouraged to foster dialogue and surface actionable strategies adaptable to diverse livestock systems.
With:
- Frank O’MARA, ATF/Teagasc
- Jenna SARICH, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
- Evangelista CHEKERA, World Farmers’ Organisation
- Harry O’CROWLEY, Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Anne-Charlotte DOCKES, Idele – Institut de l’Elevage
- Tahira MOHAMED, ILRI
More information on the FAO website.
If you are below 35 years old, you can join the Global Youth Network on Sustainable Livestock Transformation:
The network counts with more than 600 members below 35 years old and aims to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for young professionals, students, farmers, and scientists in the livestock sector, enhancing information and knowledge sharing.