CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND

Involving youth is crucial for driving sustainable innovation in global agrifood systems. Their active participation is pivotal in shaping transformative outcomes. By placing youth at the forefront, we prioritize their vital role in ideation, ensuring dynamic solutions that enhance  efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability across global agrifood systems.

The Youth Forum is organized alongside the World Agrifood Innovation Conference (herein referred to as “WAFI”), a collaborative initiative hosted by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Education of China, and jointly organized by China Agricultural University, the People's Government of Pinggu District, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The Youth Forum aims to link and empower youth from all over the world, enabling them to deliberate on essential priorities and challenges  and uncover inventive and feasible solutions for reshaping global agrifood systems.

The Youth Forum will be held in person in Pinggu District, Beijing, China on 2-4 November 2023, alongside the World Agrifood Innovation Conference, and bring together up to 50 young people from across the world with a professional and/or academic background in agrifood systems, including Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students, farmers or producers and scientists. Participants will form teams for communication, synchronously design agricultural innovation project proposals, participate in the World Agrifood Science and Technology Innovation Forum, present their innovative entrepreneurial projects 2 alongside those from various countries, and have the opportunity to win awards or attract  investment. Moreover, they will attend selected plenary sessions of WAFI.

Prior to the Youth Forum (early October), participants will attend a virtual information session on the topics to be discussed at the event as well as a virtual training on the event’s format and procedures. Participants will also be provided with the necessary background  documents and information for better preparation and engagement.

The Youth Forum will:

• Facilitate Global Engagement: Unite exceptional young minds worldwide to share innovative ideas and perspectives in agrifood innovation from universities and    research institutions, fostering cross-border communication.

• Drive Transformative Collaborations: Leverage youth's innovation potential to spearhead transformative changes in agricultural and food systems through collaborative initiatives addressing challenges and opportunities.

• Enable Expert Interactions: Offer selected participants a unique opportunity to engage face-to-face with leading scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and international organizations, enabling cross-disciplinary learning and insights exchange.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Students applying to attend the Youth Forum must meet all eligibility requirements listed below. Applications will be evaluated based on (i) the minimum requirements and preferred skills & experience outlined below; and (ii) their relevance and clarity. Geographical and          gender balance will be considered. Students must complete the online application form by 15 September 2023.

Relevant expenses of the selected participants will be covered, including: (1) round-trip airfare or train tickets; (2) transportation expenses and shuttle services at the forum venue; (3) accommodation and dining expenses during the forum; (4) visa application fees for international participants.

• Call for application closes: 15 September

• Selected candidates are notified: by 25 September

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Age: 21-35 years old

Language: Working knowledge (level C) of English

Academic and/or professional background in global agrifood systems:

• Enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program, and express interest and/or expertise in global agrifood systems (e.g., agricultural science, agricultural biotechnology, food science, biology, nutrition, agricultural sustainability, animal science, agricultural economics, etc.).

Preferred skills & experience

• Public speaking & presentation

• Writing and document preparation

• Youth events and advocacy

• The power to inspire & persuade

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, please visit the official World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI) website or contact office@wafiforum.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why is WAFI organizing the Youth Forum?

Involving youth is crucial for driving sustainable innovation in global agrifood systems. Their active participation is pivotal in shaping transformative outcomes. By placing youth at the forefront, we prioritize their vital role in ideation, ensuring dynamic solutions that enhance efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability across global agrifood  systems.
The Youth Forum is organized alongside the World Agrifood Innovation Conference (herein referred to as “WAFI”). The Youth Forum aims to link and empower youth from all over the world, enabling them to deliberate on essential priorities and challenges and uncover inventive and feasible solutions for reshaping global agrifood systems.

2. Where and when will the Youth Forum be taking place?

The Youth Forum will be held in person in Pinggu District, Beijing, China on 2-4 November 2023, alongside the World Agrifood Innovation Conference.

3. What is expected from this Youth Forum?

The Youth Forum will:

• Facilitate Global Engagement: Unite exceptional young minds worldwide to share innovative ideas and perspectives in agrifood innovation from universities and research institutions, fostering cross-border communication.

• Drive Transformative Collaborations: Leverage youth's innovation potential to spearhead transformative changes in agricultural and food systems through collaborative initiatives addressing challenges and opportunities.

• Enable Expert Interactions: Offer selected participants a unique opportunity to engage face-to-face with leading scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and international organizations, enabling cross-disciplinary learning and insights exchange.

4. How will the program of the Youth Forum be organized?

Participants will form teams for communication, synchronously design agricultural innovation project proposals, participate in the World Agrifood Science and Technology Innovation Forum, present their innovative entrepreneurial projects alongside those from various countries, and potentially win awards or investment. Moreover, they will attend  selected plenary sessions of WAFI.
Prior to the Youth Forum (early October), participants will attend a virtual information session on the topics to be discussed at the event as well as a virtual training on the event’s format and procedures. Participants will also be provided with the necessary background documents and information for better preparation and engagement.

5. What topics will be discussed?1

Participants will discuss three topics about agrifood systems with a focus on youth:

Youth-Driven Policy Advocacy for Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Exploring the role of youth-driven policy advocacy in shaping sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.

Innovative Youth Applications of Science and Technology in Agrifood Challenges: Delving into innovative applications of science and technology by youth to address challenges in agrifood production and distribution.

Youth-Led Entrepreneurial Initiatives Reshaping Agrifood Value Chains: Examining youth-led entrepreneurial initiatives that contribute to reshaping agrifood value chains and fostering local and global impact.

6. Who will participate?

The Youth Forum bring together up to 50 young people (21-35 years old) from across the world with a professional and/or academic background in agrifood systems, including Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students, farmers or producers and scientists.

7. How are participants selected?

A call for application was launched, with deadline 15 September 2023. For more information on the application and selection process (including minimum requirements), please refer to the section Call For Applications.

8. If I am selected, what does it mean?

All selected participants will receive an invitation letter by 25 September and will have to:

• Late September: make their own travel arrangements and apply for visa (if applicable). A note with logistical information and guidance will be shared with all participants.

• Early October: attend a virtual training on the topics to be discussed at the event as well as an information session on the event’s format and procedures. For better preparation and engagement, participants will be provided with the relevant background documents.

• Mid October to event: study background documents and conduct relevant research.

• 2-4 November: attend in-person the Youth Forum at WAFI’s Conference headquarters in Pinggu District, Beijing, China.

9. Will participants receive financial support?

Relevant expenses of the selected participants will be covered, including: (1) round-trip airfare or train tickets; (2) transportation expenses and shuttle services at the forum venue; (3) accommodation and dining expenses during the forum; (4) visa application fees for international participants.

10. What languages will be used?

The sessions of the Youth Forum will be conducted in English. For the joint sessions with the World Agrifood Innovation Conference, interpretation services will be provided in Chinese and English.

11. Where can I find updated information about the event?

For more information, please visit the official World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI) website or contact office@wafiforum.com.