Changemakers for Agri-food Action series 2026 | Synergies between the Rio Conventions

“Changemakers for Agri-Food Action” is a series of capacity building sessions for policy enthusiasts.

The sessions are in the format of online webinars that YPARD launched in 2024. The aim of the series is to equip youth movements, including members of the YPARD Policy Working Group, with the tools, resources, and strategic knowledge needed to participate effectively in major international political processes. These include the Rio Conventions, Committee on World Food Security, the ECOSOC Youth Forum, and other key global forums.

This year’s main theme will be the synergies among the Rio Conventions, particularly as they relate to agrifood systems.

Background of the series

Conventional food production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, threatens biodiversity and the health of ecosystems, and is directly linked to land degradation. In this regard, fragmented solutions must be avoided.

This series of webinars aims to strengthen young people’s capacities and leadership so we can understand these interconnections, promote agroecological approaches, and actively participate in the implementation of integrated policies that simultaneously address the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.

Furthermore, this series strengthens youth participation in global political forums by equipping young professionals with practical skills in advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and partnership-building within the context of key international negotiations, as well as ways to translate global decisions into local action and integrate them at the national level.The sessions will feature expert speakers, activists, youth rights advocates, and representatives from key global institutions, which will help young leaders make our voices heard in multilateral forums.

The series will address specific topics, such as the role of the various conventions and their secretariats, including bodies such as the SBs and COPs, with a particular focus on the synergies among them, especially their connection to agrifood systems. It will also explore the role of youth constituencies and the mechanisms available for youth participation and advocacy at the national and international levels.

This webinar series is organized in collaboration with: YPARD, FARA, IICA, Biovision Foundation, IAAS, IFSA, FAST, IFAD, YIL, GLF,FAO OCB, GYBN, UNCCD Youth Caucus, YOUNGO Food and Agriculture Working Group, MGCY, Youth4Nature, CA4SH Coalition, World Food Forum, ProVeg, EIT Food, Banki Moon foundation, Global Citizen,and International Land Coalition.

Key Objectives

• Strengthen young people’s understanding of and leadership regarding the Rio Conventions and their synergies to drive the transformation of food systems;
• Provide practical advocacy tools for young professionals engaging in the Rio Conventions and UN processes;
• Strengthening cross-sectoral partnerships by connecting young leaders across different policy domains.

Proposed Webinars:

• Introductory Session: The Rio Conventions, Youth Constituencies, and Synergies Related to Food Systems

Date: Thursday, May 22th-15:00 / Registration link

• Understanding the UNFCCC: The Importance of Its Subsidiary Bodies (SB64)

            Date: Wednesday, June 3th

• SB64 Debrief, Conclusions, Comments and Reactions

            Date: Thursday, July 2th

• Within the UNCCD, on the road to COP17 in Mongolia

Date: Thursday July 16th

• Agroecology, just transition and other key issues to boost synergies of conventions in food systems

Date: Thursday, July 30th

• UNCCD COP17, results and conclusions,debrief

            Date: Thursday, September 10th

• From Cali to Armenia, the stakes of COP17 UNCBD

Date: Thursday, September 24th

• COP 31, on the road to Turkey, expectations and the future of the (SJWA).

            Date: Thursday, October 8th

• Debrief Session: What Was Decided in Armenia? Conclusions and Reactions from COP17 

Date: Thursday, December 3rd

• COP31 Results Session: Progress and Setbacks

 Date: Wednesday, December 2th

• Boosting synergies among Rio conventions related to food systems- From the global to the local level: advocacy on NDCs, NBSAPs, and NAPs

Date: Thursday, December 10th