Brussels, June 2024

Do you want to explore how the youth is driving positive change in the EU's food systems and also what needs to change in the upcoming legislation? Do you want to learn about Ethical Good, Agroecology, Going Pesticide Free, Global Advocacy, and Global Food Systems?

Garlus Nord, Switzerland, 22.09.2023 - 24.09. 2023

The International Fair Trade Towns Conference is an event that brings together representatives from Fair Trade Towns worldwide to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen the global Fair Trade movement. The primary objective of the conference is to provide a platform for networking, collaboration, and learning among individuals and communities committed to promoting Fair Trade principles.

The World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, youth-led global network of partners facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The 2023 edition evolved around the theme “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action.” Lola Berna Gascón and Elena Sbaragli have been selected as observers at the WFF and have proudly represented the YFTAs during this gathering and have drafted a statement advocating for a Global, Fair and Ecological transition.

The Young Fair Trade Advocates (YFTAs) are a are EU young individuals aged 18-30 advocating for a global, fair, and ecological transition. They have been meeting with politicians, engaging with stakeholders from the Global South, and preparing policy papers. They are passionately engaged in supporting the 2023 World Food Forum's pivotal theme: "Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action". They acknowledge that climate change is a pressing global issue that cuts across national boundaries and they recognize agrifood systems’ role in the current social and environmental crisis.

The Textile, Garment, Leather, and Footwear sector (TGLF) is one of the largest sectors in the global economy. Unfortunately, it is characterized by poor working conditions and worker’s and smallholder farmers’ rights violations. Moreover, it has a great impact on the environment and thus also on climate. Hazardous chemicals, resource depletion and biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and the million tons of textile waste are some of the many concerns.

YFTA POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
SOLVING THE GLOBAL-ECOLOGICAL-FAIR TRILEMMA

45 PROPOSALS FROM THE YOUTH FOR EU POLICY TO ENABLE
A GLOBAL, FAIR & ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION

Lessons learned from international Youth dialogues with the Global South.

We want to underline that the shared opinions were those of the speakers and this document is based on the inputs of the speakers and the assessment of the Young Fair Trade Advocates about the topics.

The Fair Trade Advocacy Office supports the work of the Young Fair Trade Advocates. The paper presented by our group of young people is solely their work and reflects their own views and opinions. It does not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or official stance of our organization.