Empower Youth4Food campaign launched in Vietnam

Two ministers, Youth4Food Ambassadors, volunteers and representatives founding partners and other VIPs.

The goal of the campaign is to get young people in Vietnam to change how they think about farming and jobs in agriculture, and to become more involved in shaping sustainable food systems.

The campaign is supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and coordinated by the regional Southeast Asia office of Nuffic – the Dutch organisation for the internationalising of education.

Inviting collaboration from the Vietnamese government, private sector, and academia, Minister van der Wal stressed the importance of collective investment in empowering future leaders for a more sustainable future.

"As we gear up for the challenges we are facing, investing in tomorrow's leaders is crucial. That is why I proudly champion the Empower Youth4Food campaign. I firmly believe that sustainable agriculture is vital for food security and a healthy, robust environment. Achieving this requires the active involvement of young people, educational institutions, government, businesses, and community organisations. Their innovative ideas are essential in shaping our sustainable approach," said minister van der Wal.

Chao Yen, a young Vietnamese entrepreneur, shared her personal journey of encountering criticism upon returning to her home village to launch a small business centred on sustainable agriculture, saying, "This campaign has the potential to motivate young Vietnamese people to pursue aspirations in the agricultural sector, providing opportunities for learning about resilience, adaptation to climate change, and strategies to enhance the value of agricultural products."

Youth4Food ambassadors, Dutch minister of Nature and Nitrogen of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality, together with the Dutch and Vietnamese bussiness delegation.

Chengrui Kang, a graduate from the Dutch university system and current general manager of East-West Seed Vietnam, said, "East-West Seed is committed to sharing business initiatives and innovations in Vietnam through company visits, internships, and guest lectures."

Thuy Nguyen, an alumna of Erasmus University Rotterdam and Sustainability Manager Asia at De Heus, expressed her hopes through the campaign.

“We aim to showcase how De Heus develops the food and agriculture value chain sustainably, inspiring others to participate in addressing challenges,” Thuy said.

Representative of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Kalyan Guntuboyina, spoke of the urgency in addressing food system challenges as we approach 2050, with a projected global population of 10 billion.

“WUR aims to empower youth by emphasising sustainability and innovation, cultivating a new generation of agricultural leaders committed to a future prioritising food security and environmental sustainability,” said Guntuboyina.

With the ongoing risks of climate change and an ageing population of farmers, Vietnam's self-sufficiency is at risk. Unfortunately, many young people don't see farming as a viable occupation, believing it to be old-fashioned and unsuited for modern times.

The Empower Youth4Food Campaign wants to change that by showing young people, aged 16-35, what the agricultural sector has to offer.

Drawing inspiration from countries like the Netherlands, where farming is a sophisticated, high-tech industry utilising advanced technologies such as hydroponics and drones, the campaign aims to demonstrate that farming can be both modern and full of potential.

Recognising that Vietnam is not the only country facing the challenges of stimulating its youth to join the agricultural sector, the first variety of the Empower Youth4Food campaign was launched on 22 April 2021 with chapters established across Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore.

One of the highlights was the 'Changemaker Challenge', wherein over 200 students and 50 young professionals from across Southeast Asia presented innovative solutions to the real-world business challenges faced by agri-food companies.

Events tailored to Vietnam will engage different age groups, offering activities like social media contests and online seminars to educate on sustainable food systems. Success stories will highlight Vietnamese professionals, especially those who studied in the Netherlands, demonstrating the rewarding careers available in agriculture.

The 'Changemaker Challenge' will engage students in solving real-world issues faced by agri-food companies, providing seed money to the winning teams to bring their innovative ideas into implementation.

Additionally, the campaign will connect Vietnamese students and young professionals with career opportunities through collaboration with members of the Dutch Business Association Vietnam, offering guest lectures and company visits for high school students aged 16-21 and promoting job openings and internships for young professionals aged 22-35.

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