ETH Researchers join the World Food Forum
A selected delegation of seven students and researchers represented ETH Zurich and co-organized a side event at World Food Forum, held at the FAO in Rome in October.
The theme of this year's World Food Forum was Good food for all, for today and tomorrow. The forum was organized around three pillars: Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and Hand-in-Hand Investment, and it was held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome from 14-18 October. A selected delegation of seven students and researchers represented ETH Zurich at the Global Youth Action Forum of the World Food Forum.
The ETH Zurich Youth Delegation had the opportunity to interact and exchange with leaders and youth from around the globe. They were also able to exchange with other Swiss delegations, including that from the Swiss governmental agencies (Federal Office for Agriculture, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office) and from Bern University of Applied Sciences. The entire group met with the Swiss Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Rome, Krisztina Bende. At the meeting at the Swiss Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the group was able to exchange freely with Ambassador Bende and explore the engagement of Switzerland to the Rome-based UN Agencies and the work of the permanent representation.
Together, these Swiss delegations held a Side Event at the World Food Forum focused on the topic of the true cost of food models. The event entitled Beyond the price tag: Let’s talk about the true cost of food was well attended. With presentations and working groups, the session motivated participants to add their voices, share their knowledge, and unite in collective action to contribute to the current efforts in uncovering the hidden health, economic, environmental, and social costs of agrifood systems. The goal was to move forward the analysis and application of true cost of food principles to address food system challenges effectively.
We at the Center are proud of all of these young students and researchers for sharing their ideas and passion about food systems transformation. We share their statement here.
Statement of the Youth Delegation from ETH Zurich
The World Food Forum (WFF) kicked off with memorable opening speeches from the King of Lesotho and the President of Liberia. This year’s forum hosted diverse and interesting events while focusing on incorporating Indigenous and youth voices. The events attracted participants globally, especially from developing countries, with many young participants from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific regions. These changemakers shared inspiring examples of youth actions that address pressing food system issues at discussion panels and start-up pitches. These examples underscored the importance of meaningful youth participation, emphasising greater accessibility, diversity, and autonomy.
Swiss-led event on the true cost of food
In collaboration with Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, we co-organized a youth side-event “Beyond the price tag: "Let's Talk about the true cost of food.” The event offered enriching insights into the hidden costs of food systems, such as negative health, environmental and social impacts, as well as potential tools to quantify these costs. The workshop highlighted the FAO’s flagship publication external page State of Food and Agriculture 2024 and the Swiss-based interdisciplinary project external page TRUE-COST-CH. Feedback from the many participants was very positive, with many hearing about the topic for the first time and becoming more aware of it.
How can we act together upon the right to food?
The true cost of food idea precisely pointed out sources of problems in food systems unaddressed by current economic systems. There seems to be a growing consensus on the need to reform current agri-food systems for sustainability, addressing challenges like malnutrition, water management, and food waste by promoting food sovereignty, and the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. Despite extensive dialogues at the youth forum, tangible outcomes toward sustainable agri-food systems remained unclear, with limited focus on actionable steps. The emphasis on youth-led initiatives raises questions about balance—should these projects be youth-dominant?
We were introduced to a case study at an event organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute at the youth forum. In a case study inspired by real-life examples, we discussed approaches to tackle problems such as land-use conflicts and food insecurity caused by a country’s export-oriented agricultural policies. An hour later, there was a Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum session in another room in which countries presented key high-value export-oriented agricultural commodities and their investment portfolios, with terms like “Net Present Value” and “Internal Rate of Return”, to attract global investors. With a big banner on “Right to Foods” at the WFF which (literally) gives people fruitful thoughts, how can these investors consider the hidden costs of food and invest in the “right” future for everyone?
Two seemingly competing visions towards export-oriented agriculture emerged from these two events, and one question remained unanswered: In addition to having youth discuss at “Regional Youth Assemblies”, develop “Youth Action Plans, and showcase “Young Scientist Report” in one week per year, how can WFF bring different food system actors together to have honest, actionable, and continued discussions on different topics–such as the synergies and trade-offs of export-oriented agriculture–to support evidence-based policymaking?
Looking forward
This year’s close collaboration among the Swiss government, World Food Forum, and academic institutions has given us new opportunities for fruitful discussions on concrete ways forward, such as creating a Swiss WFF national chapter. We thank the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the FAO for their wonderful hospitality and the World Food System Center for supporting our engagement as young scientists. It is a crucial time to explore opportunities for integrating young people into larger frameworks for actual change.
Yours sincerely,
ETH Zurich Youth Delegation
Shun Hei Lee
Inès Astrid Tougma
Cora Tampe
Julie Lestang
Carole Zermatten
Jize Jiang
Marina Stettler