Who We Are

Welcome to the Food & Agriculture Youth Institute (FAYI), an independent committee affiliated with The International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS), a distinguished international non-profit and non-governmental student society headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.

At FAYI, we take pride in our commitment to addressing pressing global challenges surrounding sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, and one health. As a youth-driven initiative, we recognize the pivotal role that millennials and Generation Z play in shaping the future of food and agriculture systems. Our organization is dedicated to fostering a collective effort to contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of these crucial sectors.

Our Activities

Our Core Activities are Advocacy, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Exchange. At the heart of our organizational commitment, the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) engages in a spectrum of impactful activities, in alignment with our mission and vision. These activities include:

Policy Making:

• Crafting Position Papers and Call to Actions: Our dedicated team contributes to the policy landscape by formulating impactful documents such as the Water Scarcity & Food Security Position Paper, Climate Smart Agriculture Call to Action, and the Cropping Systems for the Future Position Paper.
• Ongoing Initiatives: We are currently immersed in developing the African Food System Manifesto, Food Waste Position Paper, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Prevention Position Paper, and so on by addressing critical issues with precision and insight.

Capacity Building:

• Training Programmes: IAAS and FAYI are committed to empowering its members with the necessary skills and knowledge. We conduct training programs, exemplified by the successful collaboration with YPARD for our delegation at the COP27 of the UNFCCC. These initiatives ensure our representatives are well-equipped to participate effectively in political conferences, summits, and dialogues.

Advocacy:

• Amplifying Messages: On various political platforms, we advocate for the messages encapsulated in our policy papers and call to actions. By actively participating in conferences, summits, and dialogues, IAAS ensures that our advocacy efforts resonate at the global level, contributing to informed decision-making.

Youth Education and Empowerment:

• Scientific Conferences and Events: IAAS and FAYI organize events and scientific conferences in collaboration with different committees. These gatherings provide a platform for participants to engage in knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities. The culmination of these events often results in the creation of impactful position papers that contribute to the discourse on pertinent themes.

Connecting Across Disciplines:

• Building Networks: In the course of our collaborative endeavors with partners, IAAS and FAYI create opportunities to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This networking enriches our collective experience, fostering meaningful collaborations that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

One Health Advocacy:

• Integrating One Health Principles: FAYI extends its advocacy efforts to the realm of One Health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This integration ensures a holistic approach to addressing food security challenges and underscores our commitment to promoting global health equity.

In brief, IAAS stands as a dynamic organization, engaging in multifaceted activities that contribute to policy development, capacity building, advocacy, youth education, and global connections. Through these initiatives, we continue to inspire positive change and contribute to the sustainable future of agriculture and related sciences.