International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12, this year explores the role youth can play to achieve "more equitable and sustainable food systems”.

A group of Jordanian youth from different walks of life The Jordan Times contacted on Wednesday highlighted the challenges facing youth.

They pointed out that young Jordanians should be dedicated partners in national and international efforts to address the challenges of the nation’s food systems. 

Noor Emad, a 23-year-old citizen, said that youth must be supported. 

"In order for us to be hopeful for the future, we need to be heard and regarded as partners in finding solutions,” she said.

In a statement, UN Secretary General António Guterres said: "I urge everyone to guarantee young people a seat at the table, as we build a world based on inclusive, fair and sustainable development for all.”

The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is: "Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, underscoring that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

Sustainably producing larger volumes of healthier food will not ensure human and planetary well-being. Other crucial challenges must be addressed as well, such as poverty reduction, social inclusion, health care, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, according to the UN.

"Population health is also a key in addressing food systems challenges, especially as nutrition-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer are major contributors to the global burden of disease,” the UN added.

Amani Omar, a young Jordanian nutritionist, said that there should be more emphasis on sustainable options and choices. 

"Youth are agents of true change,” Omar said.

In order to move toward a socially and environmentally equitable development process, "a nutrition lens to food systems, that will achieve better outcomes in a sustainable way, needs to be implemented”, she told The Jordan Times.

Jordan has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 63 per cent of its population under the age of 30, according to UNICEF.