Filipina-led group shines bright in global agri stage

A Filipina-led advocacy group seeking to educate the Filipino youth on how to address hunger and improve the nation's food security recently made waves abroad after being recognized by two international organizations, including a unit of the United Nations.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Youth Uprising, led by 24-year-old Robyn Mijares, was awarded with a Special Mention by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its Champion Award category.

The FAO said it recognized the non-profit organization for its "intense engagement of young people in transforming agrifood systems." The recognition was made during the week-long 44th FAO Ministerial Conference in Rome last June 28 to July 4. The Champion Award is considered as the highest honor given by the FAO to its member-states, institutions or individuals whose actions have contributed in improving food security.

This year, the FAO conferred the Champion Award to Colombia's Confederacion Mesa Nacional de Pesca Artesanal de Colombia for its efforts in championing social protection measures for fishers and playing a key role in drafting laws against illegal fishing.

"These awardees remind us that transformation is already happening and must accelerate. Let us continue working hand in hand for the transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable," FAO director general Qu Dongyu said.

Mijares was also recently recognized as one of the young global innovators in agriculture this year by the prestigious World Food Prize Foundation.

Mijares, along with 38 other individuals which include scientists, farmers, policy advisors, entrepreneurs and humanitarians across 27 countries, was named to the 2025 Top Agrifood Pioneers (TAP) list by the foundation.