Food production sustains us all, but it also comes at a cost: water sources are being depleted and contaminated by food production, and unhealthy diets are burdening our health care systems.

This article points out that Agroecology is about tackling environmental and socioeconomic issues but also hunger, contrary to popular belief. With more than 800 million undernourished people in the world and a major global obesity crisis, agroecology can, and is, providing new solutions.

The workshop was hosted by MaeJo University in Chiang Mai (Thailand) on 26-27 June and was attended by representatives of 11 Universities from 8 different countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also Agencies of the United Nations and research institutes.

The workshop represents a stepping stone towards developing a regional project addressing Agroecology and Higher Education Institutions in ASEAN. In the framework of this collaboration, some Policy Briefs are also being drafted entitled how to (re)engage youth into agriculture through Higher Education Institutions.

Photo credit: FAO / Tamiru Legesse

Young farmers and peasants represent an unique position within the current agroecological transition that is taking place all over the world. Rural youth around the world possess energy, creativity and a desire to positively change their world. What they need is support and opportunities.