From August 29 to 31, nearly 170 rural youth from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Nuquí, in the Chocó department on Colombia’s Pacific coast, to participate in the summit “Rural Youth at Peace with Nature.” The goal was to strengthen and unify their voices into a manifesto that will be presented at COP16 on biodiversity in Cali and other global forums, such as the EU-CELAC summit in 2025.
Organized by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the European Union (EU), the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Table (MEEJR), the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development Network (YPARD), the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), in collaboration with the Colombian government and the Governorate of Chocó, the event took place within the historic Migration Festival. For over 25 years, thanks to the efforts of the Mano Cambiada organization, the festival has promoted the conservation of migratory species and highlighted the cultural and environmental heritage of Colombia’s Pacific region.
The manifesto, signed in one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, outlines a series of challenges and possible solutions through five thematic pillars: sustainable agriculture and food security; human rights, safety, and peace with nature; conservation and climate change; governance; and education, science, and technology.
“Listening to the ideas, perspectives, and experiences of young people, especially those from rural areas, is crucial to building ‘peace with nature.’ It is impossible to talk about biodiversity protection without actively involving them. This manifesto must become an important tool for negotiations at COP16, as rural youth play a crucial role in environmental conservation and in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” stated Renzo Garcia, Head of Mobilization and Participation for COP16.
Similarly, Sergio Bustos, a member of the MEEJR Technical Secretariat, explained that “the manifesto aims to be a milestone for the rural, farming, and diverse youth of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a unique opportunity to strengthen youth networks in the region and encourage their participation in defining action plans for biodiversity and sustainable development.”
The participation of rural youth is key to protecting and restoring biodiversity. As vital actors in managing the planet and its ecosystems, both now and in the future, young people bring a unique perspective and innovative ideas for conservation. Their proposals can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions, fostering a new generation of environmental leaders.
According to the EU Ambassador to Colombia, Gilles Bertrand, “the creation and dissemination of this manifesto is a historic and necessary exercise. DANE data shows a 20% increase in youth migration from rural to urban areas in the past decade, mainly due to the lack of opportunities in rural zones. The European Union believes it is essential to implement concrete actions to address these challenges and reconnect the country’s rural and urban regions. In this task of not excluding anyone, rural youth are one of the essential forces of proposal and transformation.”
The inclusion of youth in decision-making mechanisms for conflict prevention and peacebuilding was emphasized in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250. Additionally, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development stresses the need to invest in rural youth to ensure inclusive development, with a positive impact on food security and poverty reduction.
Liliana Ramírez Hinojosa, a member of the EU Youth Advisory Committee in Colombia from Chocó’s Juventudes Diversas Por la Vida, added that young people “are working to build peace from various settings, not just urban but also rural. We came here because we want to be heard at the world’s most important biodiversity summit, which will be held in Cali.”
Mario Beccia, Director of AICS Bogotá Regional Office, highlighted that “this is a unique space for dialogue to contribute to the global conversation on biodiversity and peaceful coexistence with nature. Italian Cooperation is proud to participate and invest in an event of such magnitude, consolidating our mission to empower youth and promote dialogue between local authorities and national and international youth platforms toward a more inclusive and sustainable rural development model.”
Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba commented on the event: “We appreciate that the Summit was held in the Chocó Department, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. The COP allows us to showcase the interdependent relationship between ethnic communities and the land, a bond that has led to sustainable practices in biodiversity conservation, management, and use.” She also explained that COP16 will empower the indigenous and Afro-descendant communities of Chocó, who have been custodians of biodiversity for generations, giving them a voice in the creation of global policies.
