The Anteprima di Terra Madre gathering in Rome brought together 150 young activists from across Italy, organized by Slow Food Italia with the support of Regione Lazio, Arsial, and other key institutions. The central theme of this event was regeneration, focusing on reshaping the future of food and environmental sustainability through joy and collaboration. Participants, aged 18 to 35, came from diverse backgrounds, united by their shared vision of a more sustainable world.
Members of the Agroecology Europe Youth Network participated in the event. Irene Katsaros, a representative, emphasised the need for a “joyous revolution” as a way to tackle the burdens placed on younger generations. AEEU’s objectives were to connect these young voices with agroecological practices and principles, aiming to foster an ecosystem-based approach to food systems that respects natural and human ecosystems alike.
Key Discussion Points
Discussions touched on the need to move beyond seeing humanity as separate from nature, with speakers such as Sara Segantin and Carlo Petrini urging participants to build sustainable futures through cooperation, rather than fear. The conversations emphasised the necessity of agroecological practices, shortening food supply chains, supporting local food systems, and integrating food education into schools. Practical suggestions included promoting organic shops in urban areas and improving connections between urban centers and rural communities.
Event Outcomes
The event led to the creation of collaborative maps documenting virtuous practices and ideas from across Italy. These maps will serve as a foundation for a future document, developed over the next four months, which will reflect on the realities of each region and offer practical proposals for promoting agroecological transitions. These efforts culminated in a presentation at the main Terra Madre event in September 2024.
Impact on the Youth Network of Agroecology Europe
For the youth network, this gathering was a significant opportunity to build connections and share knowledge with peers from diverse agroecological backgrounds. It facilitated networking and mutual learning among participants, helping to solidify relationships within the Agroecology Europe Youth Network. The event empowered young activists to continue their work on regenerating local food systems through agroecological principles, strengthening their role as future leaders of this movement.
Follow-Up Actions
The immediate follow-up from the event is the development of a detailed action plan, to be discussed and refined within the young participants’ local communities. The final product was a document outlining best practices and future strategies, presented at the larger Terra Madre gathering in September. This marks a crucial step towards long-term agroecological transformations across Italy, driven by the energy and ideas of the youth.
