Youth expect action, not just sympathy from Nutrition for Growth leaders

The three teenagers from Nepal, Sierra Leone and Colombia want their advocacy to world leaders at #N4GParis to translate into better nutrition for the world’s children

In a room filled with global leaders and policymakers, three young voices rose above the noise, carrying a message that could no longer be ignored. Salome from Colombia, Williams from Sierra Leone, and Sunischita from Nepal traveled to Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit with one goal: to demand urgent action to end hunger and malnutrition. Representing their communities, they shared their personal experiences, bringing the reality of food insecurity to the forefront of global discussions and calling for action on this topic.

The young people meeting French government representative — *The young people met with many leaders including Brieuc Pont, Special Envoy on Nutrition and Secretary General of the N4G Summit*

For Salome, 17, stepping into the summit felt like stepping into history. “I never thought I would stand in front of ministers and global leaders. It’s incredible but also makes me realize how important it is that I am here. Too many children in my community go hungry every day. I came to speak for them, to remind leaders that this isn’t just numbers and reports, these are real lives.” As a young leader she advocates to eradicate this, and other issues related with climate change and women’s rights.

Salome was deeply moved by the conversations she had, but also carried a sense of urgency. “They listened, and that gave me hope. But listening isn’t enough. We need action, and we need it now. Children cannot wait.”

Williams, 17, had a similar experience. He has seen the impact of malnutrition in his own community in Sierra Leone, where children all too often go without enough nutritious food. Arriving at the summit, he felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. “I knew I had to be brave. I was speaking not just for myself, but for the children in my country who just eat once a day”. He shared his story, urging global leaders to invest in school feeding programmes and nutrition education. “One leader told me that my words were powerful,” he said. “I hope that means they will act. We cannot continue to let children suffer from hunger when we have the solutions.”

For Sunischita, 17, the summit was a moment of empowerment. Coming from Nepal, where climate change is making food security increasingly uncertain, she wanted leaders to understand the urgency of the crisis.

“I looked around the room and realized these are the people who can make change happen. But do they really understand what it’s like for families who struggle every day to afford healthy food?”

Sunischita at N4G — *For Sunischita, though speaking to leaders felt empowering, she wondered whether they could truly understand the experience of poverty and malnutrition*

Beyond speaking at the summit, all three young advocates had the opportunity to engage in discussions with global leaders and other young leaders during the whole week at different spaces such as schools, UNESCO, the Embassy of Ireland and the Village of Solutions of N4G. They joined a larger movement calling for urgent investment in nutrition, clean water, and sustainable food systems. They shared stories from their communities, listened to commitments, and made sure that the voices of children were at the heart of the conversation. But they also left with a deep understanding of how much more work needs to be done.

As the summit came to a close, the three stood together, hopeful but resolute. “This experience has shown me that young people have power,” Salome reflected. “We don’t have to wait for change, we can demand it.” Williams agreed: “They heard us. Now, they must act. Malnutrition is not just a problem in our countries, it is a global crisis. As our French co-leaders shared, they also have problems like malnutrition here. We need solutions that reach every child, no matter where they are.”

Young people reviewing their call to action — *The three joined other young people in Paris to write a Call to Action that they read to leaders at the closing ceremony*

For Sunischita, the summit was only the beginning. “This is not the end of our fight. We will continue speaking up, pushing for action, and making sure that no child is forgotten.”

Watch the young people after the conference:

Learn more about World Vision’s attendance at the N4G summit.

Children and young people are calling for Governments to listen to their concerns, experiences, and solutions to malnutrition. World Vision stands alongside these incredible young leaders. Stand with us.