Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from animal agriculture are twice those from plant-based diets. Pro Veg says policies need to be pushed that encourage plant-based nutrition. Animal agriculture is also responsible for widespread deforestation and the pollution of waterways.
The 2025 Youth Board draws on talent from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. They will engage mainly with ProVeg’s United Nations team, helping out with projects and supporting with the preparation of global events such as the Bonn climate conference in June and the World Food Forum in October.
Jasmijn de Boo, chief executive of ProVeg International, said: “It is great to see so many young people wanting to contribute to our push for food system change.
“These young people will use their voice at UN level meetings and within their own countries to highlight policies that will help the world shift away from destructive animal farming practices towards more plant-based food production and consumption. They each bring their own unique set of skills to the urgent challenge of food system change and we are looking forward to working with them.”
The members of the Youth Board include:
- Altamush Saeed, 29, Pakistan
- Benjamin Pitkänen, 27, Finland
- Brunna Sachs, 15, Brazil
- Cogie Cogan, 22, Canada
- Emma Heiling, 26, Austria
- Ferdison Valmond, 21 , Commonwealth of Dominica
- Fredrick Kioko Kilonzo, 23, Kenya
- Harriet Klepper, 22, Germany
- Heloisa Rigolon, 24, Portugal
- Jessica Cook, 25, Netherlands
- Khesveny Nyanaguru, 27, Malaysia
- Marielle Williamson, 19, USA
- Navin Durbhakula, 21, USA
- Niharika Kapoor, 27, India
- Njoke Tangwing Raisa Ngwenyi, 29, Cameroon
- Shreya Ghodawat, 29, India
- Stella Carvalho Correa, 29, Brazil
- Vivek Venkatram, 22, UK
- Vladimir Mijatovic, 25, Italy
- Zoe Adamopoulos, 26, USA