TODAY -

Engaging youth in tackling antimicrobial resistance to protect health and food security

Shobha Shukla *

 Failure to find all TB cases defeats us in #endTB efforts



Youth are critical change-makers not only as future prescribers and users of antimicrobials but also as influencers of the behaviour of their peers, parents and community. Strengthening youth engagement in our response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can go a long way in addressing this global threat that is directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and contributes to nearly 5 million deaths per year, apart from causing a loss of USD 3.4 trillion annually to global economy.

It is imperative to harness youth energy by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to take impactful actions to tackle AMR. Keeping this in mind the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP, the World Health Organization - WHO, and the World Organisation for Animal Health - WOAH) - have jointly developed an "AMR toolkit for youth engagement," that was launched earlier this month in three languages (English, French and Spanish).

Mimi Melles-Brewer from the WHO AMR Awareness, Campaign and Advocacy Unit said that the overarching goal of the toolkit is to strengthen youth engagement in AMR related activities. Its set of 11 tools provide actionable guidance to equip youth-led networks and youth-serving organisations with the resources to engage young people meaningfully in AMR communication, education, and campaigns.

Lucia Escati, Communications Officer, WOAH reminded us that 2024 has been an important year to raise awareness on AMR as it was addressed in two very high-level political events:

(i) in September the 2nd UNHLM on AMR was held in New York where world leaders adopted the political declaration committing to a clear set of targets and actions, including reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial AMR by 10% by 2030;

(ii) in November the 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Jeddah Commitments adopted at the meeting underscore the need for coordinated efforts to address human, animal, plant, and environmental health to combat AMR. They also stress the importance of implementing primary secondary and tertiary education programmes that strengthen the prevention component of AMR response.

These meetings, along with the World AMR Awareness Week (held every year 18 to 24 November) campaigns show that there is political will and commitment to tackle AMR. They also recognize the importance of youth engagement and AMR education at all levels of the AMR response.

The energy, creativity and commitment of young people make them indispensable in transferring the commitments (made at high-level meetings) into tangible actions on the ground. By empowering young leaders we can amplify solutions that address not only AMR but also the roots causes of inequity and environment degradation, believes Wenjing Yan, Communications Consultant at UNEP.

Ways to enhance youth engagement?

Jessica Mitchell from University of Edinburgh & CE4AMR (community engagement for AMR) Network, thinks that young people should not be just the end users of the information we create. They should be genuinely engaged as researchers, instead of merely being the targets of research.

"We need to look at more equitable ways of involving young people in the research ecosystem. A lot of the youth focussed work on AMR is very human health centric and agriculture centric. We have to engage youth who are engaged in other One Health sectors and make space for diverse people, such as medics, pharmacists, veterinarians - to hold the floor in AMR discussions," she said.

Randa Bazzi, a member of One Health Alliance of Jordan and Quadripartite Working Group on Youth Engagement for AMR, opts for using non-traditional methods to empower youth for addressing antimicrobial resistance, climate change, food security, and other One Health related challenges. Her organisation inspires young people to become advocates for AMR solutions by conducting workshops on meat hygiene and zoonotic diseases; or holding youth events and contests that feature role playing exercises, and/or creative works of art and photography to express their understanding of AMR and enhance youth engagement by sharing ideas, building networks and driving collective action.

The Commonwealth Youth Health Network (CYHN) has been working with both young people and youth led organisations across 56 commonwealth countries - from big countries like Nigeria to small island developing countries in the Pacific - to help them advance AMR action.

Lucy Fagan, Chair of CYHN said they work with young people at the forefront of local education initiatives and grassroots campaigns, as well as with broader multi-sectoral youth organisations- like National Youth Councils and student organisations- to help equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and also advocate for multi-sectoral AMR action plans in their countries.

Her organisation aims to recruit their first cohort of Commonwealth Youth AMR Champions from every region, as well as dedicated youth champions from small island developing countries. They will work with youth-led organisations in their region to begin implementing AMR projects using the toolkit. They are also exploring the possibility of a seed grant programme to put money into the hands of young people and youth led organisations to support them in designing and implementing AMR actions using the toolkit as their guide.

Fagan wants the youth to be given the agency and power to be part of AMR related projects from the beginning (and not in the end)- from designing to implementation to measuring impact of any project. There should also be some sustainable flexible funding for them to implement their plans.

Nahashon Gicheru, a public health specialist from Nigeria and member of the Quadripartite Working Group on Youth Engagement for AMR, wants policy makers to consult young people during the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluating of AMR policies and action plans, as youth have first hand experiences on issues related to AMR and have a deep reach in society to achieve the whole of society approach to efficiently contain AMR. And one unique advantage on top of all that is that they are able to reach to this very large group of population (Note: More than 50% of the global population is under 30) who will face the impacts of AMR in the future.

Yerkem Sembayeva, Communications Officer at FAO, says that the quadripartite partners are committed to supporting youth-led actions, creating enabling environments for their ideas to flourish and ensuring that their perspectives are integrated into the One Health responses to AMR.

"By working together across sectors, generations and borders, we can build a stronger and more holistic approach to tackling AMR. By leveraging the energy and creativity of young people we can extend the reach of AMR awareness campaign, foster innovative solutions and ensure that the fight against AMR is inclusive and impactful."

Our future is in the hands of youth and they have to be engaged proactively to make it a healthy one.


* Shobha Shukla wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service)
and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate.
She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College
and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media)
and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA).
She coordinates SHE & Rights Media Initiative (Sexual health with equity and rights).
Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla
This article was webcasted on December 19, 2024 .



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet