International Leadership Workshop for Rural Youth announced

The 32nd International Leadership Workshop for Rural Youth will be held on 14 - 27 August 2025 with the theme of "Sharing Skills – Shaping Change”.

Agri-food systems around the globe are undergoing a huge transformation process. To help meet these challenges, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) promotes international cooperation and networking as an important cornerstone of peace policy.

The BMEL has been organising the International Leadership Workshop for Rural Youth since 1962. This, the 32^nd seminar, will be held in Herrsching (Bavaria) from 14 to 27 August 2025 under the motto "Sharing Skills – Shaping Change”.

The seminar is aimed at leaders and multipliers around the globe who are in positions of responsibility in the field of youth work or vocational training in rural areas. They are role models of integrity, audacity, persuasiveness and consistency.

The key guiding principle is making the human right to food a practical reality. The BMEL’s international cooperation with partners from governments, associations, the scientific community and civil society is characterised by open and critical dialogue.

Cooperative activities are based on the sustainability goals contained in the 2030 Agenda, promoting women and youth, integrating marginalised groups, and promoting opportunities for civil society participation and multilateralism.

The conference organisers are encouraging would be attendee by asking the questions:

• Are you preparing for a (new) leadership role?
• Would you like to readjust and evolve your leadership position?

One of the aims of the seminar is that young people attending will be able to enhance their personal strengths and learn how to make better use of them. They will acquire new skills and build international networks to optimise the use of resources in their country.

The seminar seeks to have attendees think more broadly about rural youth work and together with other participants from around the globe, reflect on global issues, such as empowering women and youth in rural areas, implementing the transformation towards sustainable food systems, fighting hunger and poverty or engaging in climate action, and apply new insights to your individual tasks on the ground.

Additionally, participants will find out about international cooperation and become part of a large network of know-how and expertise. The seminar is designed as a workshop and requires pro-active input. 

The seminar will help participants learn leadership skills and implementation strategies and develop their own personal action plan. 

To attend participants must be proficient in at least one of the three conference languages - German, English and French.

The organiser will bear the expenses for accommodation, catering, working documents and the excursions included in the programme. Accommodation may be provided in double rooms.

The expenses for travel to and from the event as well as visa and administrative fees must be covered by the participants themselves or by their organisations/employers.

The application period for participation in the seminar starts on 16 December 2024. Online applications are possible until 1 March 2025.

You can find the event website at Home: International Herrsching Seminar - it includes pages on event objectives, participation, application process and conference reports of previous events.