Page 112 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

Kyu Won Choi

FROM UN VOLUNTEER TO PROGRAM

DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT CONSULTANT WITH FAO

Kyu Won Choi’s journey as a UN Volunteer with FAO drew a deep concern for the future of agrifood systems. Alarmed
by the growing dominance of petroleum-based industrial farming, she began working directly with smallholder and
organic farmers in the Republic of Korea, founding cooperatives and launching digital marketplaces to support their
livelihoods.

From that experience emerged a guiding principle: “the unity of smallholder farmers will be key to sustainability.” Her
drive to explore this further led her to FAO’s Regional Office for Africa, in Ghana, and later to FAO Timor-Leste as a UN
Volunteer, where she joined the Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment project. There, she supported the formation of
108 farmer cooperatives, youth-led agribusinesses, and policy work on green employment.

A few moments stood out for her: “After a sustainable livestock management training in Bacau municipality, young
farmers invited me to dinner and prepared a goat from their farm. I also recall a moment in Manufahi municipality,
where a young farmer had established an integrated farm using seed money and training support from FAO. During my
visit, he proudly shared fresh cucumbers from his harvest. Their unconditional generosity made me feel truly connected
with the community and inspired me to delve deeper into their language and culture.”

Today, Kyu continues to draw from her UNV experience. “My time in the field taught me to design farmer-centred
programmes that respond to real needs.” Now part of FAO’s staff, she continues to champion food sovereignty—working
from the ground up to build the capacities of farmers and expand local food systems.

Former UN Volunteer, Kyu Won Choi, while photographing local
farmers in Timor-Leste, “One of them put a monkey on my head,”
she shared. Kyu is now staff at FAO. [Kyu Won, 2023]