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Africa stands at a critical juncture in its history, with a rapidly growing youth population that presents both challenges and opportunities. As the continent grapples with pressing issues such as food security and economic development, it is crucial to harness the potential of this demographic dividend to achieve inclusive growth. By empowering Africa’s youth and creating an enabling environment, we can transform the continent’s food systems and unlock its economic potential.
Voluntary National Review is a strategy based on the 2030 Agenda: Member states to "conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven. Like the 2030 Agenda of participation, The Youth Café strives for global connection, has reached over 72 countries, and is a local and national rope for achieving goals. The Youth Cafés principles are a call to action for governments, civil societies, private and public sectors, bi- and multilateral, and knowledge institutions. To invest in mutual prospects and work in partnership for sustainable development.
The Youth Café looks forward to commemorate The International Youth Day especially because this years theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” coincides with one of our key thematic areas outlined in our Theory of Change, ‘Environmental Preservation and Climate Change’, where the focus is on increasing climate change literacy programs, advocacy for the creation of more green jobs, and creation of a collaborative platform where young people can actively engage and participate in finding solutions to the environmental challenges such as increased investment in the blue economy.
The Youth Day of Service press conference that was held on the 22nd July 2021, aimed at providing deeper insight into the inspiration and strategic planning of the annual week long event held from 12th August to 18th August, to coincide with the International Youth Day. Representatives from The Youth Café attended the virtual press conference to show support as implementing partners for this years YDoS event.
Through multi-stakeholder engagements and in-depth country case studies, a draft Investment Guidelines for Youth in Agri-Food Systems in Africa has been produced by FAO in partnership with the AUC. The goal of this handbook is to serve as a resource for governmental and private sector partners, including financial institutions, civil society actors, youth-led organizations, and enterprises across the region, who want to encourage more investment in job creation and agricultural growth in rural areas of Africa. On this note, FAO and the AUC are co-organizing a virtual technical validation workshop aimed at providing a platform for participants to share views and provide final recommendations towards the finalization of the Investment Guidelines for Youth in Agri-food Systems in Africa.
Although youths who are situated in farming communities have some, if not all resources at hand for the production of food, more still needs to be done in the development of youth farming. A high population of global youth are found in Africa and Asia and through increased urbanization, the act of food growing in these areas leaves food security and nutrition in jeopardy. According to reports from the World Bank, the share in food manufacturing and services is on the increase. The inclusion of women and youth into food systems can raise productivity and improve social peace, which as a result makes the migration to urban areas or even developed counties, a choice instead of a necessity.
“My favorite part of the session was the discussion and hearing participants’ feedback,” Alexandre says. “The conversations indicated to me that the course was an important one and that participants were excited to change their communities.For his session, Alexandre chose to focus on the YALI Network Online Course “Agripreneurship: A Path to the Future” (also available in French), which explores the intricacies of the agricultural value chain and the role young leaders can play in the agribusiness sector.
