World Food Forum Commemorates Africa Day Hosting the Global African Youth Dialogue

On the eve of Africa Day, celebrated on 25 May every year, the World Food Forum (WFF), in collaboration with several partners, hosted the Global African Youth Dialogue (GAYD) at the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy and online. The intergenerational dialogue organized to advocate for and explore effective youth engagement in Africa's sustainable development agenda featured an impressive lineup of young and young-at-heart speakers, powerful keynote speeches, interactive panel sessions, breakout discussions and a number of cultural performances. Over 330 in-person and online participants attended the dialogue drawn from the Universities of Rome Tor Vergata, Sapienza, Roma Tre and Luiss, as well as from the WFF Youth Policy Board (YPB), Young Scientists Group (YSG) and National Chapters from Africa. Various FAO experts from the Regional Office for Africa, the Office of Youth and Women and other technical divisions participated too.

To kick off the session, FAO’s Director of Cabinet Godfrey Magwenzi delivered opening remarks, emphasizing that any discussion about Africa's sustainable development must take into consideration two key factors: youth and the agrifood sector. “By investing in the potential of its young people and the transformation of its agrifood systems, Africa can lay the foundation for a flourishing continent that benefits all its inhabitants.” he concluded.

While providing Keynote remarks, Dr Debisi Araba, Public Policy Specialist and Visiting Researcher at Imperial College London explored the theme of the dialogue 'Catalyzing Change: Youth Action for Africa’s Agrifood Transformation and Sustainable Future.’ He highlighted how “Africa’s economic agenda is a youth agenda” and drew lessons from the newly released Malabo Montpellier (MaMo) Panel’s Report “Youth Ahead; Policy Innovations to Create Opportunities for Young People in Africa’s Agrifood Systems”.

On her part, the President of the Global Africa Youth Dialogue, Maya Musenga, set the stage for the interactive panel and break out discussions by presenting the mission of the dialogue, its structure and journey since inception.

Blending perspectives from seasoned experts and innovative ideas from young changemakers, the dynamic panel session featured five speakers tackling some critical pathways for catalyzing youth action for Africa’s agrifood systems transformation. To start with, Tacko Ndiaye, FAO Senior Officer at the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division and Vice Chairperson of FAO's Women's Committee, explored considerations on gender and social inclusion. While expounding on the various distinct factors including gender that affect youth, she encouraged stakeholders to craft tailored empowerment solutions as youth are not a homogenous, uniform entity.

Subsequently, Nomathemba Mhlanga, FAO Agribusiness Officer and Youth Focal Point for Africa, and the CEO of Fondazione Aurora, Martha Sachy, linked their remarks to the theme of Africa Day, focusing on some important changes needed to the African education and agrifood sectors to effectively prepare youth for the future of work. Moreover, Femi Adekoya, leader of the WFF National Chapter in Nigeria, tackled the importance of innovation in the agricultural domain and while providing his practical experience advocated for support to youth-led digital and technology-based agribusinesses. Eva Ntaara, Mangrove and MRV Specialist within FAO's forestry division closed the session off highlighting how African Youth can raise ambition and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis.

The dialogue also featured traditional dances from renowned Gabonese dancers David Kombila and Bingwa Lionel, a musical performance by Italo-Senegalese musician Toure Kanda's Akila, poetry by Egyptian poet Amro and a visual art exhibition by Boris Akeem from Ivory Coast.

After break-out sessions of the Global Model African Union and the presentation of the discussion outcomes, Baba Soumare, FAO Senior Animal Health Officer, provided remarks synthesizing the outcomes of the dialogue while also reflecting on how livestock were crucial in shaping his life. ”Agriculture, cropping, livestock and farming are essential not only as a source of food and nutrition; but of livelihood or simply of life.”

In conclusion, Kazuki Kitaoka, WFF's Global Coordinator congratulated the participants for the vibrant discussions and inspired them to strengthen their resolve to create a better, more sustainable future. He invited them to the WFF flagship event, scheduled to be held from 14 to 18 October 2024 at the Headquarters of FAO and online, encouraging them to bring the outcomes of the discussion to the WFF Youth Assembly.