Investing in youth for a sustainable future in agriculture and Food Systems

28 March 2023. Investing in youth for a sustainable future in agriculture and Food Systems: A dialogue on the way forward

This event discussed how the new EU-IFAD partnership agreements can be used to promote agro-ecological approaches and other sustainable agricultural practices among youth.

A panel discussion followed a conversation on policy priorities for youth and the future of food systems with EU Commissioner for International Partnership, Jutta Urpilainen, IFAD President, Alvaro Lario, and Chairperson of the Committee on World Food Security, Gabriel Ferrero de Loma-Osorio.

KICK-OFF PRESENTATION 

•  Thouraya Triki, Director, Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division, IFAD Introducing EU – IFAD recently signed agreements and their integration in IFAD and EU project portfolio, including: 

1. Programme for Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health in ACP Countries (ILSA) 
2. Global Programme for Small-scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (GP-SAEP)

INTERACTIVE OPENING CONVERSATION: discuss policy priorities on youth and the future of food systems. 

• Moderator: Genna Tesdall, Director, YPARD 
• Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Union 
• Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development 
• Gabriel Ferrero de Loma-Osorio, Chairperson, Committee on World Food Security 

PANEL DISCUSSION: investing in, for and with youth including through agroecology, nature-based solutions, and soil health improvements to build long-term resilience and sustainable food systems 

• Moderator: Satu Santala, Associate Vice President, External Relations and Governance Department (ERG), IFAD
• Elizabeth Nsimadala, President, of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation
• Estherine Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) 
• Fatimata Cheiffou, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Niger 
• Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General, Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) 
• Kola Masha, Founder and CEO, Babban Gona
• Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition 
• Remarks Renate Hahlen, Deputy Permanent Representative, Head of UN Section, EU Delegation