Young agriculturists from across Africa are set to join an hour-long discussion on building a more resilient and sustainable food system on the continent. The virtual event, hosted by Nourishing Africa, is on the official agenda for the World Food Forum currently underway.
The World Food Forum is a youth-led movement and network to transform the world’s food systems to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. While the world currently produces enough food to feed everyone, there are nearly 700 million people who are hungry.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, more people have been left hungry. An increase in threats like pests, plagues, conflict and climate change are furthermore compounding the global food crisis.
This evening’s Nourishing Africa session is part of a series of events, dialogues, and outreach programmes presented as part of the World Food Forum. It gathers youth to drive awareness, foster engagement and mobilise youth-led action in support of agri-food systems transformation.
Participating in tonight’s event are:
- Rahmat Eyinfunjowo from Nourishing Africa;
- Etienne Niyigaba from the Youth Engagement in Agriculture Network (YEAN);
- Sophia Healy-Thow from the UN Food Systems Summit Youth Liaison Group;
- Victor Arimbi from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO);
- Ifi Umunna from Nourishing Africa;
- Dr Martin Frick from the UN Food Systems Summit;
- Kofi Kisiedu Acquaye from Young Professionals in Agricultural Development (YPARD); and
- Victor Mugo from Nourishing Africa.
The World Food Forum represents the “first major follow-up” to the UN Food Systems Summit in New York. Organisers say the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other Rome-based UN agencies “will continue to implement ambitious and urgent efforts designed to make the world’s agri-food systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable”.
President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada delivered the opening remarks, followed by a special address from Pope Francis.
The five-day World Food Forum, which ends on Tuesday, 5 October, features youth leaders from the world of farming and beyond, who will be joined by influencers, celebrities, business and civil society leaders.
How to register for the Nourishing Africa event
The Nourishing Africa virtual discussion kicks off at 17:00 West African Time, 18:00 Central African Time and 19:00 East African Time. In other words, if you’re living in South Africa, the event begins at 18:00 sharp. Simply click on this link to register.
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