COP23: Youth Engagement in Climate: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Smart Education

CSAYN, IFAD and partners organized a Side Event to discuss Youth Engagement in Climate: Climate Smart Agriculture and Smart Education. The occasion was given to speakers representing the CSAYN to present efforts undertaken to bridge the gap between youth, unemployment and Climate-Smart agriculture through their activities.

Africa has the world’s youngest population with 420 million aged between 15 and 35 years. The youth in Africa today are the continent’s most important future asset but they require economic stability and entrepreneurial development as well as shared wealth experiences. These fundamental premises were among the most critical points that framed the discussion. The expected outcome was to emphasis the role of agriculture within the continental context as it is the only sector with the size and economic leverage to generate broad based, poverty-reducing growth.

 CSAYN’s participation was supported by IFAD in an effort to mainstream youth voices in the subject. CSAYN’s delegation presented insightful experiences on the local and continental efforts being made to bridge the gap between youth, unemployment and Climate-Smart agriculture.

Ms. Amanda Namayi, Regional Coordinator of the CSAYN in East Africa, presented an overall view of CSAYN’s work across the globe in an effort to make young people beneficiaries of the Climate-Smart agriculture both in terms of economic empowerment and sustaining the future. Her presentation was supported by a short video screening of local efforts at the fields to cultivate more drought resistance maize planting.

Dr. Latifa from the IBU University Ibn Zohr-Morocco presented their initiative L’effetPapillon (Butterfly Effect) and the team’s effort to bring about behavioral change towards environmental sustainability at the early stages of the University community. How “Research based Education” can best support the development of “Innovative-tool based Education”. Dr. Latifa indicated that the approach is expected to result in the improved engagement of students in various academic fields to behave consciously towards cultivating sustainable practicing in their respective fields.

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Dr. Latifa giving her presentation on L’effet Papillon (Butterfly Effect)

 

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Mr. Amath Pathe of IFAD giving his presentation; overlooking are fellow panelists from left: Dr. Olu Ajayi of CTA, Amanda Namayi of CSAYN and Catherine Mungai of CCAFS