How Can Youth Transform Food Systems in the Middle East and North Africa?

Not only does the way we produce and consume food have far reaching impacts on our health, natural environment, climate, economy and livelihoods, but the current food systems and the ability of the NENA countries to work towards a holistic approach to food system development is under constant threat due to conflicts, climate change and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, food system transformation to be more sustainable, equitable and nutritious has featured at the top of national and global agendas.

In the NENA region and beyond, young people represent the future of agri-food systems. Comprising more than half the population and wielding tremendous innovative and productive capacity, Arab youth is well positioned to drive the transformation of agri-food systems to achieve food security and nutrition for all, poverty elimination and environmental sustainability. It is also paramount for young people to safeguard their own futures within these systems, by advocating for decent rural employment through green pathways.  

The World Food Forum and Food Systems Summit are two global processes which will take place in 2021 aiming to catalyze the transition and fulfillment of the SDGs, while putting young men and women at the center. It is vital to make sure the voices of young people from the NENA region are heard and represented in these processes and to develop corresponding actions at country and regional levels.

To this end, interested youth groups and young professionals, entrepreneurs, students and innovators are invited to a regional youth coordination meeting on Tuesday May 27 from 11am-12:00pm (GMT+2). The objective of this gathering is to support the engagement and empowerment of Arab youth in food system transformation, by fostering their agency and providing a platform for learning and exchange to develop feasible and impactful youth-driven solutions. 

Registration link: https://fao.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsfu-trzIuH9QWd4JOCNPROhZhZSOrQ7Yh

Agenda

 

Time (GMT+2)
11:00-11:20	Welcome, overview of meeting objectives and participants   Presentation of the World Food Forum and Food Systems Summit by respective regional focal points
11:20-11:40	Presentation of survey results and brainstorming  on actions to be taken at regional and national levels   Introduction to Mural tool Brainstorm: What activities or initiatives do you propose to advocate for food system transformation (actions to be implemted by this group in the short, medium and long term) Reviewing feedback and voting on most feasible and impactful ideas
11:40-11:50	Formation of a regional network of youth for food-system transformation   Assess interest in establishing a network (vote) Brainstorm: Which other youth initiatives or groups should we reach out to?
11:50-12:00	Next steps   Formalization of agenda of activities Assigning focal points (by country and by activity) Creation of a facebook group Next meeting time & date