Paisley Engaging young professionals in the agri food sector - strategies, lessons and experiences...

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Engaging Young Professionals in the Agri-food Sector: Strategies, Lessons and Experiences from

YPARD and YPARD AfricaCourtney Paisley, YPARD Coordinator and

Gbadebo Odularu, YPARD Africa Coordinator

Presented at: Young People, Farming and Food: Future of the Agrifood Sector in Africa

A global platform of young professionals under 40 years of age active in Agricultural Research for Development (ARD)

What is YPARDWhat is YPARD?

Why YPARD?Why YPARD?Insufficient participation of young professionals

in dialogues addressing critical development issues

• Limited access to professional opportunities for youth

• Absence of a support network or platform to voice young professionals’ ideas, opinions and concerns

• Declining interest in agricultural education among youth

• The need for sustainable ARD

Ageing ARD populationAgeing ARD population Age distribution by agency and gender, 2007 (calculated by

headcount)

At these three agencies, the large majority of researchers were over the age of 40 in 2007. Over half were between the ages 51 and 60. This aging pool of well-qualified researchers, many of whom will retire in the next decade, is a major area of concern.

Sources: Calculated by authors from ASTI-AWARD 2008/09.

1. To facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge among young professionals across disciplines, professions, age and regions

2. To broaden opportunities for young professionals to contribute to strategic ARD policy debates

3. To promote agriculture among young people

4. To facilitate access to resources and capacity building opportunities

ObjectivesObjectives

Our StakeholdersOur Stakeholders• Universities• Research Institutions• Donor organizations• NGOs/CSOs• Government agencies• Farmer organizations• Private sector

Distribution:Distribution:

1950 members from 117countries1950 members from 117countries

CoordinationCoordination officesoffices

Global Coordination Global Coordination UnitUnit

at

at

at

at

What we provide our membersWhat we provide our members

Information on funding opportunities, jobs, news in ARD and more!

YPARD newsletter to keep up-to-date on activities of interest to YPs in ARD

Online interaction with YPs around the globeOpportunities to apply to represent YP interests at

meetings and workshopsAbility to build a professional profileActively contributing to a more dynamic ARD!

What is Youth?What is Youth?

YPARD chose an age limit to practically manage a network

Under 40 years of ageAgricultural research requires long schoolingYoung women often at a further disadvantagePost conflict countries Also include ‘experienced and supportive

professionals’ as members

MentoringMentoring

93.5% members say that they want a mentoring programme

promote a two-way mentoring process which benefits both parties

Focus on young women and mentoring in agri-entrepeneurship

Senior-Junior partnerships for consultancies

Youth voice in eventsYouth voice in events

Leverage minimal funds for maximum impact

Make sure the youth have something concrete to say

Represent youth on specific topics from specific stakeholder groups

YPARD as a facilitation mechanismMake youth a regular stakeholder group for

consultation. Changes perceptions and provides opportunities.

Active young membersActive young members

For Africa submissions were 15 times the budget available

Increase of volunteerism in the regionPeople want to develop their

professional visibilityLanguage challenges – East and West

Africa

What our members sayWhat our members say

Why did you join YPARD?1. Increase networking possibilities (70%), 2.Receive information on ARD related

events (49%) 3.Gain access to funding opportunities

(43%) 4.Receive information about job

opportunities (23%)

What else? We‘reWhat else? We‘re lookinglooking for...for... More members!Expanding YP members in different stakeholder groups Increasing institutional linkagesMore young professionals driving the process – ideas

coming from a local levelMore dynamic online discussionsMore young faces and voices at key ARD debates Innovative and youth led ARD!

Thank YouThank You

Sign up now ! @ www.ypard.net

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