Voices of Youth

Competition process

The competition is an attempt to capture and showcase the voices of youth and their contribution to agriculture for development, whether in research, in production or assisting a community to develop a sustainable livelihood.

The project is divided into two distinct stages:

• Developing the story which would be captured in the video: the first phase of the project would be aimed at mentoring and guiding the selected participants to develop a story board capturing the themes mentioned on page
• The selected storyboards would get mentoring support and some financial support from YPARD to capture the stories into documentaries of 4-6 minute maximum.

The final video entries would be showcased through YPARD website with the full profile of the finalists.

Prize: The first finalist would be fully supported to attend a regional conference on a topic related to agriculture of her/ his choice. How to register

Download the registration form http://ypard.net/sites/ypard.net/files/Registration-Form.pdf, fill it up and sign, and email it back to info@ypard.net . Alternately, you could take a printout, fill up in block letters (to assure we could read all the details), scan it and send it to the email address given above.

Who can participate?

Anyone under the age of 40 years, active in agriculture for development (research, extension, production, community development, farming, etc.).

We are looking for a flare for communication through visuals and passion for communities and development. We also welcome young people from film or communications background with experience working with agro-communities and development.

The first level selection will be based on the registration form; in addition to age and background criteria. The idea and concept will play a strong role in the selection process.

The competition is not for film making professionals; however if you are from film background with substantial experience in agriculture and development you may also apply.

The final selection will be made by a YPARD selection committee. Finalists are expected to tell a good story as well as meeting the outlined selection criteria.

Important dates

• Registration and form submission: May 10, 2012 by 1800 hrs GMT
• Online mentoring for the storyboards: From June 01, 2012 to June 25, 2012
• Storyboard finalization and submission: July 15, 2012
• Announcement of results: July 25, 2012
• Online mentoring for making final videos: From August 05, 2012 to August 20, 2012
• Submission of the final film*: September 25, 2012
• Final results: October 05, 2012 only for the finalists selected based on their storyboard submission

Selection criteria for stories and storyboard

• Community, development and agriculture focus
• Strength of the core message and a cohesive, focused storyline
• How well it adheres to the themes and expresses the involved person’s/ communities voice

Technical considerations

For the story & storyboard:

• The storyboards could be generated by drawing, collage or in digital format by combining images through photoshop/ other software
• The storyboards must accompany the narration and the type of music (if any, such as light/ instrumental/ vocal etc.)
• The frames of the story boards should not be more than 8 centimeters X 8 centimeters when printed. The story board must submitted digitally
• The idea of the film, narration and the message needs to come through in the storyboard clearly

For more details, download the full announcement http://ypard.net/sites/ypard.net/files/Seeing-Thoughts_Full%20announcement.pdf . May you have any question, please write to info@ypard.net

Download the registration form at http://ypard.net/ypard.net/files/Registration-Form.pdf

YPARD members at the Science Forum 2011, Beijing

Youth and Agriculture: Fresh Approach for a New Paradigm

The CGIAR Science Forum 2011 held from 17th-19th October 2011 in Beijing, China under the theme “The Agriculture-Environment Nexus“ was organized by the Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) of the CGIAR in cooperation with the Consortium Board of the CGIAR, the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The uniqueness of this year’s Forum was the presence and participation of young scientists and YPARD members, and this aspect was duly acknowledged by the chair of ISPC, Kenneth Cassman. YPARDians at CGIAR Science Forum 2011, Beijing

As YPARD participants in the forum, we herewith assemble wide-ranging perspectives on Youth and Agriculture. The need for youth participation in agriculture was deliberated during conference with concerns over the ageing farming community as young generation of agriculturists do not consider the field of agriculture very lucrative. It was commonly agreed that sensitizing the youth to get involved in agricultural production and environmental conservation is vital.The active involvement of youth in agriculture would require new approaches to address increased productivity and profitability of farming through policy and institutional support, technology application, improved market links and capacity building. It was reasoned that in order to gain attractive financial returns from the agriculture, the new generation of agriculturists needs connection to technology and institutional/ policy backing to optimize operations for all points of the agricultural value chain. In many developing countries general population of poor farmers including marginal number of young farmers involved in agriculture use inefficient means of production, thereby not gaining much return from their investments. It calls for sensitization, capacity building and active participation of youth in agriculture and environment value chain management. Diverse perspectives for effective involvement of youth in agriculture were discussed by the Young Professionals among themselves and with the experts. Some key points are listed.

Emphasis on research on profitability of agriculture or to re-establish the reputation of agriculture as a profitable venture is pertinent in order to align with the broad objectives of food security, environmental management and livelihoods improvement.

Capacity strengthening on practical skills in agriculture for increased productivity, enterprise diversification and knowledge building on technology transfer looks as an indispensable investmentFaire article sur les SC via CV +LM+ qui est Jean-Claude (make changes)?

Monitoring and evaluation of youth participation in agriculture and their access to agricultural production resources and services seems essential for their active involvement

Need of agricultural policies to assist rural youth in context of capacity building both at national and local levels is a pre-requested support structure for this goal

Integrate agriculture courses at the primary and secondary education system can play an effective role in enhancing the interest and attention of young minds. While this is already in action in some regions , emphasises should be laid for its scaling this initiative in wider geographical domains

From the perspective of young professionals, it is evident that they have an important role to play both as researchers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. This close association will provide a foresight for young professionals (foreseen future decision makers) to address issues at grassroots level in conjunction with policy decision at macro level. Discussions pointed to the suggestion that young researcher’s needs to be proactive, to undertake demand-driven and results-oriented research that will address the questions raised during the discussions. For example while envisioning broader objectives such as ‘What mechanisms are to be put in place to improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers in next 20 years?’ local level goals such as ‘Adequate security for smallholder farmers in terms of their social and economic livelihoods so that agriculture becomes a lucrative business rather than the perceived poor man’s venture?’are also factored. While leveraging from the existing platforms relationship and extension activities set by the current and older generation of agricultural researchers, the young researchers and agriculturalists should inculcate the ability and capacity to change the status quo in order to suit emerging global trends in agriculture.

In summary, participation of the YPARD members at CGIAR Science Forum 2011 provided a space for young scientists to express themselves, challenge long held traditions and contribute towards global research priority setting. This trend is however expected to change with the strong and important contributions that YPARD members made. Indeed, such initiatives can go a long way to stimulate youth’s participation in global discourse and play an active role in priority setting.

Contribution by : Maxwell Mkondiwa, Stephen Mailu, Nidhi Nagabhatla, Nabafu Erina, Pepijn Schreinemachers, Veronica Crespo-Pérez, Mohammed Yaro, Kenneth Fafa Egbadzor, Ernest Nti Acheampong and Atul Dogra

It is widely accepted that educational establishments should prepare students for the job market as well as providing a general education. It is also generally accepted that present curricula do not adequately provide young professionals with the skills they need when they start on a career in ARD. Immediate changes are needed in the very short term as well as for the future.

YPARD aims to contribute to the agricultural curriculum reform discussion by identifying what competencies are required for the ‘new’ future young professional starting a career in ARD. This scenario tool will inform educational policy makers how they can make curricula more relevant and enable educational institutions produce young professionals with a more relevant set of skills and competencies that will enable them to contribute to sustainable and effective ARD.

This study intends to contribute to the debate on change in formal higher agricultural education. A questionnaire will be used to capture aspirations of young people, assess the degree to which their expectations of education are being met and which competencies would enable them to be more effective or obtain a desired role in their field. Employers will also be consulted on those competencies that they see as having increasing importance.

With the declining interest among young people to enter into ARD related subjects, it is important that future profiles, and ultimately careers, reflect the ideas and aspirations of the youth in order to generate and maintain their interest in this field. The added insight will help to place the competencies in a changing world with changing perceptions and priorities.

You can now support the process by responding to the questionnaire. When you complete the questionnaire, you will help to bring the voice of Young Professionals more into this discussion. So please give your input on how we prepare the future generation of professionals in ARD!

Don't waste a minute; complete the questionnaire here: http://cinop.survey.netq.nl/nq.cfm?q=1a499dad-8b9a-4f8b-9b6e-ede7ca01be34 (duration: around 15 min). Submit the questionnaire by Wednesday 26th October at the latest! Thank you in advance.

Call for contribution!

The young generation plays an important role in extension and rural advisory services. It has to solve many of the current global issues and will face new ones. To rise to the challenge, young professionals working in extension and rural advisory services should be paid greater attention, provided an opportunity to share their experiences, voice their concerns and communicate the challenges and opportunities for youth in extension.

We believe that there are many interesting and rewarding opportunities in this professional field that must be better communicated. The image of agriculture, and in particular advisory services, must be made more attractive to young people.

Therefore GFRAS: Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services and YPARD : Young Professional’s Platform for Agricultural Research for Development have joined forces to advance a joint mission of promoting the field of agriculture and extension among young people.

Youth and extension/advisory services e-discussions

We welcome your active participation to online discussions on issues surrounding youth and extension/advisory services, from 5 September to 30 October 2011 on the YPARD forum in preparation of the international conference on extension in Nairobi. (http://forum.ypard.net/viewforum.php?f=4 )

These discussions will specifically be on the challenges and opportunities in extension, related to youth:

• Share your experiences, challenges, and successes as a Young Professional in extension. Share some of your questions and ideas on this topic.

• Share your testimony as an Experienced Professional (perhaps not a ‘youth’ yourself) and present key challenges and opportunities of working with young professionals in extension and rural advisory services.

We will launch two spaces for discussions on the YPARD forum. Please, contribute and feel free to propose your own discussion topics related to extension/advisory services and young professionals. The outputs will include a poster and document making recommendations based on the discussion to the international conference in Nairobi in November. Expected outcomes include increased and more rewarding participation of young people in agriculture and advisory services.

Bringing these discussions to decisions and actions

What’s your benefit in contributing to these discussions? The ideas, experiences and challenges you express will be brought to the table by YPARD, GFRAS and Young representatives at the international conference in Nairobi in November. Therefore your voice will be heard at a strategic level to inform for decision-makers on those topics that impact you!

Read the call on YPARD website: http://www.ypard.net/apps/events/item/121/

Do not forget: E-DISCUSSION on Extension/advisory services and Young Professionals From 5st September to 30th October 2011 on YPARD Forum (http://forum.ypard.net/viewforum.php?f=4 )

Take your chance, contribute, get a voice, make a change!

Need some help to get started?

You would like to contribute but don’t know exactly how to get started? Please, contact us for advice and suggestions! We are glad to help and we are looking forward hearing from you! info@ypard.net

Note that you must be registered and logged in YPARD website to contribute (register here: http://www.ypard.net/accounts/register/). It just requires some minutes; just follow the instructions! If you meet any issue, please, contact us!

More about the Organizers

GFRAS is the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services. (http://www.g-fras.org/) Its purpose is to provide a space for advocacy and leadership on pluralistic, demand-driven rural advisory services within the global development agenda that promote sustainable rural growth and help the poor. This will contribute to the ultimate goal of reducing hunger and poverty worldwide. GFRAS has three functions: • Providing a voice within global policy dialogues and promoting improved investment in RAS • Supporting the development and synthesis of evidence based approaches and policies for improving the effectiveness of RAS • Strengthening actors and for a in RAS through facilitating interaction and networking

YPARD, the Young Professional’s Platform for Agricultural Research for Development, has a mission to serve as a global platform through which young professionals (under 40) can express their ideas and realize their full potential towards dynamic agricultural research for development. (http://www.ypard.org/ ) YPARD is a movement of young professionals. It creates spaces for deliberation and interaction. At the heart of YPARD as a movement are its members, who are encouraged to become active in their area, spread the news about YPARD to other young professionals, encourage a stronger voice of youth in their own organizations and share their views and ideas with other young professionals in the network.

In order to realize its vision, YPARD has the following strategic objectives, • To facilitate exchange of information and knowledge among young professionals across disciplines, professions, age and regions. • To broaden opportunities for young professionals to contribute to strategic ARD policy debates. • To promote agriculture among young people. • To facilitate access to resource and capacity building opportunities.

Appel a contribution!

Les jeunes générations jouent un rôle important dans la vulgarisation et les services de conseils en milieu rural. Les jeunes doivent résoudre de nombreux problèmes globaux actuels et vont devoir faire face à de nouvelles problématiques à l’avenir. Pour surmonter ces défis, les jeunes professionnels qui travaillent dans la vulgarisation et dans les services de conseil en milieu rural devraient être sujets à une plus grande attention, recevoir l’opportunité de partager leurs expériences, faire entendre leurs inquiétudes et communiquer les défis et opportunités de la jeunesse dans le domaine de la vulgarisation.

Nous pensons qu’il y a beaucoup d’opportunités intéressantes et gratifiantes dans ce secteur professionnel, qui doivent être mises en avant. L’image de l’agriculture, et en particulier des services de conseils, doivent devenir plus attractifs pour les jeunes.

Par conséquent, GFRAS: le forum global pour les services de conseils en milieu rural et YPARD: la plateforme des jeunes professionnels pour la recherche agricole pour le développement ont joint leurs forces pour mener une mission commune de promotion du secteur agricole et de la vulgarisation parmi les jeunes.

E-discussions sur les jeunes et les services de conseils/vulgarisation

Nous vous invitons à participer activement aux discussions en lignes sur les problèmes liés à la jeunesse et les services de conseils/vulgarisation, du 5 septembre au 30 octobre 2011, sur le forum de YPARD, en préparation de la conférence internationale sur la vulgarisation, qui aura lieu à Nairobi.

Ces discussions porteront particulièrement sur les défis et les opportunités dans le secteur de la vulgarisation, en lien avec la jeunesse :

• Partagez vos expériences, défis et succès en tant que jeunes professionnels dans les services de conseils. Soumettez vos questions et idées sur le sujet.

• Partagez vos témoignages en tant que professionnels expérimentés et présentez les défis majeurs et les opportunités rencontrés en travaillant avec des jeunes professionnels dans le domaine de la vulgarisation et du service de conseils agricoles. Discutez les solutions et les limites.

Nous vous proposons deux espaces de discussions sur le forum de YPARD. N’hésitez pas, s’il vous plait, à contribuer et à proposer vos propres thèmes de discussions en lien avec la vulgarisation/les services de conseils et les jeunes. Un poster et des documents seront produits à l’issue de ces discussions pour adresser un certain nombre de recommandations à la conférence internationale de Nairobi en Novembre. L’objectif est de donner plus de visibilité et de reconnaissance aux jeunes dans le domaine de l’agriculture et des services de conseils.

Des discussions à la prise de décision et à l’action

Pourquoi contribuer à ces discussions ? Les idées, les expériences et les défis que vous exprimerez seront rapportés par YPARD, GFRAS et des jeunes représentants lors de la conférence internationale sur la vulgarisation agricole de Nairobi, en Novembre. Ainsi, votre voix sera entendue au niveau stratégique pour sensibiliser les preneurs de décision aux thématiques qui vous impactent.

Lisez l'appel a contribution en ligne: http://www.ypard.net/apps/events/item/124/

A ne pas oublier: E-DISCUSSION sur la vulgarisation/les services de conseils agricoles et les jeunes professionnels Du 5 septembre au 30 octobre 2011 sur le forum de YPARD (http://forum.ypard.net/viewforum.php?f=4)

Contribuez, Faites-vous entendre, Soyez facteur de changement !

Besoin d’un coup de pouce pour commencer?

Vous voulez contribuer mais ne savez pas exactement comment commencer? N’hésitez pas à nous contacter pour toute question! Nous restons disponibles pour toute assistance et nous accueillons vivement vos contributions! info@ypard.net

Notez que vous devez être inscrits et connectés sur le site web de YPARD pour contribuer. (inscrivez-vous ici). Cela demande seulement quelques minutes; suivez seulement les instructions. Si vous rencontrez quelques difficultés, contactez-nous.

Plus d’info sur les organisateurs

GFRAS est le forum global pour les services de conseils en milieu rural. (http://www.g-fras.org/en/) Son but est de fournir un espace de plaidoyer et d’orientation sur des services de conseils pluralistes et sous demande des bénéficiaires, dans le cadre de l’agenda du développement global, qui promeut un développement rural et une assistance aux plus pauvres, durables. L’enjeu est de contribuer à réduire la faim et la pauvreté dans le monde. GFRAS a trois fonctions : • Etre porte parole durant les débats politiques globaux et promouvoir des investissements plus rentables dans le domaine du service agricole et rural. • Supporter le développement et la synthèse d’évidences basées sur des approches et des politiques pour améliorer l’efficacité des SAR. • Renforcer les acteurs pour et dans le domaine des SAR, à travers plus d’interaction et de travail en réseau.

YPARD, la plateforme des jeunes professionnels pour la recherche agricole pour le développement, a pour mission de servir de plateforme globale à travers laquelle les jeunes professionnels (de moins de 40 ans) peuvent exprimer leurs idées et utiliser pleinement leur potentiel pour créer une recherche agricole dynamique pour le développement. (http://ypard.net/) YPARD est un réseau de jeunes professionnels, animé par des espaces de délibération et d’interaction. Les membres de YPARD sont au cœur même de YPARD et sont encouragés à devenir actifs dans leur régions, à diffuser les actualités à propos de YPARD aux autres professionnels, à encourager les jeunes à se faire entendre dans leurs propres organisations et à partager leurs points de vues et leurs idées avec d’autres jeunes professionnels de leurs réseaux.

Afin de réaliser pleinement sa vision, YPARD a les objectifs stratégiques suivants: • Faciliter l’échange d’information et de connaissances parmi les jeunes professionnels à travers différentes disciplines, professions, âges et régions • Etendre les opportunités pour les jeunes professionnels pour contribuer aux débats politiques de stratégies pour la recherche agricole pour le développement • Promouvoir l’agriculture parmi les jeunes • Faciliter l’accès aux ressources et aux opportunités de renforcement des capacités

Cette série de blogs a été lancée à la fin de l’année internationale de la jeunesse, un événement parmi tant d’autres, durant les 12 derniers mois, qui marquent une plus grande reconnaissance du besoin d’engager les jeunes dans les problématiques qui façonnent leur futur. L’ancien secrétaire général des Nations Unies, Kofi Annan a déclaré que : « les jeunes devraient être au premier plan pour le changement global et l’innovation. Renforcés, ils peuvent être des agents clés pour le développement et la paix. » Cette série de blogs sur les jeunes, les TICs et l’agriculture a montré avec succès que les jeunes peuvent apporter une perspective unique si l’opportunité leur est donnée.

Bien que la participation des jeunes professionnels reste insuffisante dans les dialogues adressant les problèmes critiques au développement, E-Agriculture et YPARD restent convaincus qu’un secteur agricole capable de répondre aux besoins du Monde sans épuiser ses ressources, deviendra une réalité seulement si les jeunes professionnels sont activement investis à façonner l’avenir du secteur. Pendant les trois mois derniers, les bloggers ont touché des sujets allant des changements climatiques à la mise en place de programmes de mentoring, et ont ainsi démontré la portée et l’étendue des façons dont les jeunes professionnels abordent les TIC, pour le développement d’une approche nouvelle et innovante du secteur agricole. Les TIC permettent des perspectives nouvelles et excitantes pour trouver des solutions aux problèmes agricoles, et sont vus par les jeunes comme des outils clé pour améliorer la mise à disposition de services, dans la recherche agricole pour le développement (RAD), pour le bénéficiaire final : l’agriculteur.

L’intérêt généré par la série souligne aussi les TIC comme un facteur par le biais duquel les jeunes professionnels sont attirés par la RAD et peuvent y trouver un rôle. La jeune génération ne montre pas de crainte vis-à-vis des technologies et adopte une approche multidisciplinaire pour valoriser l’agriculture et éliminer la faim. Une plus grande intégration des TIC dans la RAD peut aider à adresser l’intérêt en déclin des jeunes pour la RAD, permettant aux jeunes générations d’apporter des innovations pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire pour l’avenir.

Toute aussi importante, la génération des ainés peut assurer un environnement qui permette aux jeunes générations de s’épanouir dans leurs professions et qui supporte leur participation dans des opportunités de partage de leurs expériences et d’apprentissage avec les autres.

Pour finir, nous voudrions remercier notre groupe de bloggeurs dont l’enthousiasme et la volonté de partager leurs idées nous laissent beaucoup d’espoir pour un avenir meilleur. YPARD et E-Agriculture vont mettre en avant cette série d’articles dans les réunions à venir et autres événements en face-à-face, pour démontrer la connaissance collective et le dévouement des jeunes d’aujourd’hui engagés dans l’agriculture et les TIC.

22 août 2011 Courtney Paisley (YPARD) et Michael Riggs (e-Agriculture)

Lisez tout les blogs sur les jeunes, l’agriculture et les TIC: http://www.e-agriculture.org/fr/blogs-r%C3%A9cents-lagriculture-les-tic-et-la-jeunesse.

(Bien que cette série spéciale de blogs soit terminée, les blogs sont toujours ouverts. Si vous voulez publier votre propre blog sur e-Agriculture ou YPARD, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter via info@e-agriculture.org ou info@ypard.net.)

The special series of blogs on Agriculture, ICTs and Young Professionals was launched at the end of the International Year of Youth, one of many activities during the last twelve months that mark the beginning of a greater recognition of the need to engage youth in the issues that shape their future. The former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stated that, "Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.” This blog series on youth, ICTs and agriculture, has successfully demonstrated that youth will contribute a unique perspective if given the opportunity.

While there continues to be insufficient participation of young professionals in dialogues addressing critical development issues, the e-Agriculture Team and YPARD remain convinced that an agriculture sector able to meet the world’s needs without depleting its resources will only become a reality if young professionals are actively engaged in shaping the sector’s future.

Over the past three months, bloggers have touched on many topics ranging from climate change to supporting and enhancing mentoring programmes, and in doing so demonstrated the scope and breadth of ways that young professionals engage with ICTs to develop a new and innovative approach to agriculture. ICTs enable new and exciting approaches to solving agricultural problems and are seen by youth as a key tool for enhancing the provision of services in Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) to the ultimate customer – the farmer.

The interest generated in this series also points to ICTs as a vehicle through which young people are attracted to and can find a place within ARD. The younger generation is unafraid of technology and takes a multidisciplinary view towards enhancing agriculture and reducing hunger. Greater integration of ICTs in ARD can help to address the declining interest of youth in ARD, enabling the young generation to provide new innovations for a food secure future.

Equally important is the older generation who can provide an environment to enable the younger generation to flourish in their professions and support them in opportunities to share their experiences and learning with others.

In closing, we would like to thank our group of bloggers, whose enthusiasm and willingness to share their ideas leaves us hopeful for a better future. YPARD and e-Agriculture will be highlighting this collection of writing at upcoming meetings and other face-to-face events, to demonstrate the collective knowledge and dedication of today’s young people involved with agriculture and ICT.

22 August 2011 Courtney Paisley (YPARD) and Michael Riggs (e-Agriculture)

Read all the Youth, Agriculture and ICT blogs http://www.e-agriculture.org/en/recent-blogs-blogs-series-youth-agriculture-and-icts .

(This series may be over, but the blogging continues. If you’d like to blog on e-Agriculture or YPARD, please let us know at info@e-agriculture.org or info@ypard.net.)