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
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at
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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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