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Committee on World Food Security Hosts Special Youth Event 15 October in Rome

Sep 30, 2015

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) is hosting a special event on 15 October (9:30 – 11:30 a.m.) in Rome, Italy (Plenary Hall, FAO Headquarters) – Developing the Knowledge, Skills, and Talent of Youth. The objective of the event is the exchange of ideas among a diverse range of stakeholders to enhance capacity, knowledge, and skills development of youth in the agriculture sector, with the ultimate aim of contributing to food security and nutrition.

This event is informed by a background document featuring case studies of approaches and initiatives for developing the knowledge, skills, and talent of youth to further food security and nutrition.

In order to face the food security and nutrition challenges of the future – including feeding the estimated 9 billion people by 2050 with adequate, safe, diversified, and nutrient rich food – there is a need to build the capacity of the next generation of agricultural producers, by identifying ways to engage and empower youth – both women and men.

Approximately 90 percent of young people (age 15 – 24) live in developing countries where agriculture employs as much as 60 percent of the labor force and yet the majority of youth do not currently see agriculture as a viable career path given low productivity rates and the difficulties they've seen generations before them face. While the challenges are significant, the potential returns are enormous.

In order to ensure that this event is full of the voices of youth, and that youth play a role in identifying their most urgent challenges and key priorities, CSF is calling for youth to attend this event.

To register, send an email to CFS-2015-Registration@fao.org. Limited seating is available so make your plans today!