International Youth Day 2024

Young people today are facing a future shaped by historic shifts affecting food systems that will ultimately impact their health and life expectancy, their employment prospects and the environment around them.

These transformations, driven by climate change, migration and urbanization among other factors, are acutely felt across developing countries. Food insecurity continues to rise in Africa, where one in five likely faced hunger last year, according to new UN figures, contributing to stunted development, diet-related illness and lost productivity.

Yet the varied needs and interactions that young women and men have when it comes to food systems are still poorly understood and not adequately addressed, despite this demographic being set to live longest with the consequences of how and where food is produced, processed and distributed.

Read more at FAIR PLANET

1. Youth in international agricultural research for development: a background paper

How  should organizations that conduct and implement AR4D projects and programs engage with youth? How should these organizations orient themselves to include youth in the research process and be sensitized to their needs and priorities? How can they conduct research, and design and develop new technologies, in ways that take into account the different needs and capabilities of youth, as well as the social positions from which they act? How can AR4D activities be organized and focused to generate substantial benefits for youth?
The CGIAR GENDER Impact commissioned this background paper  to inform the Platform’s efforts to support the integration of a youth perspective within the agricultural and food system research-for-development initiatives undertaken by CGIAR and its partners.

Read the background paper here

2. Integrating social inclusion perspectives in agricultural food systems research for development: a background paper

The importance of research that promotes inclusion and equity is acknowledged in the work of the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform, which was launched in 2020 to promote equality in food systems research. The CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform recently transitioned to the CGIAR Impact Platform on Gender Equality, Youth, and Social Inclusion to support CGIAR’s new 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, which is working toward a “systems transformation approach for food, land, and water systems” globally. The Platform aims to “kick-start a process of genuine change toward greater gender equality, improved opportunities for youth and social inclusion.” The Platform has commissioned this background paper to inform their efforts to integrate a social inclusion perspective within future agricultural and food system research for development efforts.

Read the background paper here

3. CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform working paper #20: A review of social inclusion guidelines, methods and tools

The concept of social inclusion—the process of improving the terms of participation in society—is gaining influence. This paper identifies, reviews and curates social inclusion resources for agri-food systems research. The paper analyzes how resources frame social inclusion and assesses the extent they adhere to social inclusion principles. After an introduction to social inclusion and its evolution since the 1970s, we discuss how social inclusion has been mobilised within the agri-food systems research sector and the development landscape. Using a mostly qualitative approach, we classify and analyze a selection of social inclusion guidelines, frameworks, methods and tools. We evaluate this selection based on criteria identified from a review of social inclusion literature, highlight good practices and identify gaps. In conclusion, we offer recommendations to inform the design and use of future AR4D social inclusion resources.

Find the working paper here

4.  Position paper: Contributing to collective global targets for social inclusion through CGIAR research and innovation

The CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy contributes to collective global targets for Gender Equality, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GEY&SI).

The CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform (GENDER) aspires to kick-start a process of genuine change toward greater gender equality, improved opportunities for youth and social inclusion (SI). In light of this aspiration, GENDER aims to contribute to a clearer understanding of social inclusion, its objectives and what a social inclusion approach to agricultural research for development (AR4D) means in practical terms. This process will help CGIAR develop a unique and relevant approach to social inclusion, and guide the CGIAR Impact Area of GEY&SI.

This position paper by GENDER: (i) proposes a definition of social inclusion that can guide the social inclusion objectives and approach, (ii) proposes how to conceptualize social inclusion within CGIAR’s AR4D, and (iii) formulates actionable recommendations for adopting a social inclusion lens and approach in AR4D within the framework of GEY&SI. 

Read the position paper here