This International Youth Day, the United Nations has made a special call to recognize young people's critical role in transforming our food systems for healthy people and a sustainable planet.
The call comes off the back of a recent UN report on youth and agriculture urging action to make agri-food systems more appealing to young people to secure the future of food and nutrition. The report was co-authored by IWMI Research Officer Indika Arulingam and led by WorldFish’s Global Lead for Public Health and Nutrition Shakuntala Thilsted who is a member of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) High Level Panel of Experts.
Today's youth generation is the largest in history, with the global population of young people concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, predominantly in South and East Asia and Africa. This diverse group is at the forefront of many challenges, including unemployment, access to education, and food and nutrition security. They have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with impacts set to make the job market even more challenging.
As we mobilize to transform food systems to provide more sustainable, healthy, and equitable diets for the world’s rapidly growing population, we must ensure youth are at the heart of our agenda. We must ensure research, policy, and investments in food systems are informed by diverse youth and provide them meaningful education, engagement, innovation, and entrepreneurial solutions.
At WorldFish, the participation of young people in aquatic food systems is central to our research and innovation strategy. We know with the right support mechanisms, youth can lead innovations across fisheries, aquaculture, and supply and value chains that are more sustainable, more resilient, more inclusive, and better for the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet.
Recent estimates suggest that 600 million jobs would have to be created over 15 years to meet youth employment needs. We believe aquatic food systems can play a major role in providing economic opportunities for youth. Our efforts to develop the Fish For Africa Innovation Hub will be a catalyst by connecting government, private, and research actors to harbor youth entrepreneurs, build skills and launch careers.
To mark Youth Day, the CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH) held a special Fish4Thought event presenting the latest research on youth’s livelihood aspirations, opportunities, and challenges and how it affects their meaningful engagement in aquatic food systems across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
I’m also pleased to share with you below some of our science, analysis, and breakthroughs putting youth at the heart of aquatic food systems research and innovation.
Regards,
Gareth Johnstone
Director General
WorldFish
Youth-led aquatic food innovations for healthy people and planet
Empowered, innovative youth essential to strengthening aquatic food systems
A new brief examines opportunities and obstacles to youth engagement in fisheries and aquaculture. The findings set a path for researchers, policymakers, and investors to prioritize youth-led innovation in aquatic foods.
Small-scale fisheries technology create opportunities for young innovators
In an interview with WorldFish's Pacific research analyst, Joctan Lopes describes how innovations in technology and digital media are transforming the futures of youth through learning and career opportunities in aquatic food systems.
"Young people are central to transforming food systems. Their engagement and employment in sustainable food systems are a goal to be realized, and a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals."
"Young people can help to sustainably harness Zambia’s aquatic resources from inland waters. In building the capacity of the private sector, young people can benefit from new employment opportunities."
A new generation fuels the development of aquatic food systems
Internships build life-long careers in Africa's growing aquaculture industry
An internship program gives youth the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of aquaculture, providing them with the experience needed to shape the industry's sustainable future while gaining meaningful employment.
Empowering youth to take charge of aquatic food resources in the Pacific
Decision-making about local fisheries in the Soloman Islands can often exclude key segments of the population, such as women and youth, but their support and inclusion is crucial to managing aquatic resources effectively.
Youth researcher advises on fisheries management in the Caribbean
Research analyst Kristie Alleyne contributed to the Illuminating Hidden Harvest report, which highlights the underestimated contributions of small-scale fisheries to food security, through her research on the fishing industry in Barbados.
PhD student explores alternative aquatic food livelihoods in Myanmar
In an interview, doctoral candidate Yee Mon Aung explains how working alongside senior scientists has helped her grow as a young researcher and shaped her work on sustainable livelihoods and income-generating activities in aquaculture.
Providing a platform for youth at the Food Systems Pre-Summit
"Aquaculture presents a huge opportunity for youth globally. Increased youth participation will help the sector reach its full potential, driving innovations and adopting better practices."
Salifu Hawa
CEO, Hasanta Integrated Farm Enterprises, Nigeria
In the lead up to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, aquaculture entrepreneur Salifu Hawa joined WorldFish at the Pre-Summit Affiliated Session 'Aquatic Foods for Healthy People and Planet' to discuss the role of young aquatic food system actors in transforming global food systems and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As a catfish farm operator, Hawa encourages youth and women's involvement in the sector by offering free aquaculture training programs. She leverages her position to increase youth participation in food systems and works to provide meaningful employment opportunities for the next generation of food system leaders. Watch the event recording here.
Mentorship programs build the skill sets of early-career scholars
WorldFish is at the forefront of pioneering aquatic food system research and innovation. One of the most exciting and energizing ways this happens is through the development of the next generation of research leaders in our diverse and dynamic Ph.D. scholar programs. Many of these connections are facilitated through partnerships between WorldFish, the CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH), and the Crawford Fund Scholar Program, among others.
WorldFish scientists provide supervision and direction to help early-career scholars explore and experiment across a variety of disciplines in our projects throughout Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The young academics bring fresh ideas, insights, methodologies, and recommendations for how aquatic food system research and innovation can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
