YOUTH AHEAD: Policy Innovations to Create Opportunities for Young People in Africa’s Agrifood Systems
The Malabo Montpellier Forum convenes senior decision-makers to assess strategies for meeting global agriculture and food security goals. Dialogue between the Panel, key stakeholders, NGOs, and the private sector promotes the sharing of high-quality research across borders. Through exchange and mutual learning among leaders in agricultural growth and food security, the biannual Malabo Montpellier Forum provides a platform to promote policy innovation using evidence produced by the Malabo Montpellier Panel. Co-Chaired by H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and H.E. Assia Ben Salah Alaoui Ambassador at Large to His Majesty the King of Morocco, the Forum seeks to create a space for politicians and policymakers to exchange directly on issues of strategic importance in a context free from domestic pressures.
Every meeting of the Forum is guided by a technical report prepared by members of the Malabo Montpellier Panel; these research reports provide high-level decision-makers with access to the latest evidence to guide effective implementation of policies and programs that benefit smallholder farmers in Africa, especially women and young people.
Themed "YOUTH AHEAD: Policy Innovations to Create Opportunities for Young People in Africa’s Agrifood Systems", the Panel’s forthcoming report is set to be launched at the 13th Meeting of the Malabo Montpellier Forum. The report focuses on successful institutional and policy innovations and programmatic interventions in African countries to empower Africa's youth in transforming agrifood systems. Many youths in Africa face high unemployment and lack the necessary knowledge and skills to tap into these opportunities, largely due to a lack of access to land and finance. The panel aims to provide practical actions to enable environments that support young people in creating or taking on employment opportunities in the agrifood system, highlighting areas of progress and potential entry points for youths.
The Forum will be conducted in three parts: a technical part drawing on the findings and recommendations from the Panel’s report and Youth Issue Paper, Reflections on the outcomes and lessons from the report and issue paper, and a high-level policy roundtable, composed of senior representatives from African governments, development partner agencies, youth organizations, and the private sector.
