Blog Post

SDSN Empowers Youth to Accelerate Solutions in Agri-Food Systems

Giovanni Bruna • Jul 26, 2022

This blog was originally posted on the GFAR (The Global Forum on Agricultural Research) Partners in Action series .

By: Lauren Barredo, Chief of Staff and Giovanni Bruna, Program Manager - SDSN

The world is at a critical juncture and it is increasingly important to build resilience for improved future global food systems. Youth are an invaluable stakeholder in this mission. Dayo Aduroja has written, “ Engaging youth in agriculture — an available, opportune and essential sector for growth — is critical to strengthening local food systems, feeding communities and providing gainful employment opportunities for the world’s booming youth population.” However, there are many challenges preventing youth from fully engaging in agriculture, including lack of training, lack of access to credit and capital, and a perception that agriculture is not a reliable or lucrative livelihood. In many countries, this has led to a disinterest in agriculture, rural to urban migration of young people, and aging of the farmer population.

In addition to tapping into young people’s energy and enthusiasm, we must harness their power and talent to achieve shared prosperity for humanity. A starting point is to facilitate spaces where youth can share experiences, insights, best practices, and calls to action. SDSN Youth was born to place young people at the forefront of achieving a sustainable planet for future generations. Today, SDSN Youth is one of the world’s biggest networks of young leaders working together to accelerate solutions towards the Sustainable Development Goals. One initiative, the Youth Solutions Report , annually features 50 game-changing projects led by young people, allowing them to display their work, and showcasing their work to potential supporters. In a similar fashion, the NextGen Ag Impact Network (NGIN) aims to empower youth in agriculture and related fields by offering them training and networking opportunities, linking them to funders and investors, raising awareness of their innovations, and including their voices in decision making spaces.

The SDG Academy , SDSN’s flagship education platform, creates and curates free, open education resources on sustainable development and offers them as a global public good. Courses cover a wide array of topics, but many are targeted at the next generation of agricultural leaders. Students can access the self-paced Feeding a Hungry Planet course, which features lectures and cases studies on food security, malnutrition, and restorative agriculture worldwide. Alternatively, they can enroll in Sustainable Food Systems: A Mediterranean Perspective , which includes discussions on the challenges and opportunities of the agricultural sector in the Mediterranean basin, an outline of the history and culture surrounding the Mediterranean diet, and emerging opportunities for innovation in the sector. Additionally, the SDG Academy Library houses over 80 pedagogical videos focused on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and food and nutrition more broadly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many weaknesses in our institutions and systems, particularly in the food and agriculture sector, and compromised progress towards SDG 2. It has generated much attention on “digitalization” as a solution. Integrating technology and innovation to unlock opportunities is critical for the transformation needed in this sector, and may also be a way to make it more attractive to young people and improve rural livelihoods. Digitalization can also increase resilience to shocks, as well as reduce inefficiencies through greater equality of access to robust information. SDSN has disseminated case studies in digitalization from different national contexts and operating at different scales, as well equitable approaches needed to establish pathways to zero hunger.

As Dario Piselli, Siamak Loni, Kayla Colyard, and Sienna Nordquist wrote in 2019, “Ultimately, however, harnessing youth skills for sustainable food systems will require significant efforts within countries, as barriers in access to land, credit and education are often the result of inadequate legal frameworks and insufficient domestic resource mobilization.” Therefore, transformational learning for sustainable development should consider the benefits of a youth-focused approach to agri-food systems development. Embracing new technological tools and resources in pedagogy, along with youth-led initiatives, are powerful actions to facilitate transformational learning methods for youth worldwide and contribute to sustainable food and agriculture.

You can learn more about the GFAR series here .

By Info 01 May, 2024
The SDSN has launched an 'Employee Spotlight Campaign' to showcase the passion and expertise of our staff.
By Science Panel for the Amazon 30 Apr, 2024
From April 15 to 17, 2024, the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA) met at the Universidad de los Andes, in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, gathering more than 40 members, including from the Science Steering Committee, SPA authors and the Secretariat. The central purpose of this meeting was to set the Panel’s strategic priorities for 2024 – 2025 including for the COP16 on Biodiversity in Cali, Colombia (2024) and the COP30 on Climate Change in Belém, Brazil (2025). A key milestone will be the development of a new Amazon Assessment Report to be launched at COP30 in 2025, which will address crucial issues for the conservation and sustainable development of the region from the perspective of connectivity.
By SDSN 30 Apr, 2024
On Earth Day, April 22, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was proud to kick off its Mission 4.7 Malaysia ESD Teacher Training pilot at SMK St. Mary in Kuala Lumpur.
By SDSN 29 Apr, 2024
The SDSN is pleased to announce that Dr. Hippolyte Fofack, a leading development and financial economist with more than 20 years of experience in leadership and management, development economics, banking and international finance, and academia, has been appointed as our organization’s newest Parker Fellow beginning May 1, 2024.
By SDSN 24 Apr, 2024
SDSN Portugal will gather high-level speakers from across the SDSN network to discuss and convene inputs for the upcoming UN Summit of the Future.
By Global Schools 16 Apr, 2024
The Global Schools Program (GSP) is thrilled to open applications for this year’s Global Schools Advocates Program cohort. This initiative drives transformative change in classrooms by fostering sustainable development through enhanced teacher training, aligning with SDG 4.7.
By Info 15 Apr, 2024
ABOUT SDSN The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has been operating since 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. We aim to accelerate joint learning and promote integrated approaches that address the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world. SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society. It is directed by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs and operates through offices in New York, Paris, and Kuala Lumpur. ABOUT THE SCIENCE PANEL FOR THE AMAZON The Science Panel for the Amazon, convened under the auspices of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) represents the world’s first high-level science initiative dedicated to the survival of the Amazon. The first report of the SPA, launched at the COP26 in Glasgow, is the most in-depth and holistic report of its kind on the Amazon. The state of urgency and the complexity and scope of the challenges the Amazon is facing calls for continued specialized research and scientific knowledge. It is thus paramount to ensure that the SPA remains active and operational in the long-term to develop much needed scientific assessments on the state of the Amazon and build and share knowledge to advance evidence-based sustainable development pathways for the Amazon. POSITION SUMMARY The consultant will work with the SPA team and several colleagues to develop an overall engagement strategy to work with the financial sector in the Amazon region and support conservation and a sustainable bioeconomy. The consultant may oversee several projects and initiatives. The consultant will analyze data on the supply chains for key commodities in the Amazon, highlighting key players involved as well as the risks and opportunities for more sustainable production systems in the Amazon. Based on the SPA Report’s assessment and recommendations on bioeconomy and restoration, the consultant will identify potential key partners to be engaged in the dialogue for sustainable solutions for the Amazon. Working with the SPA team, the consultant will support the development and implementation of an engagement strategy for dialogues with key development banks and financial institutions. The consultant will support the establishment of partnerships with key stakeholders such as the World Bank, InterAmerican Development Bank and with the GEF and GCF to engage in a series of dialogues on the main findings and proposals to advance sustainable development in the Amazon, and to stimulate financial institutions to adopt science-based social and environmental performance standards to contribute to the sustainable development of the Amazon region. The consultant will develop a strategy for SPA’s engagement with government finance policy makers and financial institutions at the Spring and Autumn meetings of Finance Ministers convened by the IMF and World Bank. The incumbent will prepare presentations for high-level meetings (e.g. with InterAmerican Development, CAF, FEBRABAN). The consultant will support the establishment of partnerships (e.g. with UNEP Financial Initiative) and engage in dialogues with financial institutions at high-level summits and events. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES Work with SPA leadership to direct work on financing Conduct an analysis of supply chains for key commodities in the Amazon Map of key players in supply chains Build a compendium / database of key financial industry stakeholders in the region Develop an engagement strategy for the finance sector Implement the strategy, including key dialogues, meetings, and events QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE 7-10 years of experience working with or researching international finance institutions An advanced university degree (preferably a Ph.D) in biology, ecology, economics, conservation, sustainable development, or related field. Excellent organizational and project leadership skills. Demonstrated track record of effectively leading a performance-based and outcome-based program. Candidates must have developed and executed strategies that have taken an organization or program to the next stage of impact and growth. They must be skilled in developing strategy. Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment. Demonstrated experience managing a high-performance team with a deep commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and empowerment. Ability to adapt technical knowledge and complex concepts to products aimed at policymakers. Strong analytical, quantitative, and empirical research skills; and the ability to link findings to public policy analysis and recommendations. Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, and to meet deadlines and commitments. Excellent interpersonal skills requiring knowing when to use courtesy, tact and/or diplomacy to effectively communicate with all constituents. Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints. Ability to demonstrate integrity in deliverables, behavior, and demeanor. Must be fluent in English and either Portuguese or Spanish. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Location: Remote Travel: None. Contract Length: 6 months, with possibility to renew Benefits: SDSN team members are given the opportunity to follow some of the most thought-provoking discussions on sustainability. In their work, team members get the opportunity to meet and exchange with some of the world’s greatest leaders in sustainable development – professors, economists, bestselling authors, educators, and academics. In addition to this, SDSN team is composed of brilliant, dynamic, sustainable development professionals that come from different countries and backgrounds. With such unique exposure and environment, each member of SDSN can learn and grow while doing the work they love and contribute with a positive impact. Reports to: Emma Torres, Vice President of the Americas SDSN is an Equal Opportunity Employer SDSN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, and physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. APPLICATION PROCESS To apply, please submit a cover letter INCLUDING DAILY RATE OF PAY and a CV on HR Partner at the following link. https://sdsn.hrpartner.io/jobs/finance-consultant--science-panel-for-the-amazon-z2vy5
By Info 15 Apr, 2024
The SDSN has launched an 'Employee Spotlight Campaign' to showcase the passion and expertise of our staff.
By SDSN Secretariat 01 Apr, 2024
Welcome to SDSN's Month Year Newsletter!
By Info 01 Apr, 2024
The SDSN has launched an 'Employee Spotlight Campaign' to showcase the passion and expertise of our staff.
Show More
Share by: