African youth delegates from 47 countries attended the First Thousand African Youth Summit on Food Systems and Agroecology in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this October. More than 300 young people attended in person and more than 1,000 participants took part virtually.
Together, they deepened their understanding of agroecology’s transformative power in building food sovereignty across the African continent and renewed their commitment to being part of a growing movement for people-powered food sovereignty.
In a statement following the summit, the young people said, “The current food system is failing both our generation and our continent. With our expertise, passion, and commitment to Africa’s vibrant and diverse culture, we are driving forward solutions for a dignified food system that serves both present and future generations, placing agroecological and farmer-driven solutions at the forefront. We call on governments and businesses to join us in taking bold and decisive action.”
Young people make up 60 per cent of the continent’s population, and through a declaration they affirmed a commitment to urgently address the challenges threatening the future of African food systems and sovereignty. In their declaration the young people said, “We declare our firm dedication to advocating for an inclusive transition to agroecology as the solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis, deterioration of health, cultural erosion, disregard to the right to food, rising food prices, and ongoing conflicts in Africa.”
They said, “Agroecology offers a sustainable agricultural practice and resists an economic system that prioritises profit over people. By embracing agroecology, we can build a healthy, just, and culturally appropriate food system that respects our heritage and preserves our values. Through this Youth Declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a better food future and call for bold leadership from governments.”
Commitments made by African youths at the summit:
- Showcase agroecological opportunities and capabilities in adapting to the climate crisis to address the challenges facing Africa’s food systems.
- Harness the energy of youth to promote agroecology and amplify youth innovation by building a network of stakeholders in agroecology and food systems.
- Advocate for nutritious, healthy, and sustainable diets in Africa and work to end hunger in Africa once and for all.
- Be part of African social movements that ensure social justice, defend the dignity of our people, and advocate for peace and against war everywhere in Africa and the world.
- Reaffirm our commitment to advocate for ecological justice, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and just climate action in Africa through agroecology.
- Stay loyal and remain rooted in African indigenous food traditions, cultural value systems, and traditional ecological knowledge, seeking the wisdom and guidance of our African elders.
- Recognise the potential of new technologies in advancing sustainable and healthy life in Africa, while aware of false solutions and the corporate takeover of African food systems through inappropriate technologies.
- We commit to ensuring gender-conscious mainstreaming through agroecology, empowering women and youth in all aspects of sustainable food systems and advancing gender equality across Africa.
The African young people said they will:
- Advocate for a shift to agroecology across Africa’s food systems, ensuring sustainable resource management, local value addition, and equitable access to healthy, culturally appropriate food.
- Demand increased investment in agroecology, supporting small-scale farmers and fostering youth-driven agroecological entrepreneurship for a resilient food system.
- Include agroecology as central to the CAADP Kampala Declaration: We strongly call for the inclusion of agroecology as a core strategy in the Kampala Declaration to safeguard African biodiversity, improve nutrition and health, enhance soil health, increase resilience to climate and other crisis, and strengthen local food systems.
- Ensure equitable access to land, water, energy, and vital resources for youth, small producers, and entrepreneurs to drive agroecological innovation.
- Facilitate digital inclusion for youth in agroecology, providing access to technologies and training for sustainable development.
- Safeguard land rights for youth, especially women, indigenous, and marginalised groups, ensuring fair access to resources for entrepreneurial growth.
- Strengthen political dialogue with youth to promote agroecology and sustainable food systems.
- Empower young researchers and entrepreneurs by providing opportunities to implement agroecological solutions on the ground.
- Support youth-led innovations in agroecology to boost local markets and drive sustainable economic growth.
- Promote agroecology as a just climate action to enable climate change adaptation and mitigation across Africa.
- Advocate for farmer-managed seed systems to defend the rights of smallholder farmers to their seeds, and conserve seed diversity, which is the bedrock of our food systems, culture, and resilience.
- Champion human rights, conflict resolution, and social justice, advocating for peace and against war everywhere in Africa and the world.
- Foster intergenerational learning, seeking the wisdom of our ancestors and preserving traditional ecological knowledge and values.
The declaration concluded that, “Transforming Africa’s food systems requires bold action and the collective effort of all stakeholders. We, the African youth, are at the forefront of this movement, committed to agroecology as the path toward sustainable, just, and resilient food systems. Our leadership and engagement are critical to ensuring food sovereignty, climate resilience, and a healthy future for all. By empowering youth, fostering innovation, and embracing traditional ecological knowledge, we can build a future where food systems are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with the values of our people and the needs of our continent.”
They said, “The time to act is now. Together, we call on our people, governments, businesses, and global leaders to join us in this fight for the future of Africa’s food systems, driven by agroecology and powered by the passion and vision of its youth.”