By Kabila Jonathan Obbo
UNAU- Gulu Chapter
I am so privileged to have represented the United Nations Association of Uganda in the Regional Youth Dialogue on Food Systems organized by Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance – Kenya and partners on 11th and 12th August 2021 via zoom. This was with support from the Civil Society Alliance for Nutrition Uganda (CISANU) and Action Against Hunger (ACF) in Uganda and Kenya.
This event was organized under the theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. Global philanthropic organizations, African agricultural organizations and universities participated in the event. It had youth engagement from South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.
The dialogue opened my eyes to issues such as the fact that; everyone has a role to play in ensuring an Act 4 Change and ACT 4 Food. It is not only the policymakers or the UN system.
In addition, I realized that COVID19 has had impacts on Food Systems and SDGs. Though the negative impacts have outweighed the positive impacts and therefore there is a need for all actors to remain resilient and focused on Global Goals.
Also, most importantly, is the fact that Youths and youth-led SMEs have to maximize all the available opportunities in reshaping the Food Systems especially through innovations in agriculture and the food value chain.
In conclusion, there is a need for young people to make agriculture more attractive and also to make local food value chains and local strategic reserves achievable. Youth should also be leading the change and reaping the rewards in food production, food markets and food innovations.
Authored by Kabila Jonathan; he is a member of UNA Uganda Chapter at Gulu University.
Edited by Ms.Asaba Linda; UNAU Programs Manager.
