The event, streamed live on YouTube, marked the launch of the fourth cohort of the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global ( GCSAYN) internship and mentorship program. It brought together over a thousand interns, institutional leaders, mentors, and international partners from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, all focused on empowering youth and advancing sustainable agriculture and food systems transformation. - You can find the complete event here.
Opening and Housekeeping
The session began with introductions by the organizing team, including Divine, the executive director, Linda (co-chair and program designer from Ghana), and Lara (executive assistant from Indonesia). They outlined the event’s structure, emphasizing that only selected interns and keynote speakers would speak, with all questions and interactions managed via the chat to maintain order and accommodate the large, global audience.
Program Overview and Objectives
The event’s core aim was to foster an exchange framework for interns, enabling collaboration, experience sharing, and skills development. The program targets students, young professionals, researchers, agripreneurs, and institutional leaders, with a special focus on women and youth in agriculture. The event also highlighted the importance of institutional support, such as providing office space for interns and establishing demonstration farms to promote hands-on learning.
Testimonials: Intern Impact and Success Stories
A central feature was the sharing of testimonials from past interns, illustrating the transformative impact of the program:
- Winster (Kenya) described learning about climate-smart agriculture interventions, including soil management, poultry, dairy, and carbon finance, and applying these in practical settings.
- Cindy (Cameroon) and Purity (Kenya) highlighted digital innovations for healthcare and agricultural market access, such as telemedicine platforms and direct-to-consumer farm produce delivery, aligning with national development goals.
- Dennis (Kenya) and Gilbert (UK) spoke about leveraging their internship experiences to participate in international forums and policy work, emphasizing the value of grassroots exposure for effective policy engagement.
- Sydney (Zambia) and Gift (Nigeria, 17 years old) showcased how the program nurtures young leaders, with Sydney integrating climate-smart practices into his work as a plant health inspector and Gift leading youth initiatives in climate action1.
Keynote and Guest Speakers
- Mr. Henry from AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) discussed the Generation Africa initiative, which addresses the employment gap for youth in agriculture by providing mentorship, investment, and policy support. He stressed the necessity of internships as a bridge to employment, urging governments and private sectors to invest in youth capacity-building1.
- Ambassador Hans Hoogeveen (FAO Council Chair, Netherlands) delivered an impassioned address, underscoring the urgency of youth leadership in achieving food security and climate action. He noted the world’s failure to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and called for bold, youth-driven transformation, emphasizing that real change starts with farmers and must be supported by education, resources, and youth empowerment1.
Panel Discussions: Regional and Institutional Perspectives
A diverse panel of institutional leads from Africa, Asia, and North America shared their experiences:
- Dr. Sarada (India) described innovative SDG pavilions and student-led dialogues, encouraging interns to leverage the network for global impact and entrepreneurship.
- Dr. John (Nigeria) and Irene (Kenya) highlighted the importance of practical experience, mentorship, and integrating business skills into agricultural training.
- Alinafi (Malawi) showcased a youth-led agritech company producing affordable irrigation sensors, demonstrating how local innovation can scale regionally and globally1.
Advice and Encouragement for Interns
Speakers repeatedly encouraged interns to:
- Take initiative, collaborate, and view themselves as solution providers.
- Move beyond theory to practical, hands-on experience.
- Focus on personal development, talent discovery, and entrepreneurship rather than solely seeking employment.
- Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and leadership.
Closing and Next Steps
The session concluded with logistical guidance: interns are expected to participate in person at their institutions, complete weekly assignments, and engage in monthly feedback sessions. Organizers stressed the importance of using the GCSAYN online resources, reading past reports, and actively networking within the global community. The overarching message was clear: the program is a launchpad for youth to become agents of change in agriculture and beyond, with the support of a robust international network1.
In summary, the event celebrated youth leadership, showcased impactful alumni, and set a collaborative, action-oriented agenda for the new cohort. It reinforced the vital role of mentorship, practical experience, and innovation in driving sustainable agriculture and food systems transformation worldwide.
