On May 17, 2023, the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) marked a significant milestone with the official launch of its Virtual Academy. This event, hosted online and attended by representatives from over 70 centers of excellence spanning primary, secondary, tertiary, and university levels worldwide, showcased a powerful commitment to advancing sustainable development and climate-smart agriculture through digital education.
A Vision for Sustainable Impact
The Virtual Academy launch builds on last year’s establishment of the GCSAYN Academy, taking a decisive step towards sustainability and greater impact in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The move to a digital platform was inspired by the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need to shift from analog to digital solutions and leverage technology to bridge educational gaps, especially for young people and marginalized groups.
Divine Ntiokam, founder and executive director of GCSAYN, opened the proceedings by emphasizing the Academy’s mission: to make quality education accessible, inclusive, and impactful. He underscored the importance of empowering youth, women, persons with disabilities, and refugees, ensuring that no one is left behind as the world works toward the SDGs.
Global Support and High-Level Endorsements
The event featured keynote remarks from ambassadors and senior officials representing France, the Netherlands, and Rome-based UN agencies, as well as leaders from WHO, UN-Habitat, UNESCO, and the UNFCCC. These dignitaries praised GCSAYN’s efforts as timely and relevant, given the worsening challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and global conflict.
Ambassador Hans from the Netherlands highlighted the acute food crisis facing the world, with over one billion people projected to experience hunger this year. He stressed the need for transformative change, not only through policy but also through practical, local action—something the Virtual Academy is uniquely positioned to foster. “We need you for our future, not only for your future,” he told the youth participants, calling for investment in training, technology transfer, and sustainable food systems.
A Collaborative, Multi-Stakeholder Approach
The launch event brought together university vice-chancellors, academic leaders, UN officials, and youth representatives from Africa, Asia, and beyond. Speakers shared their institutions’ commitments to integrating climate-smart curricula, promoting research, and engaging communities in climate action. The Academy’s e-learning platform, built on Moodle technology, was demonstrated as a flexible, interactive space for sharing resources, conducting training, and building a global community of practice.
Flagship leads and interns from various regions described ongoing projects, including youth coding workshops, agribusiness training, climate information services, and women’s empowerment initiatives. The Academy’s reach extends from research universities to grassroots organizations, ensuring that knowledge and innovation flow in all directions.
Looking Ahead: Action and Accountability
As the event concluded, participants were reminded of key upcoming milestones, including the UN Food Systems Summit stocktaking in Rome, the SDG Summit in September, and ongoing dialogues at the national and regional levels. The Virtual Academy is set to play a central role in preparing youth and women to participate meaningfully in these global processes, sharing best practices and scaling up solutions.
The launch of the GCSAYN Virtual Academy stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, digital innovation, and youth leadership in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. As one speaker aptly summarized, “Excellence is everywhere—at the grassroots, in academia, and in our communities. Together, we can transform our food systems and secure a sustainable future for all.”
