YPARD - Young Professionals' Platform for Agricultural Research for Development

YPARD

YPARD is an international movement by Young Professionals FOR Young Professionals in Agricultural Research for Development. YPARD operates as a network; it is not a formalized institution.

At the heart of YPARD as a movement are its members, who are encouraged to become active in their area, spread the news about YPARD to other young professionals, encourage a stronger voice of youth in their own organizations and share their views and ideas with other young professionals in the network.

This global on-line and off-line communication and discussion platform is meant to enable YPs all over the world to express their ideas and realize their full potential towards a dynamic ARD.

Vision

Sustainably improved livelihoods, worldwide, through dynamic agricultural research for development (ARD)

Mission

To serve as a global platform through which young professionals can express their ideas and realise their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development.

Objectives

• Facilitate exchange of information and knowledge among young professionals across disciplines, professions, age and regions
• Broaden opportunities for YPs to contribute to strategic ARD policy debates
• To promote agriculture among young people (activities still under discussion)
• Facilitate access to resources and capacity building opportunities

Background

• April 2005, EFARD in Zurich, Switzerland:  a small group of young scientists observes that an important policy debate was taking place, but with very little involvement of young scientists and decides to take action
• July 2005, Rome, Italy: meeting between the group of young professionals and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR), Bioversity International and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
• December 2005, Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Marrakech, Morocco : side event - roundtable with the topic: “How to Increase Young People's Involvement in Agricultural Research for Development (ARD)?”
• March-June 2006, Bern, Switzerland:  meeting with SDC; initial funding proposal discussed and signed.
• May-July 2006, Wageningen, The Netherlands & Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany: formulation of the vision, mission, objectives, governance structure and short and long-term activities for the platform and preparations for the official launch of YPARD.
• 8th of November 2006, triennial conference of the GFAR, in New Delhi, India:  the Young Professional’s Platform for Agricultural Research for Development is officially launched during a side event
• October 2008: YPARD Charter validated by the official Steering Comittee

more