The International Youth Day is observed annually every 12 August. As the theme posits, “transforming food systems: youth innovation for human and planetary health”, we salute all the dedicated youths who have champion the cause of improving food productions through meaningful innovations. From the angle of the disabled communities, Inclusive Friends Association accolades and echoes our hearty cheers to our young person with disabilities (PWDs) making the difference.
The theme compels the need for inclusive support mechanisms that will ensure youth continue to amplify efforts to restore the planet and protect life. Need be emphasized on the frequent marginalized status and exclusion of the disabled people from society and mainstream development programs.
A demographic trajectory indicates that the world population will increase by 2billion in the next 30 years. This signals the need for the large volume production of healthier food for planetary wellbeing. While crucial challenges such as poverty reduction, food crisis, banditry, social inclusion, health care, biodiversity conversion, and climate change mitigation, comes to the front burner, the consciousness of inclusivity of PWDs should be considered at the solution table.
The glaring reality is that many young erudite PWDs lack assistive devices and the means to participate in education and training programs for independent living and contribution to the development process including food production.
We call on the relevant stakeholders to arrest the incessant insecurity issues which pose threats to experiencing food crises across the country. Also, we solicit unflinching support to all young PWDs making strides to sustain the planet in food production.
