Lko lass Yugratna shines on UN food advocates’ list
LUCKNOW: The United Nations has named 60 leading advocates to help identify and rally communities towards making global food systems stronger in all regions of the world.
Figuring in the chosen 60, and doing Lucknow proud, is Yugratna Srivastava, 24. The only other Indian to find mention in that list is Bharat Krishak Samaj chairman Ajay Vir Jakhar.
“I’m one among 60 food systems champions that include youth and indigenous peoples’ leaders, smallholder farmers and scientists from across the globe, who will work closely with Agnes Kalibata, special envoy to the UN secretary-general, to kick-start activities in the build up to the UN Food Systems Summit 2021,” said Srivastava.
This chosen group, along with Kalibata, will discuss how to galvanise and build networks to unleash ambitious new actions, innovative solutions, and plans to transform food systems in the local context, she said.
“I am happy to be a part of this group. I feel now there’s more responsibility on me especially in the light of Covid-19 when normal life has been hit in India and across the world,” Srivastava said. The Summit will aim at helping all stakeholders achieve the objectives of the sustainable development agenda in 10 years through a food systems approach, leveraging the interconnectedness of food systems to global challenges such as hunger, climate change, poverty and inequality, she said.
Srivastava, a BTech graduate in electronics and communications from the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Prayagraj, made the headlines when she first addressed the UN General Assembly in 2009 at the age of 13. Since then she has been involved in environmental advocacy.She works in international coordination and policy advocacy for Plant-for-the-Planet, a children and youth-focussed NGO working in the field of environmental conservation.
She also serves as an elected focal point of the Children and Youth Major Group (youth constituency) to the UN Environment Programme; and also works as a staff member of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on strengthening youth engagement.