A compilation of selected entries from the 2020 Africa Conference youth writing contest. 44 pages / 2004 / ISBN 0-89629-726-8

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Statistical reports on hunger in Africa often give the dismal facts with stark clarity, but to understand the sheer misery for each hungry child or family, you must read between the lines. This booklet offers a completely different lens on the tragedy of hunger and malnutrition in Africa. Here, with concern, compassion, and even wit, young Africans share a human perspective on these sad realities, voice their confidence that hunger in Africa canbe overcome, and utter a collective demand for action.

The poems, stories, and essays in this booklet are selected entries from an Africawide youth writing contest on the theme "A Full Food Basket for Africa by 2020." Sponsored by IFPRI’s 2020 Vision Initiative, the contest was organized in preparation for the all-Africa conference "Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020: Prioritizing Actions, Strengthening Actors, and Facilitating Partnerships," in Kampala, Uganda, on April 1–3, 2004.

The contest announcement generated an overwhelming response. More than 200 young people from about two dozen countries from Morocco to South Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, sent in entries expressing their analysis, insights, and hopes. This booklet seeks to deliver their messages to the African leaders in government, civil society, and business at the Kampala conference, as well as others throughout the world.

This contest builds on the earlier success of a youth essay and poster competition associated with IFPRI’s 2001 conference “Sustainable Food Security for All by 2020” in Bonn, Germany. The enthusiastic responses of both entrants and readers to that contest convinced us that the passionate voices of youth on this topic deserve to be heard, and the results of this African contest only confirm our view.

We thank the young people who took part in the competition, as well as the ministries, teachers, nongovernmental organizations, and other collaborators working with youth who encouraged them to think about issues of food and nutrition and enter the competition. We are grateful to the panel of judges who read the entries and selected these finalists, as well as to IFPRI colleagues Uday Mohan and Heidi Fritschel for their support. We extend special thanks to Jenna Kryszczun for coordinating this contest—her enthusiasm and dedication in reaching out to African youth helped to make it a success.