Share

Agenda
 

 
Download the Agenda 
08:30-09:30 Registration and welcome coffee
09:30-10:30

Opening Session

Download the concept note

Empowering women and youth – who together make up 62% of the global population – empowers us all. There are currently 4.6 billion women and youth. And yet, in most places, being young or a woman makes you more likely to be at a disadvantage in terms of health, education or economic opportunities. The international community has a roadmap, enshrined in Agenda 2030, but progress has been slow. The 2018 Global Forum on Development will discuss the way forward for turning the promise of women and youth empowerment into reality.

Keynote speakers

Angel Gurría, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
Opening remarks

Cornelia Richter, Vice-President,  International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Rupert Schlegelmilch, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the European Union to the OECD
Hajer Sharief, Youth Ambassador and Founder, Cordaid and Together We Build it, Libya 

Moderator

Masamichi Kono, Deputy Secretary - General, OECD 



10:30-12:30 Session 1 – The Economic Empowerment of Youth and Women in Developing Countries: Which are the Right Policy Levers?

Download the concept note

The economic empowerment of youth and women is about improving their own lives as well as breaking down barriers that prevent them from making the world a better place for all. Indeed, economies are more resilient, productive and inclusive when they reduce gender inequalities and actively support the equal participation of youth and women in all spheres of life. Specific policies to support young people and women’s economic empowerment are needed, but are not enough. How can they be better linked with other universal economic policies to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030?

Panel discussion

Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Youth Employment, and Civic Engagement of Côte d'Ivoire (MPJEJSC)
Max Trejo, Secretary-General, International Youth Organization for Iberoamerica
Katja Iversen, Chief Executive Officer, Women Deliver
Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Chair OECD, Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
Mónica Aspe, Chair of the Development Centre’s Governing Board, Ambassador of Mexico to the OECD

Moderator

Gabriela Ramos, OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20


12:30-14:00 Lunch


14:00-15:15 Session 2 - Investing in Rural Youth: What are the Priorities?

Download the concept note

For the coming decades, rural youth around the world will continue to grow in numbers, and face the starkest challenges. New research by the OECD stresses that employment is at the heart of their well-being. Rural youth are often under-employed or employed in low productivity sectors. They depend strongly on household-based activities and informality. The massive creation of off-farm, quality jobs for rural youth is thus a necessity. One promising option is to invest more and better in agro-food industries – including production, processing and marketing. Participants will discuss specific challenges rural youth face and what specific solutions are required.

Panel discussion

Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe, Minister of Grassroots Development, Crafts, Youth, and Youth Employment (MDBAJEJ), Togo
Awa Caba, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, SOORETUL, Senegal
David Asiamah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Agro Mindset, Ghana
Hans Jöhr
, Corporate Head of Agriculture, Nestlé
Ibrahima Coulibaly, President, National Coordination of Peasant Organisations, Mali

Moderator

Mario Pezzini, Director of the Development Centre, OECD and Special Advisor to the OECD Secretary General on Development



15:15-15:30 Coffee break


15:45-17:00 Session 3 - Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Fragile and Conflict Affected Contexts

Download the concept note

Nowhere are women at a greater disadvantage than in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. But where women actively participate in peacebuilding and statebuilding processes, the chances for peace and resilience improve. Moreover, such processes can provide opportunities to advance the recognition of women’s rights. As recent OECD research shows, this requires addressing the root causes of gender inequalities, conflict and fragility, and the full range of connections between them. How effective are development partners and how can they improve?

Panel discussion

Her Excellency First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani
Her Royal Highness Princess Abze Djigma, Burkina Faso
Carin Jämtin, Director General, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Kawinzi Muiu, Director for Gender, UN World Food Programme
Noella Muhamiriza, Girl Ambassador for Peace, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, Democratic Republic of Congo

Moderator

Jorge Moreira da Silva, Director of the Development Co-operation Directorate, OECD


17:00-18:00

The Way Forward: Inclusive Agendas for Women and Youth

Building on the conclusions and concrete suggestions of the day, participants in this session will discuss a way forward and agree on key messages for policymakers. 

Panel discussion 

Masamichi Kono, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD
Ahmed Badr, Social entrepreneur and Founder of Narratio, Iraq
Hajer Sharief, Youth Ambassador and Founder, Cordaid and Together We Build it, Libya

Moderator

Clare Woodcraft, Executive Director, Woodcraft Associates Inc. and Former CEO of Emirates Foundation