In Dakar, Senegal, the Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal (CJRS) hosted the second edition of the initiative “Face aux reporters” on 17 October 2025, welcoming Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, Subregional Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for West Africa and FAO Representative in Senegal. The intergenerational meeting gathered journalists, development practitioners, institutional representatives, and civil society members to discuss practical solutions for strengthening food sovereignty, reducing malnutrition, and promoting sustainable and inclusive local production.
Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya highlighted the vital role of young journalists in raising awareness and disseminating reliable information on food security and sustainable development. She emphasized that food sovereignty is central to Senegal’s Vision 2050, which seeks to ensure access to sufficient and healthy food for all citizens. Supporting smallholder farmers through improved access to digital tools and training opportunities was underscored as essential to building a resilient food system.
FAO’s priorities for Senegal and West Africa were outlined, including the promotion of agroecology, sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening local value chains, combating malnutrition, and empowering rural youth. Programs such as SAGA, FISH4ACP, SD3C, SSA, and initiatives under the Great Green Wall, including SURAGGWA and PAREC-CC/GMV, were highlighted as part of FAO’s ongoing efforts to support sustainable agriculture and rural development in the region.
Looking ahead, FAO and CJRS expressed their intent to establish a strategic partnership focused on enhancing communication in support of rural development and food security. The collaboration aims to build journalists’ capacities in agricultural and environmental reporting, promote good agricultural practices, ensure inclusive media coverage in rural areas, and conduct awareness campaigns in local languages.
CJRS President Mamadou Diagne welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing that it would help highlight initiatives promoting agriculture, rural development, and local entrepreneurship, bringing crucial information closer to citizens. Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya stressed that collective action and collaboration are key to creating a sustainable food future, given the complexity of agrifood systems.
Founded in 2004, CJRS is a national organization supporting and training young journalists, currently with over 2,000 active members, and committed to ethical, professional, and civic journalism through training, competitions, forums, and advocacy initiatives. FAO, present in more than 130 countries, works globally to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and support governments and local actors in transforming agrifood systems and ensuring access to healthy food for all.
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