Marina Cherbonnier presented the young professionals platform for Agricultural R4D, an international movement of young professionals under 40 who are active in agricultural development. The platform networks a number of regional offices and country representatives. The rational behind YPARD is that youth need to get involved, to access professional opportunities and to be given a collective voice in agricultural development. Objectives of the platform include the exchange of information and connection people, contributing to strategic ARD policy debates, the promotion of agriculture among young people and facilitating access to resources and capacity building opportunities. The disenfranchisement of youth in the dry areas is primarily due to a lack of political power and decision-making, poor access to finance and markets, unsupportive institutions and policies, and the absence of social equality. Dryland Systems will focus on youth because youth migration and unemployment are key challenges in dry areas and youth retention and positive community contribution in rural areas are a means to meet those challenges. Strengthening youths ability to learn and make decisions based on adequately contextualized knowledge and the development of leadership skills to overcome the complexity of dryland systems in its whole are key strategies for youth empowerment. A youth component will be a part of every SRT within Dryland Systems. SRT1 will include youth as an explicit stakeholder in the innovation platform. SRT 2 will address youths’ specific vulnerabilities and risks. SRT 3 will build capacity and employment of youth through entrepreneurship and innovation. SRT 4 will enhance cross regional cross-regional information sharing via ICT4D.