The launch of the Young Professionals’ platform for Agricultural Research for Development (YPARD) during the GFAR 2006 Conference was attended by more than 100 people. The event was chaired by  Ola Smith (Executive Secretary, GFAR). The need for YPARD was demonstrated by Lennart Page (Head of the External Relations in Uppsala, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) who underlined the fact that key issues, like sustainable use of natural resources, were of greater concerns to young professionals who will have to live with decisions taken today for the next 50 years. Further, YPARD may help in reversing the current trend of young people dwindling interest in agricultural research. Also, young professionals are more likely to cross disciplinary borders which can result in more innovative approaches and YPARD can encourage them down that road. Finally, young professionals, often more up-to-date about the realities of ARD problems as they produce a large part of the work that seniors later report, are rarely able to participate in meetings; it is hoped that YPARD can help change that. Moreover, a video illustrating support for the organization by several stakeholders and professionals was showed.

YPARD will serve as a global platform through which young professionals can express their ideas and realise their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development. The objectives are to facilitate the exchange of information among young professionals and the access to capacity building opportunities, to broaden opportunities for young professionals to participate to strategic ARD debates, and to promote agriculture among young people. The website (www.ypard.org) was launched, with a user-friendly interface to become member, and the members of the steering committee and of the senior advisory committee were presented. The registration offers a facility to post resume and exchange ideas about ARD, as well as network among young professionals. Finally, the commitment tree filled by participants was an interactive and symbolic way to demonstrate support by ARD stakeholders to the YPARD initiative.