By Andi Anderson
The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute (GYI) is an international program that empowers high school students to explore solutions to global food security challenges.
Held each October in Des Moines, Iowa, the three-day academic conference runs alongside the World Food Prize International Symposium, also known as the Borlaug Dialogue. Since beginning in 1994, the program has welcomed nearly 4,000 students from across the United States and around the world.
Students qualify for the Global Youth Institute by participating in a state or national Youth Institute, such as the World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute.
They must write a three- to five-page research paper on a global food security issue and be selected as delegates based on their work. This process encourages young people to think critically, propose solutions, and understand the systems that influence global hunger.
At the event, students present their research in roundtable discussions led by global experts in science, policy, and industry. They also have the unique opportunity to network with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates, international leaders, and peers from a wide range of countries.
Immersive learning continues through agricultural site visits, hands-on activities, and attendance at the Borlaug Dialogue, a global forum featuring more than 1,000 leaders from 65 nations.
Participation in the GYI comes with multiple benefits. Student papers are published in the official conference proceedings, and participants are recognized as Borlaug Scholars.
Students also learn about career opportunities in agriculture, food systems, science, and international development.
Many apply for prestigious programs such as the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an eight-week research placement at global research centers, and the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship, which offers opportunities within U.S. government agencies.
The GYI also helps students build important skills, including critical thinking, research, communication, leadership, and cultural understanding. It exposes them to careers in areas such as agronomy, biotechnology, environmental sustainability, policy development, extension education, agribusiness, and agricultural technology.
Students interested in beginning this journey can explore the World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute, held in early May. MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development provide additional resources and support for youth career exploration and workforce readiness.
Photo Credit: pexels-julia-m-cameron
Categories: Michigan, General