Rising Stars in Food Security: Announcing the 2024 Global Challenge Awardees

This year, 170 high school delegates from over 20 states and 8 countries attended the World Food Prize Foundation Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. The conference promoted youth efforts to address global food security, agriculture and sustainability issues. 

Throughout the year, these exceptional high school students researched challenges related to food insecurity in a chosen country and presented solutions at regional World Food Prize Foundation Youth Institutes, with top submissions selected to attend the Global Youth Institute as delegates. After being selected, participants revised their papers based on feedback from the World Food Prize Foundation Board of Reviewers. While at the Global Youth Institute, students participated in roundtable discussions, sharing their research findings with peers and distinguished science, industry and policy experts. Delegates took part in the Borlaug Dialogue, a premier international symposium on global food security, where they engaged in dynamic discussions, collaborated with peers from across the world, participated in hands-on immersion activities and gained insights from renowned thought leaders shaping the future of food security.

Since 1994, the Foundation has empowered a global community of youth by providing them with the tools, knowledge and opportunities needed to shape sustainable food systems through innovative and impactful education programs. To date, the Foundation’s Youth Programs have reached nearly 90,000 students worldwide, advancing the Foundation’s mission to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in food and agriculture. 

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Global Youth Institute, the Global Challenge Awards were created to recognize students' exceptional research, writing and innovative ideas to combat food insecurity and inspire change. This year, participants were eligible to receive one of 10 Global Challenge scholarships, which included two awards of $1,000, three of $500 and five of $250.

The 2024 Global Challenge Award Recipients:

Amna Ahmad (NC) – Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Hadley Harvey (IA) – Education in Chad

Isabell Olsasky (IA) – Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam

Ketsia Baributsa (IL) – Waste Colonialism in Ghana

Peggy Chen (NC) – Climate Change in Indonesia

Zane Tickoo (CT) – Education in Brazil

Nirmal Melam (IA) – Climate Change in Ecuador

Neel Chandalia (TX) – Climate Volatility in Chad

Etienne Exantus (NY) – Humanitarian Crisis in Ethiopia

Cherish Galliart (KS) – Malnutrition in Ethiopia

The Global Challenge research essays, written by Global Youth Institute delegates, covered 20 different food security topics in 78 different countries. The most prevalent themes included malnutrition, sustainable agriculture and climate change, highlighting the students' focus on pressing global issues. Brazil, Nigeria, Ethiopia and India emerged as the most frequently researched countries, reflecting their significance in the global food security landscape.

The Foundation Youth Programs seek to develop high school students into innovative leaders, shaping food systems and making a meaningful difference in the world. By introducing the Global Challenge paper, students are empowered to explore, analyze and solve the world’s most pressing problems related to global food security.

“Thanks to the Global Youth Institute, I met so many friends and leaders from all across the globe, all of us united by our common interest in agriculture and shared goal of fighting food insecurity. I got the chance to learn how agriculture applies to space, government, athletics and more! Hearing from prominent figures, including the 2024 Laureates themselves, instilled in me a desire to help the fight against hunger and their stories and solutions inspired me to discover how I can make my mark on agriculture, and the world as a whole.” - Ketsia Baributsa

High school students who are passionate about tackling global food security issues are encouraged to write the Global Challenge paper. Registration for Youth Institutes is now open—the first step toward presenting innovative solutions on a global stage. Learn more about Youth Institutes in your area here, and access resources to help craft a Global Challenge paper on the Foundation’s website. The Foundation believes that elevating young voices is crucial to creating a more food-secure and sustainable world, and we want to hear your solutions. Seize this chance to collaborate with global experts and peers, expand your knowledge and make a lasting impact on the future of food security.