The World Food Prize Foundation has expanded its global youth programming with the establishment of a new Youth Institute in South Africa, hosted at Stellenbosch University. The initiative aims to inspire and equip a new generation of young leaders with the skills and knowledge to address some of the most pressing challenges facing food systems locally and globally.
The South Africa Youth Institute, set to convene on 25 June 2026, will bring together high school students from across the country for an immersive, research-driven experience. Participants will explore critical issues in food security, sustainability, climate resilience and nutrition, engage with academic experts, present research findings to panels of specialists, and collaborate with industry and community partners.
“The South Africa Youth Institute embodies our dedication to nurturing the next generation of changemakers who will tackle the world’s most pressing food challenges,” said Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation. “By engaging young leaders across South Africa, we are planting the seeds for a more resilient, innovative and food-secure future for the entire region.”
The South Africa Youth Institute will focus on helping students develop research skills and solutions-oriented thinking that connect academic inquiry with real food system challenges. Participants will present evidence-based solutions to panels of experts drawn from academia, industry and civil society, gaining insight into careers and opportunities related to agriculture, sustainability and community development.
Francine Barchett, former Youth Representative on the World Food Prize Foundation’s Council of Advisors and co-coordinator of the South Africa Youth Institute, said the programme will be “transformative” for learners, especially those from historically under-resourced communities. She noted that students will have opportunities to both broaden their understanding of food systems and build relationships with peers, mentors and professionals across sectors.
The South Africa Youth Institute marks an important addition to the World Food Prize Foundation’s global Youth Institute network, which now includes 38 institutes worldwide and represents the fourth such programme on the African continent. Each year, Youth Institutes attract more than 1,800 students who share their research and innovative solutions through Global Challenge papers and public presentations.
Students participating in the South Africa Youth Institute will be recognised as Borlaug Scholars, a designation that opens doors to further opportunities within the World Food Prize Foundation’s ecosystem. These include eligibility for advanced leadership programmes, academic development pathways, and prestigious internships such as the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, which places scholars with scientists and policymakers at renowned research institutions.
Lawrence Haddad, a 2018 World Food Prize Laureate and the only laureate born in South Africa, welcomed the new institute at Stellenbosch University, emphasising that food systems leadership can begin at any age and is strengthened when supported by communities and mentors.
The launch of the institute resonates with a broader movement to elevate youth voices in agrifood system transformation across Africa. As the continent faces rapid population growth and evolving climate pressures, empowering young people with the tools to innovate and lead in food security and sustainability has become a strategic priority for governments, universities and international organisations alike.
Photo courtesy / World Food Prize
Article by Jed Mwangi
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