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WFPF Virtual Youth Institute

WFPF Virtual Youth Institute

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Do you have a passion for global food security?

The WFPF Virtual Youth Institute is a virtual experience hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation where high school students across the world engage with leaders and experts on critical global challenges, participate in activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in their own communities and around the world.

Why participate in the WFPF Virtual Youth Institute?

Students who participate in the WFPF Virtual Youth Institute earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and have the opportunity to:

  • Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with global food security experts;
  • Connect with other student leaders to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;
  • Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference in the world; and
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs working to end hunger and poverty and improve food security around the world.


How it works:

Two selected students will research global issues they care about, and propose their ideas to solve these grand challenges in a five-page essay under the supervision of a teacher or mentor and with support from AITC-SK. The students will attend the WFPF Virtual Youth Institute on May 31, 2023 where their papers will be evaluated by The World Food Prize Board of Reviewers and thoughtful, personalized feedback will be provided to each student.

The students will have the opportunity to be selected as delegates to attend the Global Youth Institute held every October in Des Moines, Iowa. The Global Youth Institute is an exciting three-day program where young leaders interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and the more than 1,000 global leaders from 65 countries attending. All expenses will be reimbursed for the mentor and student thanks to the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

How to apply: 

Students currently in Grades 9 to 12 are invited to apply. Apply by completing the application form below by March 15, 2023. AITC-SK will review applications and select two students to write papers and represent Saskatchewan at the WFPF Virtual Youth Institute. 

Resources to help you prepare for applying:

VYI Application Prep - information and questions for applying.

VYI Research Handbook - support for research paper.

VYI Poster - print and share with students!

Important Dates:

March 15, 2023 - Deadline to apply
March 20, 2023 - Students will be notified, and the two selected students will begin researching and writing their paper
April 17, 2023 - Deadline to submit paper to WFPF, with support from AITC-SK
May 31, 2023 - Attend the WFPF Virtual Youth Institute 

Please contact Greg at littlegreenthumbs@aitc.sk.ca with any questions.