South Africa Youth Institute

The South Africa Youth Institute is a transformative experience where high school students engage with local leaders and agriculture experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities and explore meaningful ways to make a difference in South Africa and around the world. 

The South Africa Youth Institute is hosted by the Stellenbosch University with the generous support of multiple partners and individuals.

  • Date: June 23-24, 2027
  • Venue: Stellenbosch University Faculty of AgriSciences
  • Registration Opens: November 1, 2026
  • Registration Deadline: February 16, 2027
  • Paper Submission Opens: February 1, 2027
  • Paper Submission Closes: March 16, 2027
  • Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the South Africa Youth Institute, Grade 10 learners research an issue related to food security and write a paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor.
  • Cost: There is no registration cost to participate in the South Africa Youth Institute. The programme will run over 2 days, 23 and 24 June 2027, and learners will be expected to stay in university accommodation over the period. Accommodation and meals will be provided. Limited travel support available, subject to funding. Any teacher / mentor accompanying participants must organize their own transportation to and from the event in South Africa.
  • Required Grade Level of Participants: Grade 10 learners
Student Registration
PAper Submission

For any questions about the South Africa Youth Institute, please contact: Monika Basson at mh@sun.ac.za

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Benefits of Participating

Students who participate in the South Africa Youth Institute earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and become eligible to be invited as a student delegate to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Participating high school students have the opportunity to:

  • Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with leading agriculture experts;
  • Become eligible for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an all expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience for students to work with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers around the world;
  • Connect with other student leaders from across South Africa to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;
  • Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference with organizations based in South Africa;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in South Africa working to improve food security around the world; and
  • Have their research paper evaluated by the World Food Prize Foundation.

How to Participate

The World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Challenge curriculum is designed to empower high school students to explore, analyze and solve the world’s most pressing problems related to global food security, agriculture and sustainability issues.

To participate, a student must write a three to five page research paper on a country and a food security related topic. Each student will then share this research at a World Food Prize Foundation Youth Institute. 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.

Global Challenge Paper Instructions