World Food Prize Foundation and University of Illinois Chicago Announce Illinois Youth Institute

Chicago, IL (May 21, 2025) –The World Food Prize Foundation and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) are pleased to announce the creation of the Illinois Youth Institute, as part of the Foundation’s continued expansion of its global Youth Programs.

Over the coming year, the Foundation and UIC will partner to plan a one-day immersive event for Illinois students to explore global food security challenges, engage in hands-on science and discover careers in food and agriculture.

“We are proud to expand our reach to Illinois and thrilled to partner with UIC to engage even more young leaders in the global effort to end hunger,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “With this addition, Youth Institutes are now active in nearly every state across the U.S. Midwest—an important milestone in our mission to inspire the next generation of changemakers in global food security.”

TheWorld Food Prize Foundation Youth Institutes are a flagship component of Foundation programming, designed to provide high school students with unique opportunities to explore diverse career paths and engage in impactful work on critical issues such as agriculture, food security and sustainability. Top students from high schools across the country are invited to attend a Youth Institute hosted by a leading university, where they gain valuable hands-on experience and insights from experts committed to shaping the future of global food systems.

The announcement was made by World Food Prize Foundation Chief Executive Officer Tom Vilsack at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS), a long-time partner of the Foundation.

“The Illinois Youth Institute is an exciting step forward in our mission to inspire and empower the next generation of global leaders,” said Vilsack. “By partnering with UIC, we’re offering Illinois students an unparalleled opportunity to explore the complexities of food security, nutrition and innovation. These young changemakers will leave not just with knowledge, but with the drive to create meaningful, lasting change in the world’s food systems.”

Students selected to participate in a Youth Institute are eligible for selection for the World Food Prize Foundation Global Youth Institute, where they can further deepen their understanding of global food security issues and present their research on a global stage. This creates a powerful pipeline, offering high-achieving students a unique opportunity to engage with experts shaping the future of food and the planet while empowering them to take the next step in becoming change agents for food systems.

In the absence of an Illinois Youth Institute, students from the CHSAS have historically applied “at-large” directly to the Global Youth Institute, and more recently have attended the neighboring Youth Institute in Wisconsin. Since the creation of the Global Youth Institute in 1994, 76 Illinois high school students have participated.

"The creation of the Illinois Youth Institute will certainly hold significant value for all students across Illinois to engage with world leaders to discuss critical global food security issues," said William Hook, CHSAS Principal. "For years, our students have applied directly to the Global Youth Institute or participated in neighboring institutes, but now, with an institute dedicated to Illinois, we can offer even more high school students the chance to get involved in thinking critically about real-world research and solutions on global hunger and food insecurity, build their leadership skills, and provide exposure to careers in food and agriculture."

The announcement also highlights UIC’s commitment to connecting talented students with experts and showcasing academic opportunities that address global food challenges. Through the Illinois Youth Institute, UIC is partnering with the Foundation to create a pipeline for future leaders, providing students a platform to explore pressing issues and pursue careers in agriculture, environmental science and global health. This collaboration strengthens UIC’s role in shaping the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers who will tackle the world’s most urgent challenges.

“Our university is proud to collaborate with the World Food Prize Foundation in launching the Illinois Youth Institute,” said UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda. “We aim to inspire and equip high school students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to the agricultural sector, food security, and sustainability. This initiative embodies our commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders who will help shape a better world. We are excited to see the impact this program will have on Illinois students, their communities, and indeed the world.”

UIC is a natural home for the Illinois Youth Institute. As one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse universities in the nation, UIC offers 94 undergraduate programs and is led by top-tier faculty at a renowned research institution. Located in the heart of Chicago—a global city with deep roots in agriculture and food trade—UIC is positioned at the crossroads of history and innovation in food systems.

About the World Food Prize: The World Food Prize is an international award that honors individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide. The Prize was founded by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, for his work that contributed to increases in agricultural outputs which was termed the Green Revolution. Since then, the Prize has been awarded to 55 distinguished individuals during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The Dialogue, also known as the Borlaug Dialogue, is a week of events dedicated to an issue surrounding food insecurity or hunger each year.

About the University of Illinois Chicago: Located in the heart of one of the world’s great cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is the city’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state’s principal educator of health professionals and its academic health center is a major health care provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from law and business to engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, law and social work, as well as architecture, design and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of one of the world’s greatest cities.

About the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences: The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences proudly celebrates 40 years as the Midwest’s only interdisciplinary college preparatory school offering hands-on agricultural education in an urban environment. Located on 79 acres—39 of which are actively used for farming and animal science—CHSAS combines rigorous academics with real-world experience through six Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways: Agricultural Finance and Economics, Horticulture, Agricultural Mechanics and Technology, Food Science and Technology, Animal Science, and Urban Agricultural Education. With a total enrollment of 823 students, CHSAS serves a diverse population that is 51.4% Black, 23.7% White, 22.8% Hispanic, 0.7% Asian, and 1.4% Other. The school is a CPS Level 1+ institution, a Gold Level School of Opportunity as recognized by the National Education Policy Center, and Magnet Schools of America Certified.