Ameena Nazreen A S Wins Global Youth Institute Award

Ameena Nazreen A S received a US$500 cash award at the Global Youth Institute on 23 October 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa. The institute was held as part of the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, organised by the World Food Prize Foundation under the theme “Before Hunger Wins”.

Global Youth Institute

The Global Youth Institute brings high school students from different countries together annually in Des Moines to examine food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and agricultural innovation. Participating students present research papers on food-system challenges and engage with international peers.

Seven high school students from India were selected through the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)-YUVA initiative to participate in the 2026 institute. The students presented research papers on food-security challenges and sustainable agricultural systems. Separately, on 14 July 2026, Nagappan N., a Class XII student at Reliance Foundation School in Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai, was selected as one of ten students from India to represent the country at the institute. He was chosen through the NAAS-YUVA Selection Drive.

Food security and sustainable agriculture

Food security exists when all people have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations identifies four dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilisation and stability. Availability concerns food supply, while access includes economic and physical access to food. Utilisation relates to nutrition and food safety, and stability concerns continuity of the other dimensions over time.

Sustainable agriculture seeks to meet present food needs while maintaining the natural resources and productive capacity required for future farming. Agricultural innovation can include improved crop varieties, farming practices and technologies that support food production and resource management.

Agricultural science collaboration

During the symposium, NAAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), USA. The agreement covers collaboration in agricultural research, capacity building and knowledge exchange.

The 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue took place from 20 to 22 October in Des Moines, Iowa. Norman E. Borlaug was an American agronomist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate associated with the Green Revolution.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Global Youth Institute is held annually in Des Moines, Iowa.
• The 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue used the theme “Before Hunger Wins”.
• NAAS stands for the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
• CAST stands for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.

The FAO’s four dimensions of food security are availability, access, utilisation and stability. The NAAS-YUVA initiative selects Indian students for participation in the Global Youth Institute.