On October 16th, Genesis (Nigeria), Hajar (Morocco), Jermaya (Egypt), and Aliyu (Nigeria) joined students from across the U.S. and world to participate in the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute. They then spent three days in downtown Des Moines, IA presenting research on food security issues, rubbing elbows with Nobel Prize winners, and packing meals for Ebola victims in Liberia.

Weeks before the event, IRIS’s YES students were asked to draft research papers addressing worldwide agricultural topics. Hajar and Jermaya covered issues concerning water scarcity. Aliyu discussed food transportation and stability, and Genesis tackled malnutrition.

The World Food Prize is an international award given to individuals who have made huge strides to increase global food security. This year’s award was presented to Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram from India for his outstanding wheat research in Mexico. The World Food Prize Foundation hosts the Global Youth Institute, which is a multi-event weekend where student leaders contribute to the global conversation about food security.

The weekend was jam-packed with learning experiences and new opportunities for Hajar, Jermaya, Genesis, and Aliyu. The first night the group toured the Hall of Laureates. Genesis reflected on the evening, saying, “I loved everything. It was all so neat.”

Later the group heard Senator Tom Harkin speak. Harkin addressed the need for an increase in global education. Following that, the students attended panel discussions on water, agriculture, and food security led by industry leaders. After that, they helped package meals that will be sent to Liberia to aid in the Ebola epidemic.

That night, all of the students attended the Oxfam Hunger Banquet. Participants were randomly divided into socioeconomic classes and provided a meal that mimicked what someone in that class would eat. Hajar and IRIS’s program assistant, Mary Hallman, were sent to the low-class group and ate out of a bowl of communal rice.  Genesis, Jermaya, and Aliyu were assigned to the middle class and got a bowl of beans and rice with some bread. A small percentage of participants were assigned to the upper class and enjoyed a four course meal. The banquet’s goal was to tangibly show income inequality and its effects on the world’s nutrition.

On Saturday, the students presented their research topics to small groups and answered questions about their research from other students and industry leaders. Experts, such as business professionals, college professors, and researchers, facilitated the discussions. Hajar loved meeting new people and discussing work and life with them. The YES students also met with other students from around the world and nation. For Jermaya, a highlight of his weekend was meeting other Egyptians.

As the weekend concluded, IRIS’s four YES students were exhausted in the best way possible.

“This whole experience was great,” Aliyu concluded.