Global Challenge
In short
Global Challenge- Audience: senior students in secondary education (HAVO/VWO)
- International essay competition
- Register until December 15
- Start date: January 7
- Cost: free of charge
Join the Global Challenge and come up with solutions for the global food crisis! How will we feed 10 billion people in the future in a fair, healthy and sustainable way? That is the central question of the Global Challenge.
What are you going to do?
You won’t be doing this alone; we will guide you step by step in writing your English essay. This is the plan:
- Choose a country and topic You choose a country (not the Netherlands!) and research how a typical family lives there. Next, you select a theme that affects their food security, such as climate change, water shortages, or plant diseases.
- Analyze and advise You investigate the impact of the problem on your chosen country and, more importantly: you come up with innovative solutions. How can this country improve its food system?
- Write your essay (and join our masterclasses) You write down your findings in a short English essay. To help you with this, we organize free masterclasses during the school year (both on campus and online). Here you will get writing tips, meet international students, and dive into current themes.
- The Finale: Pitching in Wageningen Submitted your essay? Then you are working towards the grand finale at the WUR campus! Here you will engage in round-table discussions with university professors, World Food Prize winners, and fellow students.
(Please note: all submitted essays will be checked for plagiarism).
Your ticket to the finale (and perhaps abroad!)
After submitting your Global Challenge essay, you will take part in round-table discussions with fellow students and experts from the field, such as World Food Prize winners and university professors. At this event, two students will be selected to attend a World Food event in Rome or the United States, with all expenses paid by WUR! So you could win a truly inspiring trip!
Why participate?
- Make a real impact by sharing your ideas for a better world.
- Develop valuable skills like debating and presenting, useful for school and beyond.
- Connect with experts: advise policymakers, entrepreneurs, and scientists directly.
- Become part of the Wageningen Youth Institute, where you will form special friendships and build a network that could be very useful in your future career.
- Win an inspiring trip to a World Food event in Rome or the United States.
- Become a Borlaug Scholar with access to exclusive international internships.
Masterclasses 2026/27
Masterclass 1: The Kick-off
We are starting the new year right! On January 7, we officially kick off. During this masterclass (also available online), you will hear all about the competition and our partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation. We will also teach you how to write a strong essay. Joining us live on campus? Then you can directly participate in an interactive workshop afterwards!
Join us in solving the global food problem
What would you do if you were the boss of the world? Help solve the global food crisis by participating in the Wageningen Youth Institute's Global Challenge.
Questions?
Would you like to know more or do you have a question about the Global Challenge? Please send us an email!
Date
12:00 - 16:00