Global Challenge

For whom?

For highschool students between 15 and 19 years old. You can register for this Challenge individually or as a class. Students can collaborate in their research, but submit their Global Challenge essay individually. This may be in Dutch or English.

Masterclasses

The masterclasses consist of three meetings. The kick-off takes place during the first meeting. Students get to know each other, the Global Challenge assignment and do the workshop 'World Food Simulation'.

During the second meeting you meet international students from WUR. The students talk about the country they grew up in, which helps you in choosing a country and doing research. You can also choose a different country than the one offered in the masterclass.
This meeting can also be followed online.

The last meeting consists of the final on the Wageningen Campus. You pitch your essay to experts from the field who have previously assessed your essay. The experts and students ask questions and you will discuss the essays as a group. The final will take place mid-April 2026.

What's it about?

The Global Challenge essay is written in 8 steps. You choose a country, outside the country you live in yourself and research what life is like for a typical family from that country. You choose a topic that is relevant to this country and analyze its impact on food safety. You research solutions and recommendations. With that you write an essay*, you register for the Wageningen Youth Institute and submit your essay. On the final day you can present your essay to experts from the field.

*An AI check is performed on all submitted essays.

The Wageningen Youth Institute finals on Wageningen Campus

After submitting your Global Challenge essay, you will participate in round table sessions with fellow students and experts, such as World Food Prize winners and university professors. At this event, a student will be selected to go to a World Food event in Rome or the United States, at the expense of WUR! You can win a very inspiring trip!

Why participate?

• You can really have an impact and think about a better world.
• You learn skills such as discussing and presenting. Very useful for school and afterwards.
• You meet and advise master students, policy makers, entrepreneurs and scientists.
• You become part of the Wageningen Youth Institute, where you make special friendships and build a network that can be useful in your later career.
• You have a chance to win a trip to the Global Youth Institute in the United States.

Participate in the masterclass Global Challenge 2025-2026

We will soon announce the dates for the 2025-2026 here. Are you sure you want to participate? See below how to already register.

Are you interested in participating in the Global Challenge as a student? Please contact pre.university@wur.nl with the following information:

• Student's name
• School + class
• Student's email address
• School name
• Name of a contact person at school
• Email address of the contact person

Participate with (a part of) the class

Teachers can contact us (pre.university@wur) if they would like to do the Global Challenge with their students.