Wisconsin Students Champion Global Food Security at International Symposium
Three high school students from Wisconsin recently returned from the Global Youth Institute (GYI) held in Des Moines, Iowa, from October 29 to November 1. This event was part of the annual World Food Prize International Symposium, bringing together young leaders, educators, and policymakers to address global hunger and poverty issues.
Among the delegates was Riya Kalluvila from Hartford Union High School, whose presentation focused on malnutrition in Yemen. “The most special part about this experience is that it helps you truly understand that the world is bigger than just your community or state,” she noted, expressing gratitude for the friendships formed during the event. Alongside Kalluvila, Hannah Lee from Middleton High School and Kai Mavity Maddalena from Étude High School represented Wisconsin.
The delegates were chosen following the Wisconsin Youth Institute (WYI) event in April, hosted by the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). During this event, students researched global food security challenges, presented their findings, and participated in discussions with peers and faculty. Out of 50 participants, only three were selected to attend the GYI.
Educators who accompany students on the trip benefit from professional development opportunities, while students gain access to internships and fellowships. Kalluvila, a repeat attendee of the WYI, was recently awarded the Borlaug Ruan International Internship, allowing her to conduct plant research in Hyderabad, India. “This experience deepened my understanding of environmental challenges and fueled my passion for sustainable solutions,” she shared.
The trip was coordinated by Kara Henderlight, student outreach coordinator for UW–Madison CALS. For additional details, visit the Wisconsin Youth Institute web page or contact Henderlight directly.
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Photo credit news.cals.wisc.edu
