High school students tackles global food security challenges through SLU Youth Institute

Students from schools in Uppsala, Skåne and Umeå spent the year working on so-called Global Challenge essays, analysing current global issues and proposing possible solutions connected to the future of food production and food security.

The first roundtable discussions were held at SLU’s campus in Uppsala, where students presented their work to experts and participated in discussions about sustainable cultivation and the future of agriculture. The visit also gave participants the opportunity to learn more about SLU’s academic programmes and student life, including a presentation by Ultuna Permaculture, a student driven initiative focusing on small scale plant production.

The initiative then continued at SLU’s campus in Alnarp, where more than one hundred high school students from Landskrona, Malmö and Lund participated. In addition to presentations and discussions, students joined guided tours of Alnarp’s Farm and the Plant Protein Factory. Landscape architecture students showcased the studios, while student unions introduced visitors to SLU’s educational opportunities and student life. The day was marked by enthusiasm, curiosity and valuable new insights into sustainable food systems.

The final roundtable discussion took place in Umeå, where students from Hjalmar Strömerskolan, Tannbergsskolan and Liljaskolan presented their essays and visited the Röbäcksdalen research station to learn more about research on sustainable food production.

The initiative is organised by SLU Youth Institute in collaboration with the World Food Prize Foundation. Its aim is to increase young people’s understanding of global challenges and inspire the next generation to contribute to sustainable solutions for the future of global food systems.