2020 Young Leaders Institute: Food Security

In a world more interconnected than ever before, leaders need to be well-prepared with the right knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to be successful. Asia Society's Young Leaders Institute (YLI) is a week-long summer program for local high school students aimed at promoting global competence as well as leadership skills.

Throughout the week, students will learn about the global policy issues of the day from local experts, then work in teams researching, debating, and presenting solutions for the challenges facing the world. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn new approaches to leadership and practice the different skills demanded of leaders — not only taking initiative but also collaboration, empathy, and overcoming differences. Each program includes an offsite visit for students to capitalize on the international connectivity found right here in Houston.

Students will engage in the four tenets of global competency: investigating the world; recognizing perspectives; communicating ideas; and taking action. They will be mentored throughout the week by Asia Society staff and experts in their respective fields. On the Institute's final day, student groups will present their policy recommendations developed from what they have learned throughout the week.

Since launching in 2016, the Young Leaders Institute has provided new perspectives and strengthened skills for more than 200 students. The Institute's fifth year has broadened each session from a country-specific focus to highlight current, timely issues.

Topics discussed during the Food Security session may include the following (subject to change):

• The role of agriculture and how it impacts trade and food security in Asia and the U.S.
• How agricultural exports to developing countries contribute to food security globally
• Use of pesticides in agriculture and how it affects food safety
• The impact of climate change on access to food now and in the future, particularly in Asia
• The role of Asia's growing population in affecting food security
• Health and family impacts of food insecurity
• How different diets, such as eating meat, affect the environment
• Asia's economic development and its relationship to food security
• How food shortages in China have affected the agricultural industry and policies related to food
• Improving food access and food education locally versus nationally or globally
• Collaboration between countries to develop a more sound food security global policyDesigned to prepare high school students for leadership roles in an increasingly interconnected world, this session will examine the relationship between the world's two largest economies.

Speakers will be announced soon. For questions, please contact Mei Qi, Business and Policy Programs Manager, at MQi@AsiaSociety.org or 713.496.9915.

Testimonials

"What I realized was, these are all students [who] have a similar interest as you, which is why they're in the same session as you are. And really everybody around you is really invested into helping you grow as both a person and a student." — Tina Li, Carnegie Vanguard High School, 2019 YLI alumna

"No matter what job you choose to have or what you choose to major in college, leadership skills and collaboration skills are necessary in all areas of life. So whether you choose to become a political science major and work with other countries, or if you choose to do something in the U.S., the skills that you've learned from [YLI] will doubtlessly help you." — Pranav Brahmbhatt, Challenge Early College High School, 2019 YLI alumnus

"The Young Leaders Institute offered me the opportunity to work with people of different backgrounds, from different schools and different grade levels. These people taught me how to look at different perspectives, especially since they all had their own information." — James Li, Bellaire High School, 2019 YLI alumnus

"I came in expecting to learn from my peers. I left not only having done that but also having learned from prestigious individuals in this field that I would never have had a chance to meet otherwise." — Chloe Jin, The Woodlands High School, 2019 YLI alumna

"For me as a leader, this actually gave me the tools to use in my own personal projects that I'm doing right now. The Young Leaders Institute really empowered me on multiple planes, and really helped me become a better person in a number of different ways. [...] If anyone ever wanted to join the Young Leaders Institute, I would tell them that they have the right idea and they should definitely go ahead and do it because they are going to gain so much out of it. And there's really no better place to be over the summer than here at the Asia Society." — Norah Rami, Clements High School, 2019 YLI alumna

"I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the presentations, and all three of us remarked at how impressed we were with the quality of information dissemination on very specific topics in such a short timeframe. I think this is a signature series for Asia Society Texas Center and one that should only gain traction in summers to come." — 2019 YLI presentation judge

"I felt proud about the fact that Asia Society Texas Center is engaged in encouraging high school students to develop necessary leadership skills to face the real world. This is particularly true recognizing that they are going to be our future leaders." — 2019 YLI presentation judge

Speaker information will be announced.

Additional Sessions

Session 1: U.S.–China Relations
Monday – Friday, June 15–19, 2020
Examine the relationship between the world's two largest economies, including areas of partnership and mutual understanding, as well as the ongoing trade negotiations and disputes.

Session 2: Energy and the Environment
Monday – Friday, July 13–17, 2020
Learn about the business of energy and growing demand in Asia, including the future of renewable fuels and intersections with sustainability goals in light of environmental and climate change concerns.

Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas Center are made possible through generous funding from BP America and the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Friends of Asia Society Texas Center, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in exhibitions and public programming to Houston.

Presenting Sponsors