Perisa receiving certificate from 2016 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Howarth Bouis
Congratulations to Walker’s Perisa Ashar (’21-Henrico), who won the Virginia delegate position to represent Vour State at the Global Youth Institute of World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa earlier this month. She presented her research on “South Sudan Food Insecurity: Problems and Solutions” in a roundtable conference to 200 other students from 12 countries, and global leaders such as the 2016 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Howarth Bouis, who pioneered the concept of biofortification of crops to prevent micronutrient malnutrition. Perisa researched the political milieu, climate, and causes of food shortage in South Sudan and possible geopolitical and scientific solutions at the regional and global levels.
Each year, the World Food Prize Youth Institute convenes around World Food Day, October 16, and chosen student delegates present their findings with international experts and their peers, connect with other students from around the world, tour cutting edge industrial and research facilities and take part in symposium discussions with global leaders in science, industry, and policy in order to explore and solve hunger and food security issues.
The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. It was conceived by 1970 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Norman Borlaugh, and strives for the supply of nutritious food to all people, and fight global hunger and starvation, its theme is “Peace Through Agriculture.”
