Learn more about the Youth Ambassador Program.
Youth Ambassadors
Thinking Globally. Acting Locally.
About
ART & INNOVATION
Participate in our annual Youth Arts and Innovation competitions.
LOCAL IMPACT
Learn more about the Youth Ambassadors' local impact guided by AKF’s proven models.
YOUTH FESTIVAL
Join us at our annual Youth Festival hosted by the Youth Ambassadors.
The Youth Ambassador program, which began in Dallas, Texas in 2011, engages high schools students to think globally and act locally. In this volunteer-led program, students research Aga Khan Foundation projects and find ways to implement similar programs in their local communities. They also raise awareness about AKF through arts and innovation competitions and educational presentations. The Youth Ambassadors strive to think globally and act locally.
Annual Arts and Innovation Competition
Arts Competition
The National Youth Visual Art and Spoken Word Competition provides a platform for young artists to explore and express their perspectives and solutions on improving quality of life for all through the universal language of art.
Innovation Competition
The goal of the Innovation Competition is to empower students to research real-world issues faced by local communities and develop a practical, sustainable, and innovative solution for the betterment of their communities.
Learn more about the 2025-2026 National Arts and Innovation Competition
Learn more
2025 Visual Arts Winners
For You
Ameya Kohli
Wylie High School, Wylie, Texas
Clogged
Clement Ruzindana
Mpesa Foundation Academy,Kiambu, Kenya
Self-Liberation
Aysal Hamid
International School Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
More Past Visual Arts Winners
2025 Spoken Word Winners
The Journey of Hope
Aydin Kurani
Carroll Senior High School,
Southlake Texas
Seeds of Hope
Rifa Tharani
Colleyville Heritage High School,
Colleyville Texas
The Code of Creation
Yugarya Goyal
Texas Academy of Mathematics
and Science, Denton, Texas
More Past Spoken Word Winners
2025 Innovation Winners
Dermalyze
Adway Kulkarni, Neelesh Chevuri and Murtaza Haque
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
ManeStream Innovation
Azim Moosa and Ronen Verma
St. Mark's School of Texas, Dallas, TX
Efficacy of the Quick-Heal Medical Tape
Aayan Hasam, Sahan Mallampati, and Viraat Jangaon
Colleyville Heritage High School,
Colleyville, TX
Local Impact
The Youth Ambassadors facilitate local projects in underserved areas drawing inspiration from the Foundation’s proven global models.
They engage with the local community to conduct a needs assessments, implement feasible and sustainable projects, and build partnerships with local vendors and corporations.
Youth Festival
Our annual Youth Festival provides a platform for youth to express their creative visions and solutions through Art and Spoken Word exhibits & Innovation competition booths.
Enjoy food and fun activities whilst learning about the Foundation’s global work and the local initiatives conducted by the youth ambassadors, followed by the Awards Ceremony.
Join us at our next festival in Spring 2026!
