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.
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.
2026 Visual Arts Winners
Future Reflected
Ethan Han
Sunny Hills High School, Fullerton, CA
My name is...
Darisu Badlueva
Tottenville High School, Staten Island, NY
Learning to Float
Meghana Akarapu
Uplift North Hills Preparatory, Irving, TX
More Past Visual Arts Winners
2026 Spoken Word Winners
Hope Isn’t Always a Four Letter Word
Charvi Neelegowda
Plano Senior High School, Plano, TX
Out of Sync With the Clock
Noah Kurji
The Episcopal School of Dallas, Dallas, TX
Moving Forward, One Step at a Time
Zamir Hassan
Hebron High School, Carrollton, TX
More Past Spoken Word Winners
2026 Innovation Winners
Canvas for Change
Farhan Khalid, Ashaz Hussain, Ohas Gudur, and Ali-Hamzah Ahmed
Uplift North Hills Preparatory School, Irving, TX & Westlake Academy, Westlake, TX
AquaFuse
Kayla Hyun and Asmayt Michael
Colleyville Heritage High School, Colleyville, TX
Open Closet Dallas
Aahil Gaziyani, Charlie Fahr, Noah Kurji, and Zamir Hassan
The Episcopal School of Dallas, Dallas, TX; Hebron High School, Carrollton, TX; Coppell High School, Coppell, 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.
