The 2026 Next Generation Institute (NGI), led by Dr. Francis Owusu, Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, along with Catherine Swoboda, Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Horticulture, was held from March 14 to March 23 at the Mpirigiti Rural Training Center in Kamuli, Uganda.
Sixteen participants, including advanced students and early-career NGO professionals from Africa, Europe, and the United States, engaged in an intensive curriculum focused on sustainable rural development. Among the participants were two undergraduate students and two graduate students from Iowa State University.
Key activities at the NGI included attending lectures by development experts, visiting impactful programs established by the Iowa State University-Uganda Program (ISU-UP), gaining experience in high-performing teams, and completing a project design under the guidance of ISU-UP staff and Iowa State University faculty.
Through their engagement with the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL) and its 20 years of experience managing sustainable rural livelihoods programs in Kamuli, participants gained valuable insights, tools, and strategies for designing and implementing sustainable solutions to address the pressing needs of communities. They can apply these learnings to their own work and initiatives.
Participant feedback highlighted that the NGI was a valuable and inspiring learning experience. One participant shared, “This has shown me that change is possible, I can be a champion of change.” Another participant who has worked in development projects reflected, “Sustainable livelihoods was the key take-home message for me. I have worked in several programs that don’t last for more than three years. Now I know, if I want something to last, the community must own it.” An ISU student shared, “Everything here has been a building block for me and has shown me that I am in the right field in agriculture. I can see how agricultural education and effective communications can impact a community."