Deadline: 29 February 2020
The World Bank Group and the Zicklin Center at Wharton have announced the 2020 Ideas for Action (I4A) competition, which engages young people (18-35 years old) to develop innovative solutions in support of the implementation of the SDGs.
Ideas for Action provides students and young professionals from around the world with a unique opportunity to help shape the international development agenda and to take an active role in changing the world. A joint program of the World Bank Group and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the Wharton School, Ideas for Action is a knowledge platform connecting young leaders all around the world who are passionate about the future development of our world.
They host an annual competition during which youths from around the world design ideas for financing the UN’s new development agenda. The competition acts as a catalyst to spark global conversation among millenials and seeks to encourage them to contribute their own voice to the development conversation.
On September 25, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a new set of global development goals. All member countries are now using these objectives to frame their development agendas and political policies over the next 15 years.
Youth engagement throughout the design and implementation of the SDGs is critical for their success. The innovative and fresh ideas it takes to tackle the new challenges the world faces will most likely come from the youth.
Innovative Ideas: Developing innovative ideas that positively shape both the policy and business ecosystem, thus providing an enabling environment where novel ideas can flourish and a too narrow focus on “business plans” can be avoided.
Policy-Making: Influencing leading development, public policy, and business leaders so that they can make more informed decisions that also reflect the inspiration and dedication of young people and their leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
Implementation: They strive to move from innovative ideas to actionable solutions. They seek to develop scalable partnership models in the fields of entrepreneurship, finance, development economics, technology, health, education, and environment.
Community: Providing young leaders from around the world with access to knowledge, networking opportunities, mentorship, opportunities to connect with like minded youths, a dedicated incubator, and potential financing opportunities.
A List of Sustainable Development Goals
Goal -1 No Poverty
By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
Goal -2 Zero Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030.
Goal -3 Good Health and Well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages by 2030.
Goal -4 Quality Education
Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education by 2030.
Goal -5 Gender Equality
To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Goal -6 Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Goal -7 Affordable and Clean Energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.
Goal -8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Goal -9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation by 2030.
Goal -10 Reduced Inequality
Reduce inequality within and among countries by 2030.
Goal -11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Goal -12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Goal -13 Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Goal -14 Life Below Water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Goal -15 Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification and halt biodiversity loss.
Goal -16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development; provide access to justice for all.
Goal -17 Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Eligibility Criteria
Students and young professionals between the ages of 18-35 years from around the world are invited to participate.
Teams must consist of two to six members and may be formed across different schools, institutions, companies, countries, nationalities, etc.
For more information, visit https://ideas4action.awardsplatform.com/
