St. Gallen Symposium 2022 Global Essay Competition

Published: 05 Oct 2021 1,350 views

Compete in our Global Essay Competition and be one of the top 100 contributors to qualify for an all-expenses covered participation as a Leader of Tomorrow in the world's premier opportunity for cross-generational debates: The St. Gallen Symposium.Meet 300 of society’s brightest young minds. Present and debate your ideas with 600 senior leaders. Be inspired by some of the world's most impressive speakers. Gain a unique and new perspective on this year's topic. Become a member of a unique global community. Participate in the symposium with us.

Topic Question

Collaborative Advantage: what should be written into a new intergenerational contract?

The idea of a “generational contract” embodies the principles that younger and older generations rely on each other to provide mutual support across different stages of their lives. Inclusive education systems, sustainable welfare states and meaningful environmental action are some of many challenges requiring a cross-generational collaborative effort. Yet, with the climate crisis, rapid technological change and societal aging in many countries, the generational contract and notions of intergenerational fairness have been challenged. Members of the younger generation are raising their voices as they reflect on how their futures are being compromised by current decision-makers.

What’s your specific and actionable idea that should be written into a new generational contract? Choose an area where you see evidence that intergenerational fairness is – or, going forward, will be – challenged and where the generational contract needs to be rewritten. Potential areas include, but are not limited to, business strategy and the economy, inclusive governance and education, the welfare state and health care, environmental sustainability, or the world of work. Describe your problem and offer concrete and practical proposals how inter-generational fairness can be restored or reinvented. Explain your idea’s impact for the future.

St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition

Benefits of St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition

Win prize money of CHF 20,000 split amongst the three winners.

Requirements for St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition

• Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university
• Born in 1992 or later

Application Documents

• Copy of passport or other identification (in English for non-Roman languages)
• Confirmation of matriculation/enrolment from your university which proves your enrollment in a graduate/postgraduate level programme as of 1 February 2022 (download sample document here)
• Your contribution file with no indication of your name in the file name, the file metadata or the file itself

Application Deadline

How to Apply