Sustainable Development Challenge - Deadline: March 27th

 

Sustainable Development Challenge Website

Do you think about the problems facing society or about the needs of the world? Do you worry about climate change, poverty, equality and overconsumption? Do you want to make a difference?
The United Nations has set 17 sustainable development goals to help end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy & International Relations is challenging high school students to be part of the solution!
Seton Hall University is committed to serving the greater good, which is why we are hosting a Sustainable Development Challenge designed to engage high school students in thinking about the needs of society and the planet - encouraging you to be an agent of change and embrace the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Submit your ideas

Using the online entry form, submit a 300-500 word statement that describes an innovative approach or idea you have for addressing one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts about what you want to do to be a part of the solution and help make the world a better place.
Here are some guidelines:

• You can focus on any of the 17 UN sustainable development goals.
• You can present an idea aimed at creating awareness or aimed at creating change related to one or more of the sustainable development goals.
• You can present an idea for a project, campaign or charity that will assist in attaining one or more of the sustainable development goals.
• You can think locally or globally - focus on your school, local community, your state, the U.S. or any country or region of the world you wish.

Your submission should address the following:

• Briefly explain your idea and approach to implementing the idea
• Identify which UN Sustainable Development goal(s) your idea supports
• Explain how the idea you are presenting will contribute to attaining this goal(s)

Submissions must be received by Sunday, March 27, 2016 at midnight
The Challenge is open to all high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Step 2: Share your ideas

Ten finalists will be selected by late March and invited to present their ideas to a panel of judges at Seton Hall University on Friday April 22, 2016 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., with a reception to follow. Finalists who cannot come to campus can participate via Skype.
All submitters are welcome to attend the Challenge presentations on April 22 as well as the reception to follow. Make a weekend out of it and join us for Open House on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 9:00 am.

Step 3: Win Prizes and Recognition!

Finalist with the best ideas will win cash prizes and a scholarship to attend Seton Hall. The cash prize can assist you in launching your idea or creating awareness about the sustainable development goal or region of the world that is most important to you.

• 1st Place Winner: $2,500 cash prize. Plus a $10,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($2,500 annually)
• 2nd Place Winner: $1,000 cash prize. Plus a $6,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,500 annually)
• All other Finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,000 annually)

Finalists who present in person and their families will also be invited to a congratulatory reception on campus immediately following the event where they will meet with Seton Hall faculty and community members who are experts in the fields of international affairs and sustainable development.