What it’s all about
The St. Gallen Symposium is a two-day conference taking place at the University of St.Gallen (Switzerland) in May. Every year key decision-makers from the fields of economics, politics, science, and society take part in the symposium to meet and exchange with the next generation of leaders. The entire conference is organised by the International Students’ Committee. It’s a Team of 35 students from the University of St.Gallen who pause their studies for 10 months to engage in the realization of a cross-generational dialogue.
About the Essay Competition
The St. Gallen Global Essay Competition is an international student essay competition that invites graduate and postgraduate students from all over the world to apply for a spot at the St. Gallen Symposium.
The Knowledge Pool is a collection of Tomorrow’s Leaders who are passionate about themes relevant to the St. Gallen Symposium. They have proven track records in the fields in which they work or study. The International Students’ Committee selects them by hand. The Knowledge Pool does not accept applications for membership.
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.
Qualify with an excellent essay
We expect a professional, creative and thought-provoking essay. Be bold, unconventional, and distinctive on the competition question.
For your contribution to be valid, the following criteria must be met
| Form | Essay (max. 2,100 words, excl. abstract, bibliography, and footnotes) |
| Language | English |
| Deadline | 1 February 2022, 11:59 p.m. last time zone (UTC-12) |
| Anonymity | Your name, e-mail address, university, or any identifying details must not be mentioned anywhere in the contribution file. |
| Individuality | Individual work expected, no group work allowed. The essay must be written exclusively for this contest. The idea must be the author’s own. |
| Citation | All sources must be cited and referred to the respective part in the essay. All contributions will be tested for plagiarism. |
| Template | Download Template for the Global Essay Competition |
Check your eligibility and prepare documents
To be eligible, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:
- 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
Make sure you can provide the following 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
Link to apply
https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/2022_stgallensymposium_globalessaycompetition
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/GRdQLsHRwmB7QVRmS3WK
Telegram:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lexpeeps-in-lexpeeps-pvt-ltd