The WTO Secretariat, in collaboration with CropLife International and the Geneva Trade Platform, is extending an invitation to post-graduate students to participate in the Policy Hackathon on International Trade and Food Security.
The deadline to apply is 1 July at 15:59 CEST.
This event offers a unique platform for developing innovative and actionable solutions to pressing global food security challenges.
Participants are encouraged to form teams of two to four individuals and contribute their best ideas to compete for the opportunity to present their vision during the WTO Public Forum in Geneva.
Think Boldly. Build a Team. Shape the Future of Food Security.
This competition provides a chance to conceptualize practical solutions to significant global issues and present these ideas at the highest level during the week of the WTO Public Forum.
There is also an opportunity to compete for a cash prize of up to 2,000 Swiss Francs*.
About the Policy Hackathon
The Policy Hackathon on International Trade and Food Security is a dynamic competition designed to solicit contributions on some of the most relevant topics in contemporary global policy.
Teams, composed of up to three other Masters or PhD students, will engage in an intensive three-day period of envisioning, designing, and articulating a policy proposal.
These proposals will be reviewed by an esteemed panel of leading international experts and policymakers.
In a time when the international trading system is a prominent topic and food security is a critical concern for citizens, leaders, and international organizations, participants are invited to apply their creativity and innovation to the pursuit of bold new solutions grounded in collaboration and cooperation.
How to Apply
To participate, teams must consist of 2 to 4 members, with all participants currently enrolled in a Masters, PhD, or Post-Doctorate program at the time of application.
Following the announcement of the challenge question, teams will collaborate to create a policy pitch, including its content, and a short video detailing their thought process and proposed solution.
The Hackathon will take place from Friday 29 August (09:00 CEST) to Sunday 1 September (09:00 CEST). Participation is entirely virtual and open to eligible post-graduate students globally.
The three finalist teams will be invited to present their projects virtually to the jury at an event during the WTO Public Forum week (15-19 September), where the winner and two runners-up will be determined.
Guidelines, Judging and Selection Criteria
Submissions are required to include three distinct elements:
Section 1: A narrative section explaining the specific aspect of the problem being addressed and the intended solution (maximum 1,000 words).
Section 2: A substantive section outlining how the proposed solution would be presented in official documents such as a Ministerial Declaration, General Council Decision, or treaty change (maximum 500 words).
Section 3: A video explaining the proposal and its implementation (maximum 3 minutes).
Comprehensive guidelines detailing the theme, eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and other hackathon-related information are available for download.
Staying Up to Date
All participating teams will receive briefings from the WTO Secretariat and the Geneva Trade Platform through the Beyong Trade Network.
CropLife International is solely responsible for funding the prize, and the Geneva Trade Platform is solely responsible for its distribution, with no financial involvement from the WTO Secretariat.
Disclaimer: YüthAxis is not in any way affiliated with the hiring organization. Please direct your applications and any enquiries to the hiring company. Read our Terms of Use for more.
