World Bank Group Youth Summit 2017: Technology and Innovation for Impact

We find ourselves amid the greatest information and communications revolution in human history and must take advantage of this rapid technological change to make the world more prosperous and inclusive. With youth being the early adopters and the most active users of Information and Communication technologies, their participation is essential in expanding the reach of technology and fulfilling the transformative potential of the digital revolution. This year’s Youth Summit will seek to provide youth with a forum to voice their concerns, share their ideas and learn from one another while discussing the challenges and opportunities created by this technological shift.

Structure of the Youth Summit

The two-day Summit will be held on the 4-5 December 2017 in Washington DC and livestreamed globally. The 2017 Youth Summit will have three components:

Plenary: The Summit will include dynamic high-level plenary sessions which aim to ignite conversation on fulfilling the opportunities of technological innovation. The plenary session will juxtapose youth representatives and speakers from the World Bank Group, the private sector, government, academia and civil society with the objective of engaging a plurality of views on how to reap sizable technological dividends.

Workshops: Attendees will participate in workshops that delve into the Summit’s three subthemes, giving participants an opportunity to share ideas and experiences and debate how to maximize the potential of Information Communication Technologies all around the globe.

The subthemes are:

• Transforming the Jobs and Skills of Tomorrow
• Leveraging Technology for Financial Inclusion
• Igniting Youth Entrepreneurship. 

Find out more about the subthemes in the competition tab. 

Competition: On the second day of the Summit, the live final of the Youth Summit Competition ‘Technology and Innovation for Impact’ will take place. The competition finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the audience of attendees and an expert jury. To find out more about how to participate in the competition, visit our competition tab. 

The Summit invites youth who are passionate about expanding the positive impact technology is having in the lives of all. Attendance at the Summit is open to youth aged 18-35 from around the world.

There is no admission fee to attend the event, but all travel and lodging costs are at the sole expense of the attendee. Given the scale of the event, neither the WBG Youth Summit, the Committee, the World Bank Group or any of its affiliates can provide financial assistance to those attending.

Interested youth are encouraged to find sponsors to pay for their transportation tickets and accommodation for the two days of the event. If attendance to Washington DC is not possible, please send an email to youthsummit@worldbank.org with "WBG Country Office" in the subject line and the Youth Summit Organizing Committee will make an effort to arrange a conference room in the WBG Country Office to watch the event live. 

If you can't attend in Washington DC, we encourage you to join us online via World Bank Live. Some World Bank Country Offices might host livestreaming events. For further details please see our Livestream tab.

Sign up to the mailing list to keep up to date on the latest Summit information including blogs, partner events and speaker announcements.

Join the Youth Summit Mailing List by clicking here.

You can also participate in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #wbgyouthsummit.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COMPETITION WINNERS AND PARTICIPANTS!

COMPETITION WINNERS

Jury Award: Sehat Kahani (Pakistan)

Description: Pakistan, a population of 182 million and one of the fastest economies of the world still struggles to provide basic healthcare to 51% of its total population. Around 40 million people live below the poverty line. In addition, the “doctor bride” phenomenon in Pakistan, where women are made to choose between their career and family after the long journey of earning a medical degree, means that a lot of qualified doctors are out employment. Sehat Kahani is a tele-health Platform that connects at home-out of work force female doctors to underserved patients in low and middle income markets providing access to quality health care. It uses an e-health hub model with a female frontline worker who connects patients to doctors, as well as outreach programs in preventative health.

Team: Makkiya Jawed (Team Captain), Sara Khurrum, Mahek Merchant and Nida Shezad.

Audience Award: Pink Collar (Malaysia)

Description: The demand for domestic workers in Malaysia continues to grow, despite the dwindling supply of migrant labor available from poorer countries to be live-in maids amongst local households — this has largely been due to inefficiencies in the process of connecting available labor to employers, and cases of human rights violations against maids which has caused political repercussions from supply-side countries. Pink-collar’s mission is to create a transparent, ethical and quality-assured job-search and recruitment process for all domestic workers and household employers, by leveraging ICTs to make it a faster, transparent, cost-effective, and more accountable process. It is disruptive innovation, envisioned as a digital web and app-based platform that will directly connect two user groups — domestic workers, and employers of domestic work — into a shared-economy arrangement. This solution has great potential to help promote greater gender equality in the world of work (SDG 5), and reduce inequalities and caste-based discrimination (SDG 10).

Team: Zenna Law (Team Captain)

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COMPETITION FINALISTS:

CRVS Systems in Neonatal Health Services (Nigeria)

Description: A mobile app to strengthen Civil Registrations and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems in neonatal health in Nigeria. Unknown date-of-birth and identification is a major challenge in developing countries and the current age declaration process significantly encourages falsification of age. The CRVS app has been developed to serve as a strategic supply chain tool for increasing the nationwide coverage and service level in the registration of livebirth, stillbirth, death and cause of death.

Team: Oledayo Olorunfemi (Team Captain) and Kola Raheem

Help Hub – Cultiver (South Africa)

Description: The HelpHub is a mobile application that connects the basic needs of the poor (helpees) with the resources of the more fortunate (helpers) in South Africa. The application enables helpees to request for assistance in four categories, namely: education & related needs, health, nutrition & food as well as clothes. Upon request the helpees are able to receive assistance within a 48 -72-hour period to their need as opposed to relying on periodical assistance from traditional charity organizations, initiatives and drives.

Team: Fezeka Struuman (Team Captain)

Infinite Light (India)

Description: The project is a policy idea that aims to transform the energy sector with a peer to peer blockchain based energy system that allows exchange of energy coins (Units of Electricity) directly amongst people. It not only solves problems associated with the energy sector but also promotes modern renewable energy while creating entrepreneurial opportunities. The first target city where the project is to be implemented is in New Delhi, India.

Team: Eshwar Agarwal (Team Captain) and Krishit Arora

OKO (Mali)

Description: Mobile-powered weather index insurance. 2 billion smallholder farmers depend on rain for their daily agricultural activities. OKO aims at providing these farmers with an affordable and efficient insurance against droughts and excessive rainfall. These insurance services will be using the latest mobile technologies or real-time alerts, remote payments and precise weather monitoring. This will contribute to making agriculture a more predictable and stable source of income, and therefore improve quality of life for rural populations. OKO is expected to be first piloted in Mali, with subsequent implementations in Fiji, Ivory Coast and Bolivia.

Team: Simon Schwall (Team Captain) and Rodrigo Garcia Ayala

Established in 2013, the Youth Summit is an annual event that serves as a platform for conversation and action to make the World Bank Group more relevant to the global youth and to better involve young people in the work of the World Bank Group. The Youth Summit Organizing Committee is comprised of young World Bank Group employees and is supported by World Bank Group senior management.

The first Youth Summit was held in October 2013 and emphasized youth leadership, revitalizing a new chapter of World Bank Group involvement and engagement with a dynamic generation of young leaders, activists, development professionals, and others interested in global youth-related issues. The 2014 Youth Summit focused on Governance, leveraging the experiences and expertise of participants to offer workshops highlighting the work of youth globally to increase transparency, accountability and collaboration in the context of participatory government. In its third edition, the 2015 Youth Summit made a global call to crowd-source solutions for climate change, held right before the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 21) in Paris. In 2016, the Summit invited youth from all over the globe to rethinking education for new millennium hosting an ideas competition and attracting almost 400 participants in Washington, DC.

The 2017 Youth Summit, Technology and Innovation for Impact, will take place on December 4-5 2017.

UPDATE:

Registration has now closed. We cannot accept any more submissions.

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IDEAS WANTED

Rapid technological changes have created both challenges and opportunities around the world, we must take advantage of the inherent transformative potential of technology to make the world more prosperous and inclusive for all.

If you could take advantage of today’s technology and solve any problem or need, what would it be?

Would it support the WBG twin goals of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity?

Contribute to building the inclusive tech-world of tomorrow by sharing your idea!

Deadline for Submission: 13 October 2017

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About the Competition

Rethinking technology to ensure that all people across the world – today and in the future – are well equipped and have access to resources and opportunities to fully realize their potential and shape their own paths, is one the most complex and pressing challenges of our time. Everybody has a role to play – but no one is better placed than young people themselves as early adapters and most active users of technology to identify the obstacles faced and find ways to overcome them.

The purpose of this competition is to challenge young people to take advantage of today’s rapid changing technology and solve the problems that matter to them most by crafting their own solutions so that they can build the future they want. In addition, the competition also aims to inspire and create a dialogue on innovative ways to address some of the problems and needs that have also been created by this “technology revolution”, and that hinder sustainable development.

Why Participate?

Do you have an idea that has the potential to solve a problem or need by taking advantage of the transformative potential of the digital revolution and the technological advances of our times? Does your idea positively impact your community, your country, and/or society at large? If the answer to both questions is yes, then the Youth Summit 2017 Competition gives you the opportunity to share your idea, connect with peers and high-level experts, and explore how to bring your idea to the next level. 

Who Should Participate?

The competition is open to individuals or teams of 2 to 4 people aged 18 to 35, from all over the world. Prior entrepreneurial experience or business background is not required. All individuals with the drive to innovate are encouraged to participate, including professionals from business or policy, students and academics, NGO leaders, government officials and start-up founders.

How to Enter the Competition?

Participants should propose an innovative and action-oriented idea on how to provide a solution to a developmental challenge adapted to the realities of the 21st century. The proposed solution can be aimed at business (private sector) or policy (public sector) and should relate to at least one of the subthemes of the Youth Summit 2017:

• Transforming the Jobs and Skills of Tomorrow

The rapid technological changes we are experiencing nowadays are revolutionizing the future of jobs and businesses. According to Oxford university, about half of today’s jobs will disappear in the next 25 years. Automation is among the main protagonists of this story, as it is expected to eliminate many existing jobs. Thus, many economies face increasingly polarized labor markets and rising inequality, as technology augments higher skills while replacing routine jobs. But just as technology is destroying jobs, it is also creating new ones, generating a demand for new skills to be competitive in the 21st century. Outsourcing is bringing internet-based jobs to the poor and vulnerable. The diffusion of technology in the labor market promotes social and productive inclusion for women, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged populations. In addition, shared economy and other new business models are also disrupting the job market and posing new opportunities and challenges to traditional industries and government regulators. But what do these new jobs and business models mean for global poverty and inequality? How is technology affecting the job market in developing countries and how can their citizens better prepare for the new economy?

• Leveraging Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) 

Information and Communication Technologies (“ICTs”) are positively impacting the world by reducing the cost of information, benefiting consumers, the financial sector, businesses, voters and governments. Technologies are increasing efficiency when existing activities are done at lower costs, faster and more conveniently. They drive innovation and take critical services such as health care, education, finance, infrastructure and disaster recovery to underserved and rural areas, boosting economic growth, increasing inclusion and promoting social development. Increased broadband connectivity, for example, facilitates international economic integration and access to news and knowledge. However, 60% of the world’s population is still offline, with no access to the digital world and no opportunities of participating in the technological revolution. Large parts of these unconnected populations are predominantly rural, with low income and high level of illiteracy. Citizens and private sector, as well as governments and regulators all have a critical role to play in addressing these barriers and improving the reach and affordability of ICTs. How can all stakeholders contribute to maximizing the potential of ICTs in developing areas of the world? What are the lessons learned from around the globe in the promotion of development through digital technologies?

• Igniting Youth Entrepreneurship

All around the world, young people see entrepreneurship as a mean to achieve social and economic development. By lowering information barriers and costs, the Internet and other technologies increase experimentation and give rise to new opportunities for entrepreneurship, both in the ICT and the ICT-enabled sectors. Tech entrepreneurs are crucial in generating new business ideas that transform local and global communities. Youth with the right skills and facing fewer barriers to entry have and can improve on existing technologies by introducing superior business models or more efficient approaches, which leads to benefits in connectivity, employment and costs reduction around the globe. In addition, innovators disrupt markets and existing incumbents, avoiding the monopolization of industries and the concentration of power that can lead to inequality and unrest.  But for young entrepreneurs to be able to succeed and have significant impact, a serious commitment from governments, private firms, educational institutions and the financial sector is needed. What can be done to spark the entrepreneurial potential inherent to the youth around the world? How can the next generation of tech entrepreneurs help unleash private sector-led growth, increase productivity and benefit their societies? 

Deadlines & Process 

Stage 1 – Submit your Idea (Deadline: 13 October 2017)

Participants must submit their proposal by October 13 2017, 11.59 pm EST. Proposals will be evaluated by an Expert Committee. Shortlisted individuals/teams will be announced by mid-October 2017 and will proceed to the next stage.

Stage 2 – Refine your Idea & Prepare your Pitch (Mid-October to Early-December 2017)

Individuals/teams shortlisted in Stage 1 will receive feedback on their proposals and may be asked to submit further information, refine their proposals and/or submit short ‘pitching’ videos. Based on that, the Expert Committee will select the ‘Finalist’ individuals/teams who will proceed to Stage 3.

Stage 3 – Pitch your Idea at the Youth Summit 2017 (4-5 December 2017)

Finalists will join the Youth Summit 2017, taking place at the World Bank Group Headquarters, Washington DC. The entire morning of the second day of the Summit (December 5th,2017) will be dedicated to showcase Finalists’ ideas. Finalists will present their proposal in front of a Judging Panel and Summit attendees – presentations will be live-streamed. After the presentations, winners will be selected by a combination of votes from the judging panel and the audience. 

Ready to Apply?

To share your idea and enter the Youth Summit 2017 Competition, you shall:

1. Make sure that you/your team meet the Eligibility Requirements:

• The Competition is open to individuals or teams of 2-4 people, aged 18 to 35 inclusive as of 11.59 pm EST on October 13, 2017. 
• Teams and individuals are limited to one submission each. 
• The Competition is open to nationals of ALL countries of the world. 
• Active staff of the World Bank Group (at the time of the submission up until the closing of the Youth Summit 2017), including Consultants and Interns, are not eligible to participate in the Competition. 

2. Prepare a proposal that outlines your idea, as per the following Submission Rules:

• Proposals must be created by and owned by the Participants.
• Proposals must be submitted in English. 
• Proposals shall provide an innovative and action-oriented business-level or policy-level idea aimed at solving a problem/need that will support at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and one of the World Bank’s Twin goals of (1) Reducing poverty and (2) Boosting Shared Prosperity. 
• Proposals must comply with at least one of the following criteria:
  • The problem/need to be solved must have been caused by a technological transformation, and/or; 
  • The idea/solution must use a technological component (such as ICTs) to solve the developmental problem/need. 
• The problem/need and the proposed solution outlined in the Proposals must relate to at least one of the subthemes of the Youth Summit 2017 and should apply to a least one World Bank Borrowing Country (IDA, IBRD or Blend).
• Proposals must (a) provide a short 2-5 sentences summary of the idea, (b) describe which Sustainable Development Goal it will support and which YS Subtheme it relates to, (c) describe the specific problem/need that the proposed solution seeks to address, and (d) describe the solution proposed to address this specific problem/need (e.g. a product, service, program, policy, course, initiative etc.). 
• Proposals will be judged based on the following Judging Criteria: (1) Clarity, scope and relevance of the problem and of the proposed solution; (2) Innovation and originality; (3) Feasibility of implementation and whether it is sustainable in time; (4) Potential for impact. Please refer to the Competition Rules and Regulations for further information about the Judging Criteria.
• Proposals must be between 1,000-2,500 words in length, all-inclusive – i.e. including all bodies of text, titles, headings, tables, textboxes, footnotes, endnotes, references, appendices etc. – and must not exceed 4 pages in total. 
• The following information must be provided at the top of the first page of the Proposal: (a) the names of the Participant(s) submitting the Proposal – for teams, all team members’ names shall be listed; (b) the final word count (all-inclusive).

To write your proposal, you can refer to the Writing Tips, which provide a resource to help you structure and develop your proposal – referring to these tips is not mandatory; proposals will be judged solely based on the Judging Criteria and Submission Rules.

3. Make sure that you are aware of, accept, and agree with the Competition Rules and Regulations.

4. Submit your proposal by 11:59 pm EST, October 13, 2017 through the online Competition Submission Form. In addition to the Proposal, you will be asked to provide some information about yourself and other team members – if applicable – including a short 200-word bio for each of you. 

Any questions? Contact us at youthsummit@worldbank.org