The Global Development Challenge (GDC) 2025 Global Voices Essay Challenge for Students

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About Global Development Challenge

The GDC 2025 Global Voices Essay Challenge invites students to respond to the question:

“What does inclusive digital transformation mean for sustainable development in Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)?”

Participants are encouraged to reflect on how digital transformation is reshaping societies and economies in LMICs, and to explore both its opportunities and its challenges, such as digital inequality, algorithmic bias, youth activism, and governance gaps. 

Essays should express original viewpoints, drawing from personal observation, local examples, or emerging trends, and propose clear ideas or recommendations to make digital transformation more inclusive and impactful for sustainable development.

CATEGORIES

The challenge is open to students across three academic levels:

1. Undergraduate Students: Essays may include personal perspectives, observations, and early reflections on digital transformation and its social impact.
2. Master’s Students: Essays should present policy ideas, critical reflections, or grounded arguments on digital equity, governance, or innovation.
3. PhD Students: Essays may include deeper, specialised insights based on academic or professional exposure, while maintaining an accessible and opinion-driven tone.

• Sponsor Organisation: Global Development Network (GDN)

Benefits of Global Development Challenge

Winners will be invited to attend GDC 2025 in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where they will:

• Participate in a communications workshop hosted by the GlobalDev Blog.
• Be featured in a special publication on digital transformation featuring selected winning essays.
• Publish their work and be promoted through GDN’s digital platforms and partner channels.
• Receive an official Certificate of Achievement from GDN.

Selected winners may also be offered opportunities for continued engagement, including the chance to participate in special GDN activities, such as workshops, editorial collaborations, or a potential panel discussion. 

Global Development Challenge Requirements

The challenge is open to students  who meet one of the following criteria

• Are currently enrolled at an academic institution in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC);
• Have graduated from an academic institution in an LMIC within the last six months;
• Are currently based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, regardless of nationality

Application Date and Process

Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Application Deadline

15 July, 2025

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