What is the World's Challenge Challenge?
This innovative competition is an exciting way for UCalgary students to engage with other students from around the world to address global challenges from a wide variety of disciplines for a chance to win a top prize of $30,000. By participating, students will develop their critical thinking skills, global mindset, leadership, research, and presentation skills.
In teams of two to four members from the University of Calgary, you will develop and pitch a solution with a global impact that addresses one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The 1st-place winner from UCalgary’s Finals are invited to a virtual conference and Global Final competition hosted annually by Western University and a chance to compete for a top prize of $30,000. Finalists have an opportunity to participate in virtual academic events, generate further discussion around global issues, and network with some of the best and brightest students from around the world!
For more information on the competition, rules, partners, and the final competition, please visit the World's Challenge Challenge page at Western University
1. Choose your team: Teams of two to four UCalgary students will work together to identify a global problem and pitch a solution. We encourage you to work in groups made up of students with a diverse set of skills and backgrounds so that your pitch is well-rounded.
2. Choose a global challenge: UCalgary student teams will identify a global problem the world is currently facing. Participants are encouraged to explore issues that affect their own lives or challenges that they feel passionate about.
3. Apply: Teams will complete an application including basic information about the challenge and their proposed solution.
4. Workshops: One member of your team is required to attend Intro to Sustainable Development hosted by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation.
5. Semi-finals: A maximum of 30 teams will be selected to share their solutions in 3 minutes in front of a panel of judges at the WCC UCalgary Semi-Finals competition at a time assigned to your team. From there, a select number of teams will be chosen to present at the WCC UCalgary Finals competition.
6. UCalgary Finals: The shortlisted teams will share a 5-7 minute presentations to a panel of judges. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teems: 1st-place will receive a $4,000 award, 2nd-place a $2,500 award, and 3rd place a $1,000 award.
7. Global Finals: The 1st-place team from the UCalgary Finals will then have the opportunity to compete with other teams from around the world and a chance to win $30,000.
The WCC is open to teams of two to four members, ideally from different disciplines or faculties. You must be a current University of Calgary undergraduate or graduate student, full or part-time. In order to be eligible to participate at the Global Finals, teams must have a minimum of two members present at the online competition and all team members who are virtually present for the Global Final must participate in the competition.
The topic selection for this competition is not limited, and a list of ideas has been put together to get you started. Further, you could reference the UN Sustainable Development Goals to identify some of the greatest challenges facing the world right now.
We have every confidence in our students to put together amazing pitches! However, if you are in need of some guidance, your team will be paired with a mentor prior to the UCalgary finals. Your mentor will help you to prepare, refine, and improve your presentation in order to ensure that your pitch is polished and professional.
Additionally, we have a list of resources below that we encourage you to access as you prepare your presentations.
If you have questions, you can email global.challenge@ucalgary.ca and someone from our team will respond to you. We are happy to connect via email and zoom.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Applications Open - December 5, 2022
Information Session - January 6, 2023 at 2:00pm
Application Deadline - January 16, 2023
Semi finals - February 6, 2023 from noon to 3:00pm
Finals - March 8, 2023 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm Register Here
Global final - TBA
Student innovators pitch solutions for data gaps, e-waste, transit improvements, and more
First place for local finals went to Data Donors. The global issue the Data Donors team hopes to address is access to mobile data. Around 900,000 Canadians currently do not have access to the online world due to lack of data. They are looking to make data accessible to everyone through data donations.
2019 WCC Finalists
Applications for 2023
Click the link below to apply for the Winter 2023 iteration of the World's Challenge Challenge! Applications will close on January 16, 2023.