World's Challenge Challenge

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 [email protected] and someone from our team will respond to you. We are happy to connect via email and zoom.