GDC Global Voices Essay Challenge 2025
As digital technologies continue to reshape economies and societies worldwide, ensuring inclusive digital transformation is crucial for achieving sustainable development.
While innovation offers immense opportunities, gaps in access, governance, and digital equity persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
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.
The challenge is open to students across three academic levels:
- Undergraduate Students: Essays may include personal perspectives, observations, and early reflections on digital transformation and its social impact.
- Master’s Students: Essays should present policy ideas, critical reflections, or grounded arguments on digital equity, governance, or innovation.
- PhD Students: Essays may include deeper, specialised insights based on academic or professional exposure, while maintaining an accessible and opinion-driven tone.
Eligibility Requirements for the GDC Global Voices Essay Challenge 2025
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.
Prizes for the GDC Global Voices Essay Challenge 2025
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
Deadline: July 15, 2025
