Deadline:
February 01, 2026
Program Starts: May 06, 2026
Program Ends: May 07, 2026
Location(s)
Online Switzerland
Dufourstrasse 83 P.O. Box 1045 9001 St. Gallen
Overview
Compete in our Global Essay Competition and qualify for participation as a Leader of Tomorrow in the world’s premier opportunity for cross-generational debates: The St. Gallen Symposium.
Meet 300 of society’s brightest young minds. Present and debate your ideas with 600 senior leaders. Be inspired by some of the world’s most impressive speakers. Gain a unique and new perspective on this year’s topic. Become a member of a unique global community.
Participate in the symposium with us. Win prize money of CHF 20,000 split amongst the three winners.
Details
Topic Question
Disruption in Tech + Politics + Demography: What happens when they collide?
Pick a case where at least two of these forces meet, and propose a bold idea to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks over the long term.
We live in a time of major disruptions — yet three stand out for their pace, transformative impact, and global reach. In recent years, the world has changed more profoundly than many expected — leaving businesses, institutions and individuals struggling to keep up, often unclear on how to respond. These disruptions offer both opportunities and challenges – not only in their nature, but also in how societies experience and address them.
- Technology: AI and automation are transforming business, politics, and daily life at record speed—raising ethical dilemmas while driving breakthroughs in digital infrastructure, clean energy, and productivity.
- Geopolitics: Shifting alliances, economic uncertainty, and rising defense budgets are reshaping the global order as traditional structures weaken and new actors emerge.
- Demography: Rapid ageing in the Global North and youth surges in the Global South are straining welfare systems, shifting migration patterns and productivity.
About
The St. Gallen Symposium is the world’s leading initiative for intergenerational debates on economic, political and social developments. The symposium takes place annually in May at the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
To be eligible, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:
- Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university
- Born in 1996 or later
Make sure you can provide the following documents:
- Copy of passport or other identification (in English for non-Roman languages)
- Confirmation of matriculation/enrolment from your university which proves your enrollment in a graduate/postgraduate level programme as of 1 February 2026
- Your contribution file with no indication of your name in the file name, the file metadata or the file itself
Impress the Jury
All contributions will be evaluated equally according to a specific set of criteria by an independent jury composed of professors, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. The authors of the best 100 contributions qualify as Leaders of Tomorrow and will be invited by the ISC to the next St. Gallen Symposium. The very best competitors will have the chance to present and discuss their ideas on the symposium's big stage and also in other conferencing formats. The award will be bestowed to the three best competitors, the selection will be based upon the quality of the essays only.
Dates
Deadline: February 01, 2026
Program starts:
May 06, 2026
Program ends:
May 07, 2026
Program Starts: May 06, 2026
Program Ends: May 07, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
- Meet 300 of the world's brightest young minds
- Present and debate your ideas with 600 senior leaders
- Be inspired by some of the world's most impressive speakers
- Gain a unique and new perspective on this year's topic
- Become a member of a unique global community
- Win prize money of CHF 20,000 split amongst winners
The participation in the symposium is free for all Leaders of Tomorrow. Moreover, expenses for travel, board and lodging are covered by the ISC. However, we recommend bringing a small amount of pocket money for your convenience.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
