A chance to change the world — G20 style

Professor Sarah Todd says the Griffith G20 Scholars Program is an exciting opportunity for students.
Professor Sarah Todd says the Griffith G20 Scholars Program is an unprecedented platform for students to develop their G20 ideas.

If you’re a Griffith student and you’d like to change the world, your time has come. But it’s running out. If your entry is not in by 4pm tomorrow (Thurs), a chance in a lifetime may have slipped by.

Griffith International is on the hunt for 20 students with 20 bright ideas to take part in the Griffith G20 Scholars Program.

“We are inviting students across the university’s five campuses to come up with an idea that could change the world if it was adopted by world leaders at this year’s G20 summit in Brisbane,” Professor Sarah Todd, Pro Vice Chancellor (International), says.

“Our scholars will get the opportunity to discuss and develop their ideas with academic experts from G20 member states and with leading researchers who have worked in the G20 sphere for many years.

“They will be working alongside both domestic and international peers.

“It’s a very exciting project. We’re looking forward to how the different ideas can be harnessed in the build-up to the summit in November.”

To be in with a chance of becoming a G20 Scholar, students must pen an essay (no longer than 600 words), describing their idea and how it could change the world. The essay must be built around one of four core themes that connect to the G20 agenda.

The themes are i) Improving Human Life; ii) Powering future economies – people, technology and resources; iii) Tourism’s new frontiers; iv) Cities of the future.

Entries close on Thursday, June 12, with the successful students to be announced when the Griffith G20 Scholars Program is launched in July.

G20 Scholars will have exclusive access to a series of G20-related lectures, workshops and unique initiatives run by Griffith during the year. They will also participate in a one-day intensive G20-themed workshop.

“They will find themselves in an environment where they can refine their cross-cultural skills and experience by discussing and debating their G20 ideas with peers and experts from all over the world,” Professor Todd says. “In this way, they will develop a deeper understanding of the global, economic challenges faced by G20 leaders.”

The Griffith G20 Scholars Program is open to both domestic and international students from first year to postgraduate.

All scholars will receive student membership of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (QLD Branch), a $250 allowance to cover any expenses incurred through the scholarship and a Griffith G20 Scholars bag.

A certificate of participation and letter from Professor Todd will be presented at the end of the program.

For further information or to apply, click here.