On the UN Virtual Worlds Day, the United Nations (UN) calls you to Metaverse Think-a-Thon 2024. Join the United Nations (UN) Metaverse Think-a-Thon 2024 to shape the future of smart, sustainable cities and communities. Collaborate with students and experts worldwide to innovate solutions using virtual worlds. Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this event challenges you to design virtual simulations addressing global challenges while promoting sustainability. Winners receive recognition and cash prizes.

The metaverse is an integrative ecosystem of virtual worlds, offering immersive experiences that modify and create new value. It’s a ground for innovation and action to address global challenges and advance SDGs.

This year’s theme focuses on Virtual Worlds Revolutionizing Smart, Sustainable Cities & Communities.

Purpose and Key Objectives:

• Explore virtual technologies and sustainable development intersections.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Co-create actionable strategies for smarter, sustainable cities.

Proposed Sub-topics:

• Virtual Education Platforms (SDG 4: Quality Education)
• Disaster Preparedness and Response (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action)
• Urban Conflict Resolution Simulations (SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)Top of Form

Key Details and Dates

• Organizer: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• Partners: United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Funding Type: Cash prizes
• Eligible Countries: Worldwide
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Students (current or recent graduates)
• Focus Area: Technology, sustainability, urban planning, engineering
• Number of Awards: 3 Awards
• Host Country: Virtual event

Important Dates:

• Registration opens: March 5, 2024
• Registration closes: March 29, 2024
• Think-a-thon proposal deadline: March 29, 2024
• Announcement of the shortlisted team: April 5, 2024
• Sessions with mentors: 8-19 April 2024
• Final Submission: April 19, 2024
• Final Presentation: April 29, 2024
• Winner Announcement: May 3, 2024
• Award Ceremony: June 14, 2024

Prizes and Financial Aids

Exciting cash prizes for the most innovative solutions:

• First place: CHF 10,000
• Second place: CHF 5,000
• Third place: CHF 3,000

Eligibility Criteria

General criteria are as follows:

• Open to current or recent graduate students worldwide.
• Teams should consist of 3 to 5 members.
• Participation is free of charge.

Required Documents

Participants must present their proposals in their preferred format, whether individuals or teams. Each proposal should include detailed action plans outlining the implementation steps for their ideas, solutions, or initiatives, along with clear goals and outcomes.

• Research Papers or Reports: Academic papers summarizing findings, insights, and recommendations.
• Project Proposals: Innovative solutions or initiatives related to sub-topics.
• Policy Recommendations: Recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, or tech developers to promote sustainable practices.
• Educational Materials: Infographics, videos, or online courses raising awareness about sustainability
• Community Engagement Initiatives: Initiatives involving local communities in sustainable urban development efforts

Selection Process

Below are the evaluation criteria for the proposals:

Innovation:

• Assess creativity and originality of solutions, particularly in virtual simulations.
• Evaluate participants’ ability to push boundaries in addressing challenges within the metaverse.

Relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals:

• Examine alignment with UN SDGs, emphasizing metaverse integration for global challenges.
• Consider how solutions leverage technology for sustainability and social impact in communities.

Scalability and Sustainability:

• Analyze scalability and sustainability, focusing on clear expansion frameworks.
• Evaluate the feasibility of partnerships, funding models, policies, and integration strategies for long-term impact.

Impact:

• Assess the potential impact on communities, economies, and the environment.
• Look for tangible benefits and measurable outcomes demonstrating the transformative power of the metaverse.

Implementation Feasibility:

• Evaluate technical execution, focusing on feasibility within the metaverse.
• Consider accessibility, infrastructure, and platform requirements for implementation.

How to Apply?

• Create or log in to your account by clicking the link below
• Choose “UN Metaverse Think-a-Thon 2024” as your problem statement.
• Create or join a team.
• Await team approval.
• Submit your proposal and await results.

Register Now

Further information and details are available on the official ITU website.

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