“Visions / Solutions” online competition run by Die Junge Akademie’s Sustainability research group seeks entries for a positive future by 31/03/2020 | Up to 2,000 euros to be won

As part of an online competition running until the 31st March 2020, Die Junge Akademie’s Sustainability research group is asking for digital submissions which focus on the idea of a sustainable future in a visionary or specific way. Participants can submit entries of all kinds - from pictures and videos to texts, songs and multimedia content - in either the “Visions” category or the “Solutions” category on the following website: 2020.diejungeakademie.de/en/visions-and-solutions-en. The three best entries in each of the two categories will win prizes of 2,000, 1,500 and 1,000 Euros. The winners will also have the opportunity to discuss their ideas with top-class scientists. The “Solutions” category of the competition is sponsored by UmweltBank.

From a scientific point of view, one thing is certain: the climate is changing, and this is a result of human activity. Astrid Eichhorn, who is the spokeswoman for the Sustainability Research Group and also a physicist at the University of Southern Denmark and at Heidelberg University, explains the objective of the competition: “What we need are viable ideas for a different future. A sustainable way of life offers a wealth of opportunities, not only in ecological and economic terms, but also socially and culturally. With this competition, we want to counter the media images of an approaching catastrophe with ideas and initiatives that recognise and shape the opportunities for positive change.” Carolin Holzmann, jury member for UmweltBank, describes the green bank’s motivation behind supporting the competition: “We are convinced that the ecological challenges of our time can be overcome with confidence and creativity. In order for social change towards greater sustainability to succeed, specific, innovative ideas and platforms are needed to make these ideas known to the world. Die Junge Akademie’s competition creates such a platform. And we are therefore very happy to be a part of it!”

Entries must be submitted digitally by 31st March 2020 using the online form on the 2020.diejungeakademie.de/en/visions-and-solutions-en website. Participation is open to anyone interested in the topic. School pupils in particular are invited to contribute their ideas. Group entries are also possible. A jury will select the winning entries. All submitted entries must have a clear reference to the topics of climate change, our relationship to the natural world, or sustainability. They must also be clearly assigned to one of the two categories: “Visions” or “Solutions”. An important criterion in both categories is the originality of the submission. Further information on the conditions of participation and the online form can be found here: 2020.diejungeakademie.de/en/visions-and-solutions-en

The competition is taking place as part of the activities surrounding the 20th anniversary of Die Junge Akademie in 2020. All information on events in the anniversary year can be found at 2020.diejungeakademie.de/en or under the hashtag #jungeakademie2020.