Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: July 18, 2025
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) invites youth from around the world to participate in the UNIDIR Outer Space Security Conference 2025 Youth Video Competition. This initiative is part of UNIDIR’s commitment to promoting inclusive dialogue on space security issues and amplifying youth voices in global decision-making processes.
This year’s theme revolves around “Safeguarding Outer Space for Peace and Security.” Participants are encouraged to creatively express their perspectives on the future of space governance, peaceful use of outer space, and challenges surrounding space militarization. The competition offers young innovators a chance to contribute meaningfully to the global conversation on space security—and win an all-expense-paid trip to Geneva, Switzerland to present their work.
Theme
UNIDIR invites individuals aged 18–25 from around the world to submit a 1–3-minute original video on the following theme:
It’s the year 2050. You work on outer space security, shaping space governance as a treaty negotiator, orbital traffic controller, policy advisor, infrastructure inspector – or something else entirely. What challenge do you face and how are you responding?
Benefits
- A fully funded trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the OS25 – including round-trip economy airfare, accommodation for the duration of the conference, and per diems to cover some meals during those dates.
- Lightning talk premiere of the winners’ videos during the conference with the opportunity to present the videos to a global audience.
- Selected videos will be featured on the UNIDIR website.
- Selected winners will have an opportunity to transform their video and OS25 experience into a brief commentary to be published on the UNIDIR website.
Eligibility Criteria
- Videos must be submitted in .mp4 format, with audio, visuals, and subtitles in one file.
- Any language may be used, but videos not in English must include English closed captions.
- If possible, videos should be produced in landscape (horizontal) mode, rather than portrait (vertical) mode. Portrait videos, however, will not be disqualified.
- Individuals aged 18–25 from any country.
Application Process and Documents Required
How to participate?
- Video: Create a 1-3-minute video based on this year’s theme.
- Submission and deadline: Complete this submission form by Friday, 18 July 2025.
- Contact: For questions or technical issues, please email sarah.erickson@un.org.
Submission guidelines
- Only one submission per person is allowed.
- Submissions must be original content created by the entrant.
- AI-generated images or videos are strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
- Entries must comply with applicable laws and be free of copyrighted material not owned by the creator.
Selection criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Originality and creativity
- Relevance to the theme
- Clarity and technical quality
- Awareness of space security issues
- Engaging and thoughtful delivery
All submissions will be reviewed according to the pre-established criteria by a diverse panel of judges drawn from across UNIDIR and CIGI. The judging process is designed to ensure fairness, balance and transparency, with attention to geographic, gender and disciplinary diversity.
Entries that reflect youth, gender and regional diversity perspectives are highly encouraged.
