Topical Talk Prizes

September 15th 2026 - January 10th 2027
Explore loneliness and the future of friendship.

This year’s curriculum goes beyond basic debates about screen time and AI and gives students the opportunity to address the root causes of the global loneliness crisis. 10–16-year-olds will become empowered thought-leaders who are challenged to develop and present original strategies that build genuine community cohesion. The most impactful idea will be published in The Economist.

September 19th - November 19th
Help young people decode the news.

Our six-lesson curriculum and competition empower students to become “news decoders" – they'll develop the critical-thinking, creative problem-solving and media-literacy skills to navigate through fake news and polarisation. Students will learn from leading experts through lessons that unpick the current media landscape, including the impact of AI, social media and press regulation.

Throughout a six-lesson curriculum, students developed the skills they need to creatively solve problems, listen openly and to make their voices heard. They learned from a range of real-world leaders who are spearheading change to address some of the biggest issues people face.

From crime and carelessness, to corruption and cluelessness – politicians are often in the news for the wrong reasons. This competition gives students the opportunity to have their say about politicians and their standards of behaviour. The competition is now closed.