Call for Papers: UNESCO “In the Minds of Gen Z” Knowledge Project (Global Study 2026)

UNESCO invites younger individuals and early-career students to submit opinion items and analysis papers exploring what drives Generation Z’s civic and political participation. Selected works will contribute to a worldwide UNESCO study in 2026.

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Overview

UNESCO is looking for contributions to its new world data venture titled “In the Minds of Gen Z: Understanding Today’s Citizens.” This initiative is part of a broader effort to discover the motivations, influences, and phenomena behind Generation Z’s civic and political participation throughout the world.

Generation Z, usually outlined as these born between the mid-to-late Nineteen Nineties and early 2010s, represents a era of more and more vocal, digital, and socially conscious residents. Through this venture, UNESCO goals to collect insights from round the world that seize the various realities and experiences shaping Gen Z’s public engagement and actions.

• Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025

• Project Theme: Gen Z civic and political participation

• Study Launch: 2026

• Project Lead: UNESCO, with assist from a global professional group

• Submission Types: Opinion items and analysis papers

• Eligibility: Young individuals aged 18–28 and early-career students

Selected submissions will likely be featured in a landmark world UNESCO study and will inform worldwide insurance policies and youth-focused civic engagement packages.

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Central Topic

The core query guiding this name is:

What motivates and impacts the civic and political actions of Gen Z, and the way?

UNESCO is trying for submissions that spotlight a broad spectrum of elements influencing youth motion—from digital activism, schooling, and identification politics to systemic obstacles, cultural norms, and socio-economic realities.

Submissions needs to be rooted in native, regional, or world contexts and provide reflections or proof of how Gen Z navigates, challenges, and contributes to civic and political areas right this moment.

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Who Can Submit

UNESCO is accepting two major varieties of contributions, every with its personal eligibility standards:

1. Opinion Pieces by Gen Z Young People

• Eligibility: Individuals aged 18–28 who establish as part of Gen Z

• Focus: Personal tales, reflections, and inventive expressions related to civic and political engagement

• Format: Written articles, creative illustrations, drawings, photographs, and different non-written expressions

• Goal: To seize Gen Z’s genuine voices and lived experiences

These opinion items are supposed to supply a grounded, private view of how Gen Z perceives civic accountability, activism, politics, and energy.

2. Research Papers by Early-Career Scholars

• Eligibility: Master’s college students, PhD candidates, lecturers, and early-career researchers

• Fields: Political science, sociology, youth research, worldwide improvement, schooling, and different related disciplines

• Team Composition: Individuals or main authors of broader analysis teams (together with each youthful and senior students)

• Format: Academic analysis papers (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods)

• Criteria: Priority given to papers that meaningfully embrace Gen Z in the analysis course of (both as individuals or co-researchers)

Submissions needs to be evidence-based and methodologically sound whereas sustaining a transparent deal with real-world implications.

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How to Participate

Interested candidates ought to select the applicable submission class and apply through the designated on-line portal.

• Gen Z Opinion Piece Submission: If you’re between 18 and 28 and wish to share your private story, paintings, or reflections on civic life, you’re inspired to apply.

• Research Paper Submission: Early-career students who need to contribute academically grounded insights are welcome to apply to share their findings.

The submission course of contains offering your private particulars, a quick proposal or summary, and your closing contribution.

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Contact for Queries

For all questions or additional clarifications, candidates are inspired to succeed in out to:
📧 m.ky.priotou@unesco.org

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Why Submit

This name provides a uncommon alternative to affect worldwide conversations on youth, citizenship, and governance. Whether you’re a Gen Z activist sharing your lived expertise or a scholar conducting rigorous youth-centered analysis, your voice and insights can form world understanding and information impactful coverage and program design.

Selected contributions will likely be part of a serious world publication and can present a basis for future youth participation initiatives led by UNESCO and its companions.

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For extra world youth alternatives, go to the Opportunities for Youth web site.