Student Essay Competition 2026: international contest launched by the Magna Charta Observatory

The Magna Charta Observatory has officially launched the Student Essay Competition 2026, an international contest aimed at university students worldwide. The initiative invites participants to reflect on how the humanities contribute to fostering access to higher education and shaping the university experience, academic development, and personal growth.

The 2026 edition of the competition is dedicated to the theme The Humanities and How They Influence Access to and the Experience of Higher Education. Through an original essay, participants are asked to explore the role that the humanities play in promoting a sense of belonging within the academic community, enriching the path of study, and contributing to the development of informed and responsible citizens.

The competition represents an opportunity to share ideas and perspectives within an international context, encouraging student voices and international reflection on the future of higher education and the importance of the humanities in an evolving society. All information relating to the competition, including participation guidelines, submission details, and the webinar recording, is available on the dedicated Magna Charta Observatory webpage.

The initiative is organised by the Magna Charta Observatory as part of its strategy dedicated to future generations, aiming to amplify students' voices in the international debate on universities, education, and the role of knowledge in contemporary society. As a signatory of the Magna Charta Universitatum, USI supports the values that inspire this initiative and invites its students to seize this opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives in an international forum dedicated to the future of higher education.