On November 12, a new essay competition was launched as part of the international Open Dialogue initiative. Submissions will be accepted through December 31, 2026. Authors of the strongest submissions will have the opportunity to present their ideas in person at the Open Dialogue event in Moscow in April 2027.
The overarching theme of the 2027 competition is “Investing in People.” Participants are invited to put forward original ideas and practical solutions for developing human potential amid technological, demographic, and socioeconomic change.
Key areas of focus include new approaches to education and the organization of work; health management and healthy longevity; the transformation of everyday life through digital technologies; and the evolution of the cultural landscape and the development of homegrown visions of the future.
Four Focus Areas of the 2027 Competition
1. Human development
AI is transforming labor markets, professional skill requirements, and approaches to education. As algorithms take over an increasing share of routine tasks, the ability to independently define problems, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes is becoming ever more important.
Participants are invited to explore ways to support lifelong skills development, adapt education systems to changing conditions, and ensure continued opportunities for professional growth in the age of AI.
Key questions include how responsibility should be shared between humans and AI; new models for financing education; evolving career paths; and ways to assess the returns on investment in human capital.
2. Health management
Longer life expectancy does not necessarily translate into better health, preserved cognitive function, or continued independence. Advances in biomedical research and digital technologies are opening up new opportunities for disease prevention, interventions targeting the biological mechanisms of aging, and more effective healthcare delivery.
This focus area examines the shift from treating individual diseases to a continuous, lifelong approach to managing health.
Participants are invited to propose solutions to promote cognitive longevity, expand the use of AI in healthcare, and improve access to advanced medical technologies. Particular attention will be given to financing mechanisms for preventive care and assessing the returns on investment in healthy longevity.
3. Life around us
Digital platforms, AI, and automation are gradually transforming everyday life. These technologies can simplify access to services, travel planning, financial management, and interactions with urban infrastructure.
At the same time, the growing role of digital technologies raises new questions about preserving freedom of choice, protecting personal data, and maintaining human oversight of algorithmic decision-making.
Participants are invited to explore how cities, transportation systems, and public and commercial services may evolve over the coming decades. Particular attention will be given to equitable access to technology, reducing social and geographic inequalities, and creating comfortable, livable environments.
4. Content in a new era
Digital platforms are transforming how cultural content is created, distributed, and consumed. At the same time, access to audiences, funding for creative projects, and the protection of intellectual property rights are increasingly influenced by a small number of major technology companies.
This focus area explores cultural sovereignty, the development of national creative industries, and the ability of countries to shape their own visions of the future.
Participants are invited to explore new models for supporting creators, mechanisms for distributing locally produced content, the impact of recommendation algorithms on cultural diversity, and opportunities for international cooperation in the creative industries.
How to Participate
The competition is open to authors prepared to propose innovative approaches to addressing global challenges. Each essay should present an original, clearly articulated, and well-substantiated idea with the potential to be implemented in multiple countries.
Submission Requirements
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Submission period: November 12–December 31, 2026
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Length: 2,000–8,000 characters
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Languages: Russian, English, Spanish, or French
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Accepted file formats: DOC, DOCX, or TXT
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Content: An original idea supported by factual evidence. Specific implementation proposals and an assessment of the expected impact will strengthen the submission.
Submit your essay and review the detailed submission guidelines on the project website: dialog.russia.ru
