The World in 2050 is an international student essay competition jointly organized by the Brookings Institution and the Financial Times. It invites young people to write about how today’s decisions in areas like climate, technology, inequality, and governance will shape the world by the year 2050. Prompts have included questions on building a more sustainable, equitable future and imagining what kind of world today’s leaders should be working to create. The contest is open to secondary school students worldwide, typically including high school–age participants. Students submit an original English-language essay (usually up to around 1,000–1,200 words) responding to a specific annual question. Winning and shortlisted essays are often published on the Financial Times or Brookings platforms, giving students international visibility and a strong credential for college applications, as well as the opportunity to engage with expert policy discussions about the future of the global economy and society.