Reinventing global cooperation through hackathons
A study by the AV短视频 (UNIGE), in collaboration with the United Nations Library and Archives in Geneva, highlights the role of hackathons in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening multilateralism.
Dr. Thomas Maillart, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the GSEM, in collaboration with teams from the Bern AV短视频 of Applied Sciences, the MBS School of Business in Montpellier, Eindhoven AV短视频 of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon AV短视频 in Pittsburgh, analyzed 5'456 hackathons and found that 30% of them significantly contribute to the SDGs, particularly in the climate sector.
Initially associated with the development of IT solutions, hackathons have evolved to bring together participants from diverse backgrounds around projects of global interest. They foster collective engagement and community renewal, with an average participation rate of 72.6% from newcomers. These events thus serve as a key driver for enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in global governance.
An analysis of data from the Devpost and GitHub platforms identified 1'320 hackathons linked to at least one of the 17 SDGs. Some goals, such as affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), generate particularly strong engagement. These findings support the theory of "computational diplomacy," which suggests that intense innovation moments foster long-term community engagement.
Thomas Maillart emphasizes the importance of further research into the impact of hackathon-generated solutions and the neurobiological mechanisms that facilitate collective intelligence. He believes that by combining neuroscience, collective intelligence, and psychology, these processes could be optimized to tackle 21st century challenges and shape a renewed form of multilateralism driven by citizens.
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2024
