Lightning Talk Contest

Congratulations to our 2020 Lightning Talk Winners!
​
Winners:

Consuming and Learning from Data Responsibly: A Call to Action - Jasmine Buttolph, Panagora Group
Delivering on Diversity: Black Americans in International Development - Lauren Reese, DAI
Even Heroes Need Help - Haystan Issa, Blumont

Thank you to all our 2020 Lightning Talk Judges:

Dipika Chawla - Principal Specialist, DAI
Sylvia Megret - Chief Operating Officer, ACDI/VOCA
Stephen Murray - Principal, CrossBoundary
Allison Poyac-Clarkin - Peace and Stability Practice Area Leader, MSI
Jamila White - Senior Africa Representative, Mercy Corps

​About
Last year, we introduced the SID-W Lightning Talk Contest, which allowed any individual or institutional members to submit a video of a TED-style talk on an international development topic. Our panel of judges selected winners who then presented their talks at our Annual Conference. Click here to watch videos of our 2019 Lightning Talk presentations. 
 
This year we are delighted to offer this opportunity to our members again. Here’s how it works: If you would like to participate, please see the guidelines below and send us a video of your Lightning Talk no later than Wednesday, September 16th, 2020.

​Guidelines

• Please see this very handy guide that provides advice on recording videos to make them look polished no matter what equipment you use.
• Lightning Talks must not exceed 5 minutes. Video entries that are longer than 5 minutes will not be considered. 
• Topic must be related to international development: sector commentary, innovative ideas, lessons learned, etc. This year's conference theme is The Decade to Deliver and will focus on how to achieve the SDGs in the coming years. You may want to align your talk to this theme, though it is not absolutely necessary. 
• One video entry per person. If multiple entries are submitted, only the first one received will be considered. There is no limit on the number of applications from one organization as long as they are submitted by different people.
• You must be a SID-Washington member and your membership must be valid as of submission date through October 8th. Individual members and employees of institutional members of any age may participate. Not a member and interested in joining? Learn more here. 
• Lightning Talks may be presented by an individual or in teams of no more than two people. If presenting as a team, at least one person must be a current SID-Washington member as of submission date through October 8th.
• Winning videos will be featured at the SID-Washington Virtual Annual Conference on Wednesday and Thursday, October 7th and 8th. 
• Submissions sent after the deadline of Wednesday, September 16th at 5:00 pm (EST) will not be considered. 

Scoring Criteria

• Well-Organized Information
• Enthusiasm and Audience Awareness
• Verbal Effectiveness
• Content and Meaning
• Body Language
• Articulation and Clarity

​How to Participate
​Please prepare a 5-minute video (YouTube, Vimeo, or similar platform preferred) of yourself or your team speaking in a TED-style format on a topic related to international development. Send a link to your video, title of the video, the presenter(s) name, and a short 100-word blurb about the video​ to [email protected], no later than Wednesday, September 16 at 5:00 pm (EST). When submitting, please note your membership affiliation. The winning and runner-up video entries will be featured at our Annual Conference, so please make sure you are happy with the quality before submitting it. Submissions sent after the deadline of Wednesday, September 16 at 5:00 pm (EST) will not be considered.

Additional Information

• All applicants will be notified by Tuesday, September 29. 
• Winners and runner-up applicants will have their videos posted on the SID-Washington website.
• Winners may attend the Annual Conference free of charge.
• SID-Washington has the right to publish all applications and videos on its website and social media and will credit the organization.