JAKARTA – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Microsoft announced the launch of the Imagine Cup World Citizenship Competition in Indonesia. The competition asks students aged 16-25 to form teams and create original Microsoft software applications that address development challenges in the fields of education, democracy and governance, and environment. One team in Indonesia will win Rp 50,000,000.

“Technology can empower people from students to heads of global corporations, to make a difference. USAID is proud to support this technology competition to empower young people to make a positive change in people’s lives in Indonesia and around the world,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director Derrick Brown. “USAID admires students who think about the greater good and strive to turn their innovative ideas into the next big thing.”

In previous years, contestants created innovations ranging from an app that photographed a person’s eye and detected signs of anemia, a Microsoft Xbox Kinect technology that taught people how to use sign language, to an education app that used animation to teach children mathematics.

Imagine Cup contestant will have complimentary access to Microsoft software design and development tools to develop their innovations. Semi-final contestants will have access to USAID experts in the fields of education, democracy and governance, and environment.  For official contest rules, including information on how to enter and project submission deadlines, please visit http://bit.ly/worldcitizenship.  

On behalf of the American people, USAID improves lives and accelerates progress around the world. USAID works with the Indonesia government, local leaders, academia, the private sector, civil society and development partners to help Indonesia achieve its national development goals and emerge as a stronger partner in addressing global challenges. The close bilateral relationship is reflected in the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive partnership signed in 2010 to deepen ties between the two nations.

For more information, contact USAID Communications Officer Janice Laurente at +62 (21) 3435-9000 or jlaurente@usaid.gov.