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Call for Applications: Student Hackathon on Security Game Development

Two students are sitting together in a lecture hall, looking at a laptop
Photo: Toms Grīnbergs, UL Communication Department.

In partnership with NATO's Public Diplomacy Division, the University of Latvia Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences and the Latvian Transatlantic Organization have announced an online hackathon for creative and tech-savvy students. Scheduled to take place on December 16 and 17, 2024, this event offers participants a rare opportunity to blend their game development skills with critical knowledge of security topics such as crisis preparedness, media literacy, and information security.

The online hackathon encourages students to design games or apps addressing one of four key priority areas:

  1. Safety and Security for Primary School Students: develop apps to teach kids about safe practices on mobile devices and the internet.
  2. Educational Games About NATO: promote understanding of NATO’s mission and importance through engaging game mechanics.
  3. Crisis Preparedness: create tools to educate users on how to respond to crises effectively.
  4. Information Security and Media Literacy: design games that enhance public awareness of misinformation and digital security.

By combining gaming with education, the initiative seeks to create innovative tools to inform and engage audiences on critical security issues.

Why You Should Participate

Participants will test and refine their game development skills by working on real-world challenges, receive mentorship and guidance from industry experts, have the opportunity to create impactful educational tools for the broader public as well as compete for valuable prizes and the chance to develop their projects further. Winners will receive a prize of 2000 EUR as well as the opportunity to present their work at the prestigious Nordic security forum “RIGA 2025”.

How to Join

Applications are open until December 10, 2024. Teams must submit a short video introducing their members and outlining their project ideas to lato@lato.lv.

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a safer and more informed society while advancing your technological and creative abilities. Mark your calendars for December 16 and 17, 2024, and get ready to hack your way to innovation!

Technical specification of the games (.pdf)

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