Global real estate organizations are seeking input on ethics in business from young professionals and students. A newly launched competition challenges them to propose strategies for profitable, socially and environmentally responsible operations in land development, real estate, construction, infrastructure and affiliated professions.

This supports the goals of the International Ethics Standards (IES) Coalition, comprised of 60 professional bodies worldwide that signed on to a United Nations initiative last year. A standards development committee is now defining overarching principles to guide conduct for participating organizations, which is where the communicating ethics competition comes into play.

“We want to capture the ideas and powerful messages of young people and produce compelling communications content that provokes even wider debate about the role that ethics plays in business,” explains Tony Grant, deputy chair of the International Ethics Standards Coalition.

Contestants between the ages of 18 and 30 are asked to address any or all of five questions that explore the attractiveness of ethical business conduct in a place of employment, in contracting professional services and/or in investment decisions. Deadline for entry is January 29, 2016.

“IES will benefit all stakeholders with an interest in property by creating a common language for ethics and shared understanding about the standards of conduct which real estate professionals should work to,” the competition sponsors add.