EWB is a biennial international student conference that creates networks across cultures in order to understand, and generate solutions for, some of the world's greatest challenges.

The conference achieves this end by engaging the world's most innovative students and leaders in the business, technology, education and humanitarian sector in a collaborative forum that culminates in a commitment to action.

Under the broad theme of Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges, several sub-themes have been identified which categorize methods that can be used to address these most urgent challenges of the world:

• Education: Enhancing access, ensuring success
• Economics: Harnessing entrepreneurship and business opportunities for positive impact
• Science, Engineering & Technology: Solutions for a better future
• New media: Engaging and empowering individuals
• Policy: Advocacy, diplomacy and activism to drive change