From the contest Web site:

We are seeking your innovative solutions to issues. We think that 14 to 24 year olds can offer a fresh, innovative approach to problem-solving. Specifically, we are looking for workable project ideas that can be locally launched that would tangibly tackle a problem. An example might be program or project in a city or town to deal with surplus cellphones, or with under-employed youth, or that would deal with national security or human rights.

Winning videos will be presented to senior officials in the Obama administration, broadcast on screens in Best Buy stores across the planet, posted on our iTunes tile and YouTube playlist. The foundation will also fly U.S.-based Jury winners to Los Angeles for our awards ceremony co-hosted by Sony Pictures.

The deadline for submissions is April 12.

Already some entries from the Rocky Mountain are available for viewing on the foundation’s YouTube channel. Thus far, most are earnest and heartfelt, some weird and others well … they’re pretty disturbing.

Colorado
Give a Hoot – on biking as environmentally friendly transportation
Save a Life – on opposing abortion
Thumbs Down to Pity – on film portrayals of the disabled

Utah
Innocence Lost – on preventing childhood sexual abuse
Think Twice – on obesity and food choices
Think. Believe. Act. – on ignorance and totalitarianism set in a bologna factory

To date, no entries could be found from Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming. C’mon, Westerners, we’re counting on you!

h/t Peter Levine

Source: McKinsey Global Survey [free registration required].

Among the more interesting findings in the survey is what corporate executives think is top of mind for the public. Does this square with your point of view?

Companies’ political influence is far from the only issue where executives see growing public concern (Exhibit 4). The environment is a perennial leader among issues expected to attract the most public attention, and 52 percent of respondents say the public’s attention toward the environment has increased because of the crisis. However, even more see growth in concern over other top issues: 94 percent see more concern about executive compensation, and 78 percent see more concern about corporate involvement in politics.

Indeed, among issues expected to attract the most public attention, executive compensation, which has markedly decreased the public’s trust in business, surged to the number two spot, from number eight in 2007 and 2008. And although the environment continues to hold the top position, of the executives who select this issue, the proportion has fallen to 49 percent, from 57 percent in the 2008 survey.