One Young World, the global forum for young leaders, has chosen London as the host city for their Global Summit in 2019.
“Today, I am delighted to announce that next year, the tenth Summit will be coming home to the UK,” says Prime Minister Theresa May. “In its homecoming year, I am proud to wish the One Young World Summit 2019, and everyone who will take part in it, every success.”
The Summit is scheduled to take place at Westminster, at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre and other iconic venues, from Oct. 22 to 25. It will mark the 10th anniversary of One Young World. Over 1,500 young leaders from more than 190 countries are set to gather in the capital, making it the most international gathering other than the Olympics to ever take place in the U.K.
“Today’s young people are the leaders of tomorrow, so I am delighted that London has been selected as host city for next year’s One Young World global summit, says Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor. “Our great city has always been at the forefront of innovative thinking and developing new ideas, so I am sure London will provide the perfect backdrop for discussing how to tackle some of the most critical global issues such as climate change, human rights, gender equality and conflict resolution. It is also a further sign that London is open, not only for hosting important global events, but for welcoming talented people from around the world.”
The bid to host One Young World in London was coordinated by One Young World Ambassadors Will Dickson and Ozzie Clarke-Binns and led by London & Partners and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the government’s overseas business, tourism and education initiative.
“Through HM Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign we are delighted to support One Young World,” says Conrad Bird, director of the GREAT Britain Campaign. “The U.K. is the perfect host destination for international business events of this caliber and we look forward to working in partnership to help deliver the best event on record in support of an organization that is focused on future innovation and talent”.
Since launching in 2009, One Young World has built a network of more than 9,000 Ambassadors, young leaders whose work projects have impacted 17.5 million people worldwide. London is also set to welcome high-profile leaders who work with the young Ambassadors and Delegates, sharing their experiences of making a positive social impact. In previous years this group of counselors has included Nobel Peace Laureates, heads of state, campaigners and activists including Kofi Annan, Sir Bob Geldof, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Mary Robinson, Justin Trudeau, Emma Watson and Meghan Markle.
“We live in a turbulent time and an era where politicians, CEOs and powerful figures, need to sit up and listen to young leaders to ensure that the positive change they demand actually happens,” says Kate Robertson, co-founder of One Young World. “David Jones and I launched One Young World to ensure that, increasingly, young leaders have a seat at the table and in One Young World they have a platform that strengthens their mandate to succeed.”
London is home to more than 600 One Young World Ambassadors whose work and projects range from fighting social injustice, tackling extreme terrorism, or holding the world’s biggest lesson on mental health.
“Bringing One Young World home to London marks a great moment for the organization and we are excited to get the young leaders of the city involved,” says Robertson.
The award-winning forum, One Young World, inspires young leaders to drive change, take action and tackle today’s most pressing issues. In 2017, 2.9 million people were impacted as a result of the work undertaken by Ambassadors and, for every $1 invested, the One Young World community delivered a social return of $13. The 2019 Summit is supported by the London Advisory Board, which is chaired by Nick Giles and whose members include Cobra Beer founder Lord Karan Bilimoria, Grant Thornton U.K. CEO Sacha Romanovitch, Channel 4’s chief marketing and communications officer Dan Brooke, and AO.com founder John Roberts.
