One Young World
How to change the world
AT THE ONE YOUNG WORLD SUMMIT IN LONDON, FUTURE WORLD LEADERS POOLED THEIR
COLLECTIVE WISDOM TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST PRESSING ISSUES – AND INSPIRE
OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. STUART WOOD REPORTS
“Leadership is not about hoping for the
world you want. It’s about delivering it.”
Kate Robertson, co-founder of the
One Young World summit alongside
partner David Jones, is speaking at the
opening ceremony of the conference’s
2019 edition. London’s Royal Albert
Hall is filled to the brim with the
world’s next generation of politicians,
artists, economists, business leaders,
and downright brilliant human beings.
Many of them have won scholarships
to attend the event, which consists of a
week of inspirational talks from
high-profile speakers across the city.
Among those on the billing are singer
Ellie Goulding, actor Douglas Booth,
and representatives of organisations
such as the UN and Amnesty
International.
Now in its tenth year, the event has
continued to grow from strength to
strength. It bills itself as the biggest
international gathering in London since
the 2012 Olympics, with representatives
from more than 190 countries. It also
has the backing of some high-profile
trustees, including Bob Geldof and the
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle
– who makes a grand entrance during
the opening ceremony.
Below:
Celebrations
during the flag-
bearing ceremony
With Greta
Thunberg blazing a
trail, the empowerment
of young people is very
much of the moment.”
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CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD
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ISSUE 103
All this star power has come together
for a common cause: to celebrate the
diversity and ingenuity of the world’s
future leaders, and bring them together
to solve the world’s most pressing
problems.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, speaking
during the opening ceremony, says: “At
a moment when authoritarian politics
are on the rise, when we face the spectre
of climate breakdown and inequality, we
must stand up for our democratic values
– together.”
It’s difficult not to get swept up in the
rising tide of optimism inside the Royal
Albert Hall. During a flag-bearing
ceremony at the end of the evening,
representatives from each of the 190
countries carry their nation’s colours
across the stage in turn. When the
representatives from North and South
Korea are called onto stage, they stop
side by side and join hands – which
causes the entire room to erupt into
emotional whoops and applause.
Radical hope
“The greatest asset for future leaders
like you is radical hope,” says Ellie
Goulding, speaking in Westminster’s
Central Hall the next day. “People will
always try and shame you, try and fill
you with apathy. Don’t let them – your
positivity and hope can change the
world.”
Goulding’s speech, delivered to a