One Young World 2023-2024

Day 1 Highlights at the One Young World Summit 

"If you want to go fast , go alone but if you want to go far, go together." - Kofi Annan

The first day of the summit kicked off with a truly inspiring opening, featuring captivating performances by renowned artists. 

Olympic gold medalist Mark Tewksbury C.C., M.S.M., OLY (he/him) and renowned radio and tv host Isabelle Racicot took over the stage as hosts for the opening ceremony and graced the Bell center with their immense energy.

The ceremony kicked off with Rupi Kaur mesmerizing the audience with her powerful poetry on women empowerment, while Alexander Stewart delivered an unforgettable musical performance, advocating mental health. To top it off, the incredible Cirque de Montréal stunned everyone with their breathtaking acts. We were extremely grateful to also witness an outstanding act by traditional hoop and powwow dancer James Jones (ig handle: notoriouscree) 

The keynote sessions were equally impactful. Literary icon Margaret Atwood delivered a thought-provoking speech on the importance of creating an equitable future for the next generation. This was followed by an enlightening address from environmentalist David Suzuki, who took the audience on a journey through the history of humanity, urging us all to recognize the urgency of addressing climate change.

Day 2 Highlights at the One Young World summit in Montreal  

Day 2 brought powerful discussions and inspiring stories to the forefront. A compelling debate on the representation of Indigenous peoples in politics emphasized that true transformation comes when we blend ancestral wisdom with modern scientific advancements.

James Jones, an Indigenous content creator and artist, shared his inspiring journey on TikTok, where he uses his platform to elevate Indigenous culture and voices.

The day also featured a climate debate led by the legendary David Suzuki, alongside Sue Whiskey, a One Young World Ambassador. Suzuki delivered a powerful message, reminding us that humans are made up of 80% water and are deeply connected to the hydrological cycle. His call to action: treat water with the respect it deserves, as it reflects how we treat ourselves.

The keynote address by Adenike Titilope Oladosu, a global leader in climate justice, was another highlight, driving home the urgency of climate action.

Water and biodiversity are essential to a sustainable future. At L'Oréal , this commitment is clear through initiatives like the closed-loop water system at the Burgos plant in Spain which recycles and reuses 100% of the industrial water used. We had the opportunity to hear Jehanne Fabre and Trevor Shah share the group’s ambitious plans as part of the L'Oréal for the Future project. Their innovative water saver technology, which reduces water consumption by over 80% compared to traditional shower heads, is just one example of how they are leading the way in responsible water use and protecting biodiversity for generations to come.

In recognition of innovation, the Young Entrepreneurs Awards honored Charlotte Mcgee, whose mission is to bring clean, sustainable stoves to every home. Also, Trisha Prabhu from ReThink Technology spoke passionately about the fight against cyberbullying and the importance of protecting mental health in the digital age.

The day closed with a powerful reminder: "If all Indigenous communities were recognized, they would form the third most populous country in the world."

 Day 3 at the One Young World Summit 2024 in Montreal

What an inspiring day it has been delving into discussions around AI and health equality at #OYW24! Today’s sessions demonstrated how technology, innovation, and collaboration are driving real change across the globe.

We kicked off the day with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who emphasized Canada’s pivotal investments in AI since 2017, which led to the development of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). This initiative has since put Canada at the forefront of global AI research, shaping advancements in health, climate, and ethics. 

AI in Action:

Young leaders from around the world showcased how they’re harnessing AI to solve pressing challenges. In Barbados, AI is being used to simulate potential tropical storms, allowing for better preventive measures. Meanwhile, in logistics, AI calculates the best possible routes for transportation using live satellite data, revolutionizing efficiency. 

 Energy Crisis in the Global South: During a powerful workshop on the global energy crisis, we discussed how Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is facing a severe energy deficit, with 759 million people lacking access to electricity. The barriers include outdated infrastructure, geographic distance from the main grid, and the high cost of transmission. One solution? Decentralized energy grids powered by renewable energy, with countries like India leading the charge with its solar mission targeting 300GW by 2030. Solar technology and battery-run appliances may help reduced the dependency on our national grids. 

 Celebrating Changemakers: We also celebrated the winners of the Campaigner of the Year Award, whose dedication to driving positive change is truly inspiring.

Day 4 at the One Young World Summit 2024 

As we conclude this year’s #OYW24, the final day was dedicated to peacebuilding in honor of International Peace Day. It was a truly inspiring and humbling experience, featuring conversations with Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. Their insights on peace, leadership, and the importance of community work were incredibly powerful.

We also had the privilege of hearing from:

Matcha Phorn-in, Lina Khalifeh, and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on reconciliation and recovery from gender-based violence.

Oscar Anderson, who shared his project for making schools more accessible, Project Oscar.

Politician of the Year Award winner Hana Rawhiti, who celebrated with her Māori community in a beautiful performance on stage.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who delivered a keynote on her experience as a political prisoner and her fight for freedom.

The summit highlighted the tireless efforts of young peacebuilders who are working to bring about lasting change in their communities. The energy and passion of these young leaders give hope for a future of fairness, justice, and sustainability for all.

As the summit comes to a close, the journey is just beginning for over 17,000 young leaders who are now part of a global community striving to build a fair and sustainable future.