The 2019 'One Young World' Summit returned to London for its 10th Anniversary

# tags: Events , London

Event Point’s International MICE Correspondent Ramy Salameh attended the inspirational ‘One Young World Summit 2019’ and discovered how the meetings industry creates the platform for the next generation of young leaders working to accelerate social impact.

"In a more polarised and divided world, how can we help change that a little" stated Bob Dudley, CEO of BP, during the opening stages of the 'One Young World' 2019 Summit in London; this was taking place on one side of Parliament Square at the QEII Centre and Central Hall Westminster, whilst tension, uncertainty and division over Brexit continued on the other, in the House of Commons. This proximity was not lost on the speakers or the audience, with Sir Bob Geldof referring to it during his impassioned speech during the evening session of first day speakers. 

The annual 'One Young World' Summit brings together some of the brightest young talent from over 190 countries from all sectors of life, industry and culture; the summit is a platform to discuss global issues and impact social change through innovative solutions. They are being designed and implemented by the next generation of young global leaders right now.

The meetings industry provided the springboard for the summit, bringing together a cluster of the capital's best venues to stage this important event. These included the QEII centre, used as the nerve centre of the operation, where everything from registration, panel discussions, workshops, exhibition stands and catering took place; next door in 'Westminster Main Hall' the keynote speeches were delivered to a packed house. Other venues incorporated in the event included the ‘Royal Albert Hall’ for the opening ceremony, followed by dinner at the Natural History Museum, with proceeding dinners at several locations across the square mile and Westminster. 

Ahead of the summit, delegates are provided with the OYW2019 App, from which the framework of the entire event was available via their smartphone. The 2000 plus delegate list could be accessed, offering up plenty of networking opportunities during the summit. Also, the App had the full agenda across the four-days with the ability to make and save notes directly into the App, whilst keynote speakers perform. 

The founders of the summit – David Jones & Kate Robertson – have from the start in 2009, been able to involve a roll-call of eminent and influential figures from the political, social and humanitarian spectrum. This year has been no different with a vast array of inspirational speakers and an unprecedented number of CEO’s who have included Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, Biz Stone co-founder of Twitter and many other big-hitters .

The summit is about creating action from dialogue and examples of this were expressed by many partners. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for BMW AG explained how the company operates the ‘BMW Accelerator – Business for Purpose’ an initiative which asks employees to come up with ideas, which BMW can do much better and with more meaning. The founders of the best ideas get to present them at One Young World.

The Duchess of Sussex attended the Opening Ceremony and held a round table discussion on gender equality at Windsor Castle. Maria Juliana Ruiz, First Lady of Colombia, whose private sector supported the attendance of delegates from each of 32 states of her country; she pin-pointed this support through dialogue and partnerships that have been created pre and post the summit when it was hosted in Bogota in 2017. 

Dr Jane Goodall, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace talked about ‘light, hope and the indomitable human spirit to create green, clean energy for the future’. She was followed by singer songwriter Ellie Goulding who crafted a speech centering on the unwarranted backlash on climate change activists and celebrity activists who maintain their view whilst having a carbon footprint.

The 11th Summit of ‘One Young World’ moves onto Munich in 2020.

For more information go to: https://www.oneyoungworld.com/
 

Photo credits: Ramy Salameh