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Kate Robertson beams when she talks about One Young World’s summits. She co-founded the youth leadership organization with David Jones, and the duo just hosted their 14th gathering, this time in the storied city of Montreal.
“I felt that more than ever, we are absolutely getting things right with what we’re doing,” says Robertson. “The whole world in one space does matter, whether it’s the Olympics or One Young World. It really does matter. It’s as exciting as it ever was. The emotion and the inspiration level is the same.” This convergence of cultures and ideas, she believes, is crucial for addressing planetary challenges.
The inclusive event unites up-and-coming change-makers from every country on Earth to nurture a powerful narrative on pressing global issues. Robertson lauds the summit’s unique ability to unite diverse voices in a single space. This year brought together icons such as Cher and primatologist Dame Jane Goodall, The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood, Queen Rania of Jordan, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman, and other iconic individuals.
Through the years, One Young World has celebrated some breathtaking moments with speeches by the Duchess of Sussex, human rights activist Desmond Tutu, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and other noteworthy names.
This time around, having legends like Cher speak with Goodall about animal rights was a highlight for the One Young World founder.
“Cher just loves to be there because she wants to talk about the elephants,” Kate Robertson shares.
More Highlights From Kate Robertson
Robertson joyfully reflects on other peak moments. “Queen Rania, fabulous. Even better than Belfast,” Robertson says, referring to the peace speech the royal delivered at last year’s event in Northern Ireland. “Margaret Atwood at the opening. Oh my God. And so funny. And there were so many moments like that where you went, ‘whoa, whoa.’
“Our mantra, which was there at Belfast, is that peace is possible,” Robertson adds. “If it was important then, it’s infinitely more important today because of what’s unfolding in Palestine, Israel, and also Ukraine, Sudan and the other conflicts which are unfolding so brutally. But our work is not to take up positions on these conflicts, but to encourage our young leaders to actually step forward.”
Kate Robertson says she was delighted to be part of the Fratelli Tutti session with Maria Ressa, CEO of Filipino news site Rappler, and Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman. Fratelli Tutti is a letter from Pope Francis urging people to foster genuine connections, care for one another, and build a more just and loving world.
“That’s the next great global leader,” Kate Roberson says of Ressa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 fighting for freedom of the press. “This woman is just tiny in stature, but she’s a giant on the world stage.”
Another core memory emerged for Kate Robertson during Karman’s closing keynote address.
Karman, the first woman from the Arab world to win the Nobel Peace Prize, delivered the closing keynote. She’s a journalist and human rights activist who founded the organization Women Journalists Without Chains, which advocates for rights and provides media skills to journalists.
“I think Tawakkol is correctly described as a firebrand,” Robertson reveals. “She’s a passionate leader who literally was the leading voice in unseating leadership in Yemen. She’s a great believer in democracy and the people.”
During her speech, Karman opened with a blessing. “Peace be upon all of you. I’m so happy to be here for the third time. I’m so proud for every young person attending this very important gathering. It is not just a summit for talk. It is a summit for those young people who will be the leaders of the future.”
It’s leaders like Karman that remind Kate Robertson of the impact One Young World is making.
“That kind of passion and the depth of thinking behind the passion is really quite a remarkable thing to see,” Robertson says. “And she feels very much that she has worked to do still. She’s very committed, as are Maria [Ressa] and I, to the whole peace is possible discussion, and wants very much to be part of that.”
Global Perspectives
Indigenous representation also formed a significant part of the summit’s program. Robertson acknowledges the crucial role of Indigenous voices in global conversations: “The role of the Indigenous peoples in protecting our planet cannot be underestimated.” she adds. “If indigenous communities, particularly in Pacific Islands, survive then the whole world survives.”
The summit’s commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives was evident in its first-ever dedicated Indigenous Youth Day event on Sept. 17.
Robertson saysthe gathering focused on concrete solutions. “We always have this focus on action. Don’t just talk about it, what are you actually going to do about it? What is the solution? Are you doing something? Have you done something?” she posited.
Next Stop, Munich
With the Montreal summit wrapped, Robertson is already gearing up for the next event, which is scheduled for November 2025 in Munich. It will take place at iconic venues like the Olympiahalle in the historic Olympic Park, with themes likely to include responsible technology, innovation, peace, and security.
Robertson believes that One Young World plays a crucial role in fostering this hopeful outlook among passionate trendsetters. By bringing together diverse voices, facilitating meaningful dialogue, and focusing on actionable solutions, the organization continues to inspire and empower the next generation of global changemakers.
“We want to shine a spotlight on the work of young leaders whose initiatives may otherwise be overlooked,” Kate Robertson says.