The 2024 One Young World Summit wrapped in Montreal in September, and the organization’s Managing Director Ella Robertson McKay’s vision of empowering young leaders has once again transformed into a tangible reality. The four-day gathering, which brought together over 2,000 delegates from more than 190 countries, has blossomed into a global think tank for future leaders to come together to make a difference today.
These groundbreaking activists gathered to have meaningful discussions about everything from amplifying Indigenous voices to artificial intelligence to progress for a more peaceful world.
“A key message of the summit was optimism isn’t enough,” Ella Robertson McKay says. “You have to have hope, which is really the active part of it. And hope is the antidote to all of it, to war, to climate change.”
Voices of Change: From Local Action to Global Impact
The summit’s impact resonated profoundly with delegates like Linda Miari, a content creator and World Economic Forum Global Shaper, who described the experience as “life-changing.”
“I didn’t anticipate being so deeply moved by every soul I met, every story I heard, every workshop I attended, and every action I witnessed,” Miari reflected, embodying the transformative spirit that Robertson McKay and her team have carefully cultivated.
For United Way delegate Robert Mills-Lamptey from Ghana, the summit represented more than just a learning opportunity. “It’s a fulfillment of a dream,” he shared, emphasizing his eagerness to apply new insights about climate disaster prevention in his home country. This practical application of global knowledge to local challenges exemplifies Ella Robertson McKay’s vision for the summit as an incubator for actionable solutions.
Building Bridges: The Power of Global Connection
The summit’s unique ability to forge meaningful connections across borders and cultures was evident in the experiences of delegates like Mumbai’s Ashwini Sonar. “The impact that we are creating in the lives of thousands of people in India is something I want to showcase,” she noted, highlighting the summit’s role as a platform for sharing success stories and scaling solutions.
Ruth Oladele, attending virtually from Nigeria as a returning ambassador, emphasized how the summit creates ripple effects of opportunity. “I am reminded of how global opportunities change our lives and also position us for more opportunities,” she reflected.
Veronica Torres from New York City found particular value in the health equity discussions, while Jocelyn Clayton from Tulsa, Oklahoma, appreciated the focus on Indigenous voices. “As a member of the Cherokee Nation, I’m particularly excited about this plenary topic,” she shared. “Living in Oklahoma, we have a very interesting history with indigenous peoples. I want to continue the work of making sure their voices are heard in my local community.”
Ella Robertson McKay’s leadership has been crucial in ensuring that the summit maintains its focus on practical outcomes while encouraging an environment of inspiration and hope. Under her guidance, the event has evolved into a powerful incubator for social change, where up-and-coming changemakers acquire the tools and connections necessary to turn their dreams into reality.
When delegates return to their communities as One Young World ambassadors, they carry with them new knowledge and networks, as well as a renewed sense of purpose. “Seeing the results of such significant impacts has inspired me to never give up and to continue doing what’s best for our planet,” Miari stated, echoing the sentiment of hope that permeated the gathering.
‘Making This World a Better Place’
The 2024 Montreal Summit’s success in bringing together such a diverse group of young leaders while maintaining its focus on practical outcomes is a testament to Robertson McKay’s vision and leadership. As Miari noted, “Together, we are making this world a better place” — a simple but powerful affirmation of the enduring impact and Robertson McKay’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of global changemakers.
The gathering’s conclusion marks not an end but a beginning, as these empowered trendsetters return to their communities with fresh perspectives and strengthened resolve. Through Ella Robertson McKay’s continued guidance, One Young World remains at the forefront of boosting global cooperation and inspiring positive change, one young leader at a time.
One Young World Ambassador Emre Caglar, the founder of Youth For Future, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved children in Japan, including those in orphanages, said, “The One Young World Summit was the best experience I have had in my entire life. I have never gained so much inspiration and motivation from anything this much before.”
Ambassador Gunel Aghakishiyeva echoed that sentiment, saying it was the “BEST experience of my life — no post can fully capture the profound impact last week had on me!”
She noted, “A million thanks to One Young World for giving me the opportunity to share space with some of the world’s most influential figures. As a Data Scientist, my most important takeaway from One Young World 2024 was the need to build [artificial intelligence] models that are not only technically advanced but also ethically responsible, addressing both humanitarian biases and environmental impact.”
One Young World ambassador Philip Black looked back on his time at the Montreal summit with immense gratitude.
“The real value of these events is the space to exchange ideas, challenge each other and create collaborations as we all strive to tackle the rising number of global crisis events,” Black said on LinkedIn.
Even entertainment icon Cher had some uplifting words to share on the work she sees these ambassadors doing. “I believe young people have a more developed sense of consciousness,” the superstar said at the summit. “You guys have to band together and become a force.”
