Since 2013, the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences has been supporting students to attend the prestigious summit designed specifically for young leaders to focus on global issues, which this year includes access to education, disability rights, migration, peace and reconciliation, poverty alleviation and economic development. These issues align closely with the teaching and research which takes place across the Faculty.

Sophie, who is this year’s winner of the Faculty’s competition which had a record number of 66 entries, commented: "I am so excited to have been selected to represent the University of Bath at the One Young World Summit, and am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity of a lifetime. I have been following Emma and Mohammad's journey's upon their return from Ottawa last year, and have big plans of my own in order to deliver as much impact as possible including running a One Young Bath conference in 2018. I hope this will benefit those who weren't as fortunate to be selected, and give others the opportunity to experience and learn about OYW and the positive impact they have in social development.

"Attending the summit is a fantastic opportunity for personal development and enables me to gain networking skills and knowledge from some leading academics and influential individuals, such as Kofi Annan, Emma Watson, Bob Geldof and many more! I am excited about what’s to come and hope you follow my journey and are inspired to promote social change."

Last year’s delegates, Mohammad Lone and Emma Powell, returned from Ottawa and were inspired to produce their own One Young Bath event in March 2017 attended by over 70 students, and included speakers from the international event and the University’s academic experts.

Emma returns to the summit this year as UK Co-ordinating Ambassador, a role she was successful in acquiring upon her return from last year’s summit. The role involves keeping the UK ambassadors motivated between summits, organising social and virtual events and information gathering for the head office.

Emma has been as part of a working group with other ambassadors creating a toolkit for organisations to help identify and support employees affected by domestic abuse, which will be launched at the upcoming summit in Bogotá. Talking about her experience, Emma said: "I knew attending Ottawa 2016 would change my life, however since returning I feel in some ways it has become my life! I love being involved with planning and attending events, meeting new people and having the chance to build friendships and working relationships. I cannot imagine a future without One Young World, I hope to be working with them for many years to come.”

Highlights from the Bogota Summit will be shown on campus enabling students from all faculties to experience some of the keynote sessions, along with the opportunity to network and socialise after the event. This will take place on Tuesday 17 October, free tickets are available online.

A series of One Young Bath events will take place throughout 2017-18, including an exclusive screening of the film ‘Borders and Promises’ followed by a Q&A with the film’s producers on 07 November. Free tickets also available online.

Follow Sophie and Emma’s experiences on the One Young World blog and on Twitter: @OYWBath.