This Saturday’s One Young World Conference, hosted at the University through its Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, is an opportunity for young people to make their voices heard on issues of peace and security, global education and business responsibility.
Among speakers at the event, delegates will hear from Fatima Zaman from the Kofi Annan Foundation who will launch her ‘Extremely Together’ initiative – a new toolkit aimed at tackling extremism.
Other contributors include final year Politics and International Relations student, Alex Polkey, who back in 2014 became the youngest speaker at a One Young World event.
Speakers from industry will address what role business can play in supporting global development and fostering social good. These include Bath alumnus Tom Fairburn who, inspired by a love for Africa and a passion for enterprise, set up The Baobab Network helping to develop start-ups in sub-Saharan Africa.
Each year One Young World hosts a global Summit in a world city. University students Emma Powell and Mohammad Lone attended last year’s event in Ottawa and have been heavily involved in organising the event in Bath.
A life-changing experience
South West Coordinating Ambassador for One Young World and Education and Psychology student at the University, Emma Powell, said: “I knew as soon as I was accepted to go to One Young World that it was going to change my life. What I couldn't predict was the scale on which it would.
“Since Ottawa I have wanted nothing more than to bring the magic back home, to Bath. I hope this event will motivate people to believe in positive global change in the way that One Young World's summit inspired me last year. I am so excited to share this passion with those at Bath, I am incredibly proud to be a part of One Young World and hope my fellow students will be too.”
Co-organiser and Economics student Mohammad Lone said: "Part of the magic of One Young World is the collaborative, community spirit that is fostered among the various young people who attend, from all different walks of life. People leave with a sense of optimism, believing that the numerous challenges facing the world can be overcome, through working together with others. With One Young Bath, we hope to bring some of this spirit back to campus, to our vibrant group of students and academics and the wider community as well."
Breaking down barriers
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Professor David Galbreath added: "The ethos of One Young World aligns neatly with that of our Faculty in developing and nurturing the leaders of the future who can affect positive change. This kind of event really helps to break down barriers, showcasing the innovative and exciting ideas our young people have, and we are delighted to be supporting it."
The One Young World forum is open to young people aged 18-30 from all around the world. At the annual Summit young delegates mix with an array of politicians and social activists. The strong partnership between the University and the organisers means the University of Bath is the only university in the world that has consistently sent student representatives to attend its annual event since 2013.
Applications for current students from the Departments of Economic, Education, Health, Politics, Languages & International Studies, Psychology; and Social & Policy Sciences to attend this year’s Summit in Bogota are now open http://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/apply-for-the-one-young-world-summit-2017/.
Follow our One Young World blog via http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/one-young-world/.