The University of Bath last Saturday marked a decade of the One Young World Bath Forum, celebrating the University’s partnership with global youth leadership organisation One Young World. The flagship student led event featured speakers, interdisciplinary workshops, and the presentation of an Honorary Degree to Kate Robertson, Cofounder and CEO of One Young World.
Bath is the organisation’s longest-standing UK university partner, a relationship that began in 2013. The partnership has supported annual student delegations to global summits and built a thriving leadership network on campus.
The Forum centred on three interconnected themes: Responsible Technology, Health Inequality and Educational Empowerment – each explored through keynote talks, panel discussions and workshops.
Speakers included innovators and advocates working across AI and digital platforms, global public health and education equity, with sessions focused on translating global insights into local and international action.
Bharat Pankhania, Mayor of Bath, discussed his mayoral theme ‘Education is Empowerment’, and the research partnership established to investigate the theme with the University.
The Forum concluded with the award of an Honorary Degree to Kate Robertson in recognition of her leadership, global impact and longstanding support for the University’s One Young World community.
Kate Robertson said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this degree from the University of Bath. This recognition is especially meaningful because Bath graduates and students are such an integral part of the One Young World community.
“The University’s commitment to nurturing responsible, values-driven leaders continues to inspire all of us at One Young World. I look forward to welcoming many more Bath students and alumni into the One Young World network, and to seeing them in Cape Town later this year as we work together to drive measurable impact on the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Khushi Sikand, a member of the organising team and one of the University’s delegates at One Young World 2025, said: “The 10th anniversary of One Young World Bath was truly one of our proudest moments. We were honoured to have Kate Robertson and Ella Robertson McKay join us and inspire us with their powerful and encouraging words. It was also a privilege to welcome Lord Michael Hastings and the Mayor of Bath Bharat Pankhania, whose motivating speeches added to the significance of the day.
“It was incredibly rewarding to see all our hard work come together to create something so special. We are deeply grateful to our speakers, attendees, and our committee whose support and dedication made this event what it was.”
Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, said: “Experiencing an event like this makes you feel much more positive about the future. Seeing people of different ages, cultures and backgrounds come together to discuss issues in an open and respectful way is something you couldn’t need more than now.
“It’s notable the University of Bath engaged with the One Young World movement early and now has a longstanding relationship that enriches our community. That speaks to the student-centred, education-focused culture at Bath which helps people to thrive.”
He added: “We heard a lot about recognising and affirming the potential in others and providing leadership as a service to society. Kate Robertson embodies the value of empowering others to succeed and thrive. She is a very deserving recipient of an honorary degree, and we are proud to recognise her.”