Belfast will play host to global leaders across the business, social, and humanitarian sector when it hosts the One Young World Summit for the first time later this year.
As the most international youth conference in the world, One Young World is a global community for young leaders working to accelerate social impact.
It offers them a unique chance to connect and network with over 2,000 other young leaders from more than 19 different countries.
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One Young World 2023 will be held at various iconic venues across the city including the SSE Arena and ICC Belfast alongside evening social programmes at a selection of well-known city venues, showcasing Northern Ireland's thriving food and drink scene.
The annual One Young World Summit has taken place in ten different cities across the world, from Bangkok to Bogota. Past summits have featured Justin Trudeau, Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Emma Watson.
Among those speaking at the 2023 Summit will be musician and activist, Sir Bob Geldof; Former President of Ireland and Chair of the Elders Mary Robinson; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus; NBA basketball player Enes Freedom and business leader and campaigner, Paul Polman.
The four day event from Monday, 2 October - Thursday, 5 October will also mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement by bringing young leaders from across the globe to Belfast.
One Young World delegates will hear from key architects of the Good Friday Agreement, such as former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition Monica McWilliams, amongst others.
Delegates will participate in four transformative days of speeches, workshops and networking and throughout the Summit, they are counselled by influential political, business, and humanitarian leaders.
Once the Summit is over, delegates graduate as One Young World Ambassadors and return to their workplaces and communities with the means and motivation to make a difference.
Since 2010, One Young World Ambassador projects have impacted the lives of over 35.8 million people. Beyond the Summit, they'll gain lifelong access to a community of over 15,000 individuals.
Alongside access to four-day of content delivered by world leaders and industry experts, One Young World’s leadership award programmes - including Politician of the Year, Journalist of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year - recognise and promote the valuable work of impactful young leaders.
Ella Robertson McKay is the Managing Director of One Young World, a UK charity which serves as a global community for young leaders.
"It's very exciting to be bringing the most international event in Northern Ireland's history to Belfast later this year," she told Belfast Live.
"One of the reasons we're coming here is to look back on all that has been achieved here since the Good Friday Agreement but also to look forward to the next 25 years of peace. Young people are so crucial to the next stage in Northern Ireland.
"This is a great opportunity to inspire them by having this incredible international experience while also keeping them motivated to keep going. Young people who are doing great things in their communities deserve proper recognition."
Many One Young World delegates are top performing professionals, sent to attend the Summit by forward thinking managers who see the need for talent development.
Ella added: "Everyone who comes to the Summit has a track record of impact such as young politicians, journalists, scientists or midwives."
Scholarships also provide the opportunity for exceptional young people to attend on the merit of their proven leadership and ability to create change in their home country.
You can find out more about this year's event in Belfast here. To find out more about how to attend the One Young World Summit either in person or digitally please follow this link.
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