OTTAWA, Canada – The seventh edition of the One Young World Summit is set to take place in Ottawa from 28 September – 1 October. The global gathering will be held at the downtown Shaw Centre and at other impressive locations throughout the capital city. It is the first time that the summit has been held in Canada and is the latest in a series of major international events to be hosted by Ottawa.
One Young World was founded in 2009 as a UK-based not-for-profit organisation that gathers together the brightest young people from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change. They stage an annual summit where the most valuable young talent from across the globe are joined by international companies, NGOs, universities and world leaders. One Young World delegates are all aged 18-30 and are people that have demonstrated leadership ability and a commitment to effecting change for the good. They will meet and debate with ‘Counsellors’, who are made up of prominent speakers from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and media.
The Shaw Centre and Rideau Canal, Ottawa
Last week Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson announced the details of an impressive opening ceremony that will take place on the lawn of Parliament Hill, as well as the names of this year’s high-prolife Counsellors. They will include the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Sir Bob Geldof, Cher and the Nobel Peace Prize winning Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. The themes chosen for the 2016 summit are Education, Environment, Global Business, Health, Human Rights and Peace and Security.
In July 2014 Ottawa won the right to host the 2016 One Young World Summit after a competitive bidding process. The Canadian capital was selected thanks to its world-class infrastructure, range of quality accommodation, premier exhibition space and outstanding entertainment and cultural attractions. The staging of the One Young World Summit comes at a poignant time for Ottawa, as the city prepares to host a mammoth, yearlong celebration in 2017 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of modern Canada.
