Over 2,000 young leaders from across the globe gathered in Montreal for the 14th annual One Young World Summit, joining luminaries like Sir Bob Geldof, Queen Rania of Jordan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. The event, which took place Sept. 18-21 in Montreal, brought together delegates from as far away as Papua New Guinea to discuss pressing global issues and foster collaboration. Legendary entertainer Cher added star power to this storied summit, discussing animal conservation efforts with anthropologist and primatologist Dame Jane Goodall.

Peace Talks Dominated the Summit

The gathering placed a strong emphasis on peace-building initiatives. Kate Robertson, co-founder of One Young World, highlighted a groundbreaking panel that united Israeli and Palestinian voices. “We’re here to develop young leaders responsible for shaping the future of our world. Part of that responsibility includes being alive to the reality of genocides and violence that is unfolding and understanding the role and importance of the international community, as well as learning from the experiences of those most closely affected in order to understand where we go from here,” Robertson says. One Young World is also working with the Fratelli Tutti initiative, inspired by Pope Francis, which promotes universal brotherhood.

“Our mantra, which was there at the 2023 summit in Belfast [Northern Ireland], is that peace is possible. If it was important then, it’s 28,000 times more important today,” Robertson states, referencing the ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Israel, and Ukraine. “Our work is not to take positions on these conflicts, but encourage our young leaders to actually step forward to say, ‘I have a vision for peace.'”

Kate Robertson says there’s a sense of unity within a global community, especially within these up-and-coming change-makers. “There’s an understanding at One Young World,” Robertson reiterates. “For all the differences of geography and language and culture, the values held are universal. The values are the same.”

An Inaugural Indigenous Youth Day: ‘These Young People Carry the Pride and Wisdom of the Ages’

The summit introduced its first-ever Indigenous Youth Day, a dedicated space for over 60 representatives from Indigenous nations worldwide to come together. This was followed by a half day at the main conference focused on amplifying Indigenous voices to the broader audience.

“We were deeply honored to partner with our Indigenous Youth Council and local communities to create space for Indigenous youth to connect and share their wisdom,” Kate Robertson explains. “Their stories hold valuable lessons that can guide us all toward a more inclusive future.”

Robertson highlights the importance of incorporating Indigenous voices into the wider discussions: “By dedicating a half day of the main conference to Indigenous perspectives, we wanted to emphasize the crucial role these young leaders play in shaping global conversations. Their insights and leadership are essential in addressing today’s most pressing challenges.”

Montreal’s summit truly offered a loudspeaker for Indigenous voices that have been silenced for centuries. Some of the sessions this year included “Indigenous Voices: In Conversation With Our Delegate Speakers,” “Indigenous Creators on TikTok: The Power of First-Person Storytelling,” and “Indigenous Insights on the Seventh Generation Principle,” which is a concept that every decision we make, we must consider how that will affect seven generations into the future.

Indigenous performance artist James Jones — also known as Notorious Cree on TikTok and other social media platforms — shared his powerful tale of longing for belonging in a society where he largely felt invisible.

“I felt like I never truly belonged in any of these spaces or these institutions,” Jones said during the TikTok panel. “TikTok or social platforms like that really gave us a space to just be who we are. Be proud of who we are.”

Kate Robertson: ‘Nothing Like One Young World Outside of the United Nations’

Robertson’s passion for One Young World’s mission shone through as she discussed the unique aspects of the summit. “The whole world in one space does matter,” Robertson says. “It’s as exciting as it ever was. The emotion and the inspiration level are the same.”

The summit’s ability to assemble diverse voices and facilitate meaningful dialogue sets it apart. Robertson states, “The fact is if you don’t see what peace might be, if you don’t believe that peace is possible, guess what? Violence is going to continue.”

The summit also featured powerful speeches from renowned figures. Robertson recalls The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood’s opening address, exclaiming, “She walked up to the microphone and she said, ‘My name is Margaret Atwood, and I write books,’ and the roof came off the Bell Centre.”

It was a magical moment among a host of memories over the years. Robertson admits the work gets more meaningful for her as time marches on.

“I just sit there and I’ll go, ‘My God. This is even more important than I thought,’” she says.

The One Young World Summit continues to serve as a platform for young leaders to connect, learn, and drive positive change.

“We always have this focus on action,” Kate Robertson emphasizes. “Don’t just talk about it. What are you actually going to do about it? What solution can be worked on today? Have you done something? All of our senior keynote speakers kept repeating to me, ‘These young leaders are extraordinary.’”