Kate Robertson Reflects on 14 Years of One Young World’s Success

The power of bringing the world together in one space grows more potent than ever, according to One Young World’s Kate Robertson, who co-founded the organization with David Jones.

Reflecting on the nonprofit’s 2024 Montreal summit, featuring appearances by Cher, Sir Bob Geldorf, and many other notables, Robertson shared her perspective on why these global gatherings continue to spark transformation among up-and-coming leaders.

This year’s monumental Montreal gathering brought together over 2,000 delegates from more than 190 countries for four days of inspiring speeches from notable figures such as The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. It also opened doors for priceless networking opportunities and the chance for budding change-makers to take their newfound knowledge and apply it to their communities in every corner of Earth.

"More than ever, we are making a real impact with what we're doing," Kate Robertson shares. "Bringing the whole world together in one space matters—whether it’s the Olympics or One Young World, this unity truly makes a difference. It’s as exciting as it’s ever been."

Robertson pointed to the caliber of global figures who participated, including Queen Rania of Jordan and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "These are people who, let's face it, have got a big call on their time and they were there and they weren't just there doing a 15-minute stint on stage. They stayed."

The 2024 Montreal Summit marked several milestones, including the organization's first Indigenous Youth Day. "These young Indigenous people carry the pride and wisdom of the ages," Robertson said. "It was a real honor to partner with them to bring Indigenous wisdom, particularly around climate and biodiversity, to our global audience."

Robertson emphasized the deepening importance of One Young World's peace-focused initiatives amid current global conflicts. "Our mantra, which was there at Belfast in 2023, is that peace is possible. If it was important then, it's infinitely times more important today because of these atrocities unfolding in the Middle East, and also Ukraine, Sudan, and other conflict zones around the world."

In the Words of the Ambassadors

The very heartbeat of One Young World’s mission is its fresh-faced participants. This year’s batch of ambassadors are enthusiastically sharing their experiences across social media platforms from LinkedIn to Instagram to TikTok. 

One Young World shared a quote on its Instagram page from Ambassador Linda Miari, who is a refugee activist. Miari shared, “I didn’t anticipate being so deeply moved by every soul I met, every story I heard, every workshop I attended, and every action I witnessed. Seeing the results of such significant impacts has inspired me to never give up.”

Miari also shared a post on her LinkedIn page celebrating her experience at the summit. “I want to thank One Young World for the outstanding work you’ve done. Thank you for being our voice and giving us the courage to speak up.

“I can’t wait to see the lasting impact of this summit throughout the year. It is an honor to be a One Young World ambassador. Together, we are making this world a better place.”

Filipino politician and opinion columnist Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo was another proud One Young World 2024 Montreal Summit attendee. 

“Last month, I had the privilege of attending One Young World Indigenous Youth Day in Montreal, Canada, as an Impact AI Scholar of The Brandtech Group,” Lamentillo shared on LinkedIn. “There, I spoke with over 100 Indigenous youth leaders from across the globe. What struck me was how universal the experience of language endangerment is. Every leader — from North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond — confirmed that their native languages and cultural identities are at risk.

“This is not a localized problem; it’s a global phenomenon. Just as AI transcends borders, the erosion of our linguistic heritage knows no boundaries either.”

Ensuring every voice is heard is a central part of Kate Robertson and One Young World’s agenda.

“We are proud to work with many impressive First Nations and Indigenous One Young World Ambassadors and Counsellors who spoke so eloquently at #OYW24 about their history, lived experiences, and the work they are doing,” Kate Robertson reposted from One Young World on LinkedIn. “We call on the One Young World community to play their part in ensuring Indigenous voices are heard in global decision-making. It is up to all of us not to repeat the mistakes of the past, so that Indigenous young people everywhere grow up in a fair and equal world.”

Kate Robertson: ‘Focus on Action’

The event’s success stems partly from its focus on actionable solutions rather than theoretical discussions. "We always have this focus on action. Don't just talk about it —- what are you actually going to do about it? What is the solution?" Robertson explains. 

Montreal provided an ideal backdrop. "Montreal traditionally is called Tiohtià:ke, which is the Indigenous people's name for Montreal,” Robertson says. "Canada, a peaceful country, has welcomed us before. A country that has values that our whole global community espouses wherever they live."

Looking toward future summits, Robertson remains committed to encouraging connections across generations and cultures. Her vision for One Young World centers on building bridges and inspiring action. "The direct impact and measurable outcomes—those are what I always want to highlight. We're not even a month out from the summit, but the results will speak for themselves. The deliverables will truly be there," Kate Robertson emphasises.

"With the summit back in full swing and free from unnecessary distractions, I could feel that we were operating at the level we needed to be," she adds.