Blogs

Ecuadorian Ambassador, Francisco Pancho Abad on creating his Social Business “Social Media for Change (SM4CH)”

I never imagined the true impact that social media could have until I saw it in action e.g. when the Arab Spring happened. I realised that I needed to use this powerful tool to help others in countries like my own. This was especially encouraging now that I was far away from home, unable to serve the people of my country directly like I used to do while in high school. This led to the idea of using social media to teach democratic principles to people in both English and Spanish!

Ambassador from the United States, Erin Ponsonby on her inspiration to join the Food Revolution

In the spring of 2012 I entered the Thought For Food Challenge, a global competition designed to encourage young people to “challenge the status quo” and create innovative solutions to one big question: How do we feed 9 billion people by 2050? My team and I were ecstatic (I really can’t emphasize enough how excited we were) when we learned we had won one of two winning spots and a trip to the One Young World Summit in Pittsburgh.

Marit Ernesti, Ambassador from the United States, and international tax manager at KPMG, explains how she’s joining the Food Revolution.

Healthy... Organic... Clean Eating…Everywhere we look there seems to be a nutrition-related buzz. This Friday, May 17th, Norway celebrates its Independence, I celebrate my 28th birthday, and the world celebrates Food Revolution Day - A day where communities, big and small, will come together from around the world and celebrate the beautiful diversity of fresh food, cooking, and good eats.

Ambassador from Belize, Alberto Matus on his experience taking part in one of the Kofi Annan Dialogues: Live pilots.

I was recently fortunate enough to be selected to directly engage with one of the most distinguished leaders of our time, Kofi Annan. Thrilled and overjoyed, I had to seize the opportunity and make the most of it. It reminded me of the excitement I felt when I was chosen to represent my country at the 2012 Summit in Pittsburgh.

Kenyan Ambassador, Calvin Jodisi on founding his organisation Change Mind, Change Future.

After attending the One Young World Summit 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland I was inspired. I learned so much, especially about leadership and social entrepreneurship. Above all, it inspired me to give something back to my society. I met amazing young people from around the world who encouraged me to dream big and to think outside the box.

Ambassador from Nigeria, Isaiah Owolabi on what we should do to fight malaria.

Over the last decade, the world has made major progress in the fight against malaria. Since 2000, malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25%, and 50 of the 99 countries still affected are now on track to meet the 2015 World Health Assembly target of reducing incidence rates by more than 75%. But we are not there yet.

Ambassador from Mauritius, Karuna Rana on Tunza Acting for a Better World that she co-authored for the United Nations Environment Programme.

So, today is the International Mother Earth Day, a.k.a. Earth Day, which makes me curious to know: Have you ever wondered about the current state of the environment and what it implies for us, both presently and in the future? By now, you must have heard about how our climate is fast changing, and that we humans are responsible for it. Maybe you assume that environmental issues will resolve them self, and that everything will be okay, at least in your lifetime. Or you have probably concluded that we are already doomed, so you might as well maximise your use of environmental resources as long as they last. Obviously, you could also be one of the few (but rapidly growing number of) individuals working towards improving the state of the environment.

Ambassador from Sri Lanka, Nilukshi Cooray on overcoming communication issues and how she established her foundation, WeCare.  

For some people, I am perfectly fine other than I stammer once in a while. However, for some other people, I am a woman with a speech and language disability and for myself; I am a woman but not just another woman.

One Young World Ambassador from Albania, Enika Bushi tells us about being selected for All Bar None and her experience at last year's Summit.

When I first applied to be a All Bar None candidate, I had been working on bringing the Wake Up Call to Albania. I rejoiced when I was contacted by the One Young World team telling me that I had been shortlisted and soon found myself gaining full sponsorship to represent my country; Albania, at the 2012 Summit.

Building on confidence, self-belief and providing a little bit of inspiration is all a young person needs in order to give them the drive to go out and join the working world!