Ambassadors in Action: 5 key takeaways

1. “Take responsibility” - Ankit Garg

Ankit Garg is involved with several NGOs in India, working towards the promotion of education and employment for visually impaired people.

Growing up in rural India with a severe visual impairment, Ankit fought through an education system that underserved him to earn his position at Standard Chartered. After attending the 2015 One Young World Summit in Bangkok, Ankit was inspired to leverage his experience and position at Standard Chartered to support young people with visual impairments. Upon his return from the Summit, Ankit led a partnership between the bank and India’s largest NGO working with blind people; it stands to empower 8,000 children. The initiative has been adopted for a second phase and will increase its impact threefold by 2018.

He encouraged the auditorium, “When you go back, find a responsibility - it is up to you.”

 

2. Change is a choice, and leadership is waiting for you

Initiating change is a choice, says Tala Dajani, Global Senior Brand Manager for Reckitt Benckiser.

Following the 2016 Summit, Tala worked with an international team of One Young World Ambassadors at RB, Tala created Impact Now, a global purpose-driven movement. The initiatives of Impact Now include a global Purpose Council, a new employee volunteering programme (GIVE TIME) and an Impact accelerator. Impact Now is a company-wide programme that impacts RB's 40,000+ employees globally.

She said they have successfully changed their business metrics, from the “Return on Investment” to “Return on Purpose.”

"There is no single roadmap to launching a global movement,” she said “and whichever you take, the road will not be an easy one.”

She pleaded to the crowd to take steps to make a difference in the world, to benefit consumers and society.

She added, "Change is a choice. Leadership is waiting for you."

 

3. Understand your passion

Ben Griffiths and Lewis Smith from Johnson & Johnson, addressed the need to find a passion within your company, as key to make impacting change.

Following the 2014 Summit in Dublin, Ben and Lewis launched the Youth Health Parliament, the UK’s first cross-sector healthcare think tank led by young people for young people. Supported by Johnson & Johnson and a coalition of other organisations, YHP’s inaugural recommendation papers were presented at the UK Houses of Parliament in 2016.

They called upon the delegation to start something positive and expressed the importance to do something useful and impactful. Understanding what your passionate is about and why, is the driving force to taking action, according to Ben and Lewis.

Lewis said, "Imagine if we all started something positive today. Imagine the kind of impact that could have across the globe"

Lewis added, “Don't just wait for permission to act, because it may never come.”

 

4. Turning inspiration into action

Kaleigh Killoran, Business Development Analyst in GE’s Financial Management Program

After the One Young World Summit 2015, Kaleigh created several global teams (mostly comprising of One Young World Ambassadors) to support GE Foundation-selected social entrepreneurs with the creation of sustainable business models that tackle some of the world’s toughest global health challenges.

She addressed three main points for action to the delegation.

Firstly to “stop searching, start creating," regardless of your skill and background, to make an impact.  Reach out to organisations and start by improving something, she says. Secondly, to find synergies to increase usefulness and develop your skills. Lastly, to leverage the One Young World brand within organisations, who are inspired to make a difference now.

She urged the delegation to communicate with inspiring speakers and ask them how they can contribute to their initiatives.

 

5. Never give up, and make yourself the change

Building impact into your job is the key to success, says Noureddine Tayara, of L’Oreal. He urged the delegation to never give up and to demonstrate passion for a cause.

He said, “Make a change - don’t give up.” He pleaded to the crowd to become the go to person in your company, change business models, make that product - as changes are in our hands.”

He added, "Do not give up because of failure - doors might close but show persistence."

The result of his dedication is L’Oreal Biolage’s R.A.W Shampoo and Conditioner, product lines that put sustainability at the heart of the product and campaigns and which have become  L’Oréal’s first ever cradle to cradle certified sustainable product line, made with up to a 100% natural formula and 100% post-recycled packaging.

 

This article was written by Elinor Jane Stephens. She is a Magazine Journalist, trained at the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies (JOMEC). 

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