Francois Pienaar launches the One Young World Summit in Dublin

One Young World Counsellor and former South African rugby captain, Francois Pienaar appeared at Trinity College Dublin today to launch the One Young World Summit 2014 which takes place in the city from 15 – 18 October.

The former South Africa captain said:

[[[image-0 medium right]]]‘I am delighted to be here to officially launch the One Young World Summit that is coming to Dublin in October.  To be involved in last year’s Summit in Johannesburg was an amazing experience.  The energy of the Delegates, Ambassadors and Counsellors exemplified what is so special about One Young World.  These young people are making positive change happen, they are not waiting for someone to tell them they can do it, they are going ahead and doing it on their own.  We saw that first hand in South Africa last year and you will see it again in Dublin this year.’

Pienaar unveiled a mural above the main entrance to Trinity College, by acclaimed young Irish artist Joe Caslin. Joe works with local community youth groups and schools in disadvantaged areas. In making this mural he worked with young men from the Pearse Street area and Tullamore.  Having worked with young men across the country to create large scale drawings the mural is a continuation of his work focused on Our Nation’s Sons.  

The mural is themed Looking for Leadership and depicts young Irish men pushed to the edges of society, who now need to be empowered and given a sense of belonging.  This is something that Caslin hopes to address at the One Young World Summit in October.

[[[image-1 medium right]]]Explaining the parallels between his work and that of One Young World, Caslin commented:

‘A drawing on this scale has the power to pull a passer-by from the mundane and the power to gain real social momentum.  This is exactly what One Young World aims to do, to disrupt the usual way of thinking and solve global problems by thinking differently.  Many young people in this country are looking for leadership and hope. Organisations like One Young World give young people that vehicle to effect positive change in their countries.’

The fifth Summit will mark a milestone year for One Young World. Bob Coggins of the Dublin Bid Committee called on the city to rally behind the event come October saying:

‘It is not just a global Summit, it is a festival across the city and we want everyone to be involved, businesses large and small, educational institutions and NGOs. Everyone has a role to play to make the 2014 One Young World Summit great.’

The One Young World Summit in Dublin is expected to attract more than 1,200 delegates from a record 196 countries.  

If you are aged 18 - 30 and are interested in applying to attend the 2014 Summit, click here. If you are an individual or organisation interested in sponsoring young leaders to attend, click here to learn how.

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Trinity College Dublin