Regent Global has committed $250,000 to celebrate and accelerate the impact of young leaders who are preventing and resolving conflict around the world.
The world is watching in fear as a new era of conflict spreads, multiplies, and deepens, driven by identity, ignorance, and inequality.
Established institutions and actors are perpetuating its causes rather than solving them. Meanwhile, the consequences are devastating for many of the most vulnerable communities around the world.
This Award has been launched to recognise the young leaders who are tackling conflict at its roots and creating unity within and between communities torn apart by divisions.
Regent Global and One Young World will identify ten young leaders as finalists for the award, based on their demonstrated impact:
Providing solutions to end or prevent conflict at a local, national, or regional level
Increasing awareness and understanding between communities through dialogue and education
Preventing the outbreak and escalation of violence within and between communities
Empowering and protecting the rights of marginalised and oppressed groups
Implementing sustainable peacebuilding measures to prevent the re-emergence of conflict
From the ten finalists, an independent expert judging panel (to be announced at the 2026 Global Unity Dinner hosted by Regent Global on 26 June) will select the inaugural winner of The Pankaj Award to End Conflict.
Background
Professor Selva Pankaj and Dr Tharshiny Pankaj arrived in the UK as teenagers and refugees, fleeing the civil war in Sri Lanka. When they met in 1996, they bonded over shared values, a passion for education and a deep desire to give back. They proceeded to found Regent Global, through which they have led more than 25 years of educational innovation and excellence.
Deeply influenced by the personal impact of the Sri Lankan Civil War, and observing the rapid escalation of longstanding conflicts and the emergence of new ones, Selva and Tharshniy are proud to launch this award and funding programme that will help young leaders rebuild unity in communities, foster peace in the face of division, and end conflict.
Benefits
Funding: one young leader will be selected by an independent judging panel as the winner of The Pankaj Award to End Conflict, receiving $100,000 to accelerate their work to end conflict. All other finallists will receive funding, ranging from $10,000-$50,000 in support of their respective intiaitives.
One Young World Summit, Cape Town 2026: all finallists will receive fully-funded scholarships to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026, Cape Town, South Africa which takes place from 3 - 6 November.
Network: as well as forming a collaborative international cohort of young leaders working to end conflict, all finallists will receive lifetime membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, a global network with 20,000+ members in 190+ countries.
Award Overview
Applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 35 years of age*
- Be leading a registered non-profit organisation, social enterprise, or purpose-driven company
- Be responsible for direct decision-making authority within their organisation/company
- Be available to participate in the One Young World Summit from 3-6 November 2026
* Most delegates who participate in the One Young World Summit are between 18 and 35. The One Young World team will consider candidates who are older than 35, pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage. We are not able to accept applications from those who will be aged under 18 at the time of the Summit (3-6 November 2026.
Applicants and their initiatives will be assessed based on:
- Track record of impact in resolving and/or preventing conflict at a local, national, or global level
- Plan to use funds to scale the scope and depth of their impact
- Collaboration with affected communities in the creation and delivery of their solution/initiative to end conflict
- Sustainability of the solution/initiative in preventing the re-emergence of conflict
All finallists will receive:
- Funding from $10,000 - $100,000 to invest in their work to end conflict
- A fully-funded place to attend the One Young World Summit Cape Town, South Africa from 3 - 6 November 2026.
- Travel to and from Cape Town (flights in economy).
- Hotel accommodation in Cape Town in a private room between 2 - 7 November 2026 (inclusive).
- All meals covered (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on conference days).
- Lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, a global network with 20,000+ members in 190+ countries.
Round 1 Applications: 11 April - 15 June
Round 2 Applications: 28 June - 03 July
Award Selection: August
Award Presentation: 03 - 06 November