Partner Update

Visa Applications

We ask all partners to ensure that Delegates requiring visas are reminded to do so as soon as possible. We are aware that in some cases, only an ETA is required: We would still encourage attendees to apply now as the eTA is valid for 1 year and will cover the duration of the Summit.
Additionally, some Delegates have faced issues scanning their passports on the ETA portal. If this becomes the case, then there is enough time for them to submit their application via a visa application center or embassy if needed.

South African Municipal Elections: 2026

The 2026 South African municipal elections take place on 4 November. Participants in the One Young World Summit who are registered to vote outside of Cape Town will not be able to vote from Cape Town.

Summit participants who cannot vote from their usual polling station on 4 November should apply for a Special Vote through the Electoral Commission.

Special Votes can be cast at participants' ordinary polling stations on 2 or 3 November. As the Summit’s opening Ceremony takes place on the evening of 3 November, we recommend that participants apply to cast their vote on 2 November. Applications to vote via Special vote open on 21 September and close on 12 October. Visit the Election Commission website to complete an online application.

Forest Whitaker

Artist, UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, Founder and CEO of Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative

Viola Davis

EGOT Award-winning Actress, Activist, Producer, Philanthropist

Gillian Anderson

Award-winning Actress, Author, Entrepreneur and Advocate

Terry Crews

Actor, Human Rights Activist and Presenter of America's Got Talent

Ciara

Multi-platinum and GRAMMY-winning Global Superstar, Acclaimed Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Cultural Icon

Danai Gurira

Award-Winning Actress, Playwright and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador

Dia Mirza

Award-winning Actor, Green Entrepreneur, Founder of One India Stories, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and UN SDG Advocate

Nomzamo Mbatha

Actress, Executive Producer, Humanitarian, and Qualified Accountant

Shudufhadzo Musida

Humanitarian, UNFPA Global Champion for Women and Girls, Author, Mental Health Advocate

Adot Gak

Top Model and Refugee Advocate

1. Agriculture and the Global Food Crisis

What will it take to achieve food security for all?

Agriculture lies at the heart of global food security, yet the world is still far from ensuring that everyone has enough to eat. According to the most recent United Nations data, between 713 million and 757 million people were undernourished in 2023, that’s roughly 1 in 11 people globally, and 1 in 5 in Africa.

2. Intelligent Jobs

How can AI power opportunity for the next generation?

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of work, offering both challenges and opportunities for the next generation. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs analysis, AI and related technologies could lead to the creation of 170 million new jobs globally by 2030, while displacing an estimated 92 million roles

3. Gender Based Violence

How do we prevent the physical, sexual, and mental abuse of women and girls?

According to a 2025 United Nations report,
around 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or
family members in 2024, which equates to an average of 137 victims every day.

4. Future of Africa

Group photo of OYW staff and affiliates announcing and celebrating the 2026 Cape Town Summit

How do we make this the 'African Century'?

Africa stands at a pivotal moment where its demographic dynamism and economic potential could define the African Century. The continent’s working-age population is rapidly expanding; by 2043 Africa’s labour force is expected to nearly double from current levels, making youth employment creation critical for sustained growth.

5. Peace and Security

How can young leaders restore diplomacy to end the cycle of violence?

Peace and security remain central challenges in a world where violence and conflict affect millions, especially young people. Today’s generation is the largest in history, with over 1.2 billion individuals aged 15–24, and in regions like Africa around 60% of the population is under 25.

Rohitesh Dhawan

President and Chief Executive Officer, International Council on Mining and Metal

Mteto Nyati

Chairman, Eskom

Helen Seibel

VP & Head of Community and Employee Giving at BMO Financial Group

Professor Bonang Mohale

Chancellor, University of the Free State, and Former President, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), and Professor of Practice, Johannesburg Business School

Thebe Ikalafeng

Founder and Chairman, Brand Africa, Founder and CEO, Brand Leadership Group, Chancellor, Sol Plaatje University

Khalid Bomba

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Development Sovereignty Group

Session Five - How to be a One Young World Ambassador

15 to 24 September 2026

The critical-month session as registration pressure begins to peak.

Session Six - How to prepare for Cape Town

15 October 2026

Final session before Cape Town

The last structured touchpoint before the Summit itself.

Session One - How to be an effective and ethical leader

28 May 2026

The series begins here. This is the main pre-Summit launch touchpoint and sets the tone for the rest of the learning journey before Cape Town. Delegates will explore:

What is the Global Leadership Charter?
How to build leadership principles with the One Young World Ambassador Community

Two live options are available so delegates can join at the time that works best for them.

Session Two - How to tackle the world's most pressing challenges

24 June 2026

Momentum builds after launch and keeps delegates engaged once the first session has landed. Delegates will look at:

What are the plenary challenges
Understanding One Young World with Kate Robertson
Explore intersectionality in social impact with our Ambassadors

Session Three - How to maximise your skills and strengths

30 July 2026

This interactive session will explore how building meaningful connections can become a powerful leadership skill. Through self-reflection and peer discussions, Delegates will:

Identify their communication strengths
Learn how to build authentic and trusting relationships across cultures
Develop practical tools to communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and kindness

Session Four - How to create impactful collaborations

26 August 2026

A useful check-in once logistics and internal planning start to feel more real.

Delegates will explore the practical skills of collaboration and how working together can help them scale their impact. From this, Delegates will identify and build the approach to collaboration that best suits their leadership style.

Graça Machel

Women’s and Children's Rights Advocate, Former Freedom Fighter and First Education Minister of Mozambique, co-founder of The Elders

Professor Muhammad Yunus

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate,

Justice Albie Sachs

Human Rights Lawyer, Anti-apartheid Activist, and Former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa

President Juan Manuel Santos

Former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Tawakkol Karman

Yemeni Journalist, Human Rights Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Sir Bob Geldof

Musician, Entrepreneur and Political Activist

Vladimir Kara-Murza

Russian Politician, Author, Historian, Documentary Filmmaker and Former Political Prisoner

Evgenia Kara-Murza

Russian Human Rights advocate, Democracy Campaigner and Public Speaker

Justice Edwin Cameron

Retired Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and LGBTQ+ Rights Pioneer

Lord Peter Hain

Former Anti-apartheid Campaigner and Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

Professor Thuli Madonsela

Director, Centre for Social Justice, Stellenbosch University and Founder, the Thuma Foundation for Democracy Leadership and Literacy

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

British-Iranian Author and Former Hostage

Her Excellency Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi

Minister of Youth Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau

Best-selling Author, Mental Health Advocate, Television Host

Dr Benedikt Franke

CEO, Munich Security Conference

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony in 2026 will take place at an iconic venue in Cape Town, the Green Point Athletic Stadium. It will serve as the perfect stage to showcase the talent and diversity of the One Young World Community.

Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony will be at the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa and a key landmark in Cape Town’s early history.

Core Summit Venue

Our Delegates, VIPS, and attendees will spend a transformative three days at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Africa’s leading convention centre located in the heart of Cape Town, playing host to a series of presentations, panels, workshops and networking events.

Evening Social Programmes

The evening social programmes will take place at Cabo Beach Club on 4 November and Oranjezicht Market on 5 November, showcasing the best of Cape Town.

Francois Pienaar

Former South African Rugby Captain and Founder of MAD Leadership Foundation

Rio Ferdinand

International Football Star, Pundit, and Founder, Rio Ferdinand Foundation

Tatjana Smith

Olympic Champion, World Record Holder and South Africa's Most Decorated Swimmer

Temba Bavuma

Captain, South African National Cricket Team, and Founder, Temba Bavuma Foundation

Akani Simbine

South African Sprinter and Olympic Medalist

Tendai Mtawarira

South African Rugby Star and Chairman Of The Beast Foundation

Mark Tewksbury

Canadian swimmer

Visa Guidance

Official guidance for entry requirements, invitation support, and the main visa planning steps ahead of travel to South Africa. Delegates can access letters of invitation and guidance from within the Community Platform too.

Branding Opportunities

Decks for exhibition, stages, and sponsorable items

Sales close: 28 August 2026

Exhibition Deck

Interactive Stage Deck

Sponsorable Items Deck

Delegate Speaker Applications

Delegates have the opportunity to speak at the One Young World Summit, and they can apply through the Community Platform on the link below. Delegates will need to be registered to access the Community Platform and application

Deadline: 28 August 2026