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From a young Indigenous activist moderating delicate peace discussions to emerging Pacific Island leaders fighting ocean exploitation, Ella Robertson McKay sees the future taking shape. The managing director of One Young World has transformed what could have been just another youth conference into a powerful funding engine, equipping nascent visionaries with tools to take on international issues.
“We provide networking, inspiration, mentorship, a platform, and publicity opportunities, and we also provide funding,” Robertson McKay says. “The funding is a really powerful part of what we do. At the moment we do between half a million dollars and a million dollars of funding every year. But we would like that to be tens of millions of dollars in the future.”
One Young World Ambassadors in Action
While One Young World’s annual summits typically attract emerging leaders from over 190 different countries, this year’s partnership with United Way garnered 10 fresh-faced trailblazers focusing on improving everything from health and education to economic issues.
Ashwini Sonar of Mumbai, India, who is passionate about women and child development, is one example.
Emily Slasynski of Edmonton, Alberta, is another One Young World ambassador who is paving a new path for progress with United Way.
“What an absolutely unforgettable experience at One Young World,” Slasynski wrote on LinkedIn. “I knew this experience was going to be incredible before going, however I can now say it was life changing. Having the opportunity to hear from inspirational leaders from across the world, connect with other community change-makers, and dedicating time to explore what our future holds was unbelievable.”
A Commitment to Meaningful Representation
One Young World’s commitment to meaningful representation also manifested at the 2024 summit in Montreal through thoughtful programming. Two keynote speakers from Papua New Guinea emerged from the delegate speaker competition, selected from among 2,000 participants. This achievement highlighted One Young World’s dedication to amplifying voices from nations outside the G20.
The summit addressed urgent world issues through five key themes: Indigenous rights, climate change focusing on water issues, health equity, artificial intelligence, and peace. Ella Robertson McKay notes the transformative impact of including AI discussions, sharing an overheard conversation in which she heard a delegate remark, “When I saw AI on the agenda, I really didn’t think that was for me. It’s completely changed my perspective, and I realized how much it’s going to impact my own work.”
One Young World is currently working to achieve 50% scholarship representation by 2030. This goal serves dual purposes: ensuring access for talented leaders regardless of economic circumstances while enriching the summit’s collective expertise.
The organization’s track record speaks through tangible results. “Our impact report social return on investment is 16 to one,” Robertson McKay shares. “Recently, Hauwa Ojeifo, one of our One Young World ambassadors, who first came to us as a delegate speaker in 2018 and to whom we gave a $10,000 grant in 2020 as part of our COVID fund, received a $20 million grant from Melinda French Gates to distribute to other women leaders to make an impact on gender equality.”
The Power of Hope
What is One Young World’s primary driver? Ella Roberston McKay can sum it up in one word: hope.“We always want our content to be optimistic,” Ella Robertson McKay explains. “We don’t ignore the world’s major issues, but we aim to inspire hope.”
Indigenous leader Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts shared a heartwrenching story during the summit.
Turnbull-Roberts, the Australian commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, shared her personal experience of being ripped from her bed in the night by police officers. She explained in The Guardian, “The primary purpose of removing First Nations children was linked to assimilation processes to ensure First Nations people were wiped out. First Nations women and children, in particular, were a target. Understanding this allows us to understand the current intersection and treatment that First Nations women face today.
“The stolen generations has never stopped. I grew up in a community where my people continue to be disproportionately impacted by the law.”.
Turnbull-Roberts recently accepted the Change Maker of the Year award at the Marie Claire Women of the Year celebration. “This award is for our children and young people, for the future, and for our commitment to conscious choices. In a world trying to silence us, we must remind everyone that silence will not protect you,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post.
“So speak—speak with power, with love, unapologetically, and always remember why you started.
“I’m cheering for you, sis. Invite the ancestors in, they are with us. Always.”
How To Apply To Become a One Young World Ambassador
Up-and-comers seeking to make a global impact have until Dec. 8 to apply for the prestigious One Young World coordinating ambassador program. These vital positions help connect and engage with more than 18,500 ambassadors worldwide who, since 2010, have touched over 50 million lives through initiatives.
Applicants must be previous One Young World Summit attendees and demonstrate strong relationship-building skills, fluency in English, and dedication to spending three to four hours weekly advancing regional initiatives. Selected candidates will serve from January 2025 through December 2026, coordinating activities ranging from local meetups to volunteer projects across regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific.
The program offers substantial benefits, including fully funded attendance at the One Young World Summit, specialized leadership training, and membership in a close-knit regional team. Coordinating ambassadors gain hands-on management experience while organizing events, contributing to newsletters, managing social media, and identifying outstanding members for recognition through the ambassador spotlight program. Interested candidates should submit their applications through the online portal for consideration, with selected applicants advancing to informal interviews.
In addition to selecting a fresh batch of One Young World ambassadors for the upcoming year, Ella Robertson McKay shares that she’s looking forward to the next summit.
“So excited to share that One Young World will take place in the incredible city of Munich next year,” Ella Roberson McKay wrote in a post on LinkedIn.
