Over the years, One Young World has had some seriously aristocratic speakers, including the Duchess of Sussex and Queen Rania of Jordan. The two humanitarians both appeared at One Young World summits, and they’ve never been shy about expressing how much they value the organization’s work.
The former Meghan Markle delivered the opening ceremony speech to kick off One Young World’s Summit in Manchester, England, as her husband, Prince Harry, proudly looked on from the audience.
“You are the future, but I would like to add to that that you are also the present,” Meghan said at the 2022 event. “You are the ones driving the positive and necessary change needed across the globe now in this very moment.”
The actress turned duchess first got involved with One Young World in 2014 when she attended the summit held in Dublin. This event marked her initial participation as a counselor, where she joined other leaders and influential figures in discussions and workshops aimed at addressing international issues.
“It was in 2014 that I was first invited to be a counselor at One Young World,” Meghan shared. “In many ways at the time, I was probably a lot like each of you — young, ambitious, advocating for the things I deeply and profoundly believed in, and also looking around and wondering, ‘How on earth did I get here?’ Have any of you had that feeling — that pinch-me moment?”
Meghan recalls the breathtaking moment when she and 20 to 30 other One Young World counselors stood among prominent world leaders.
“There I was, the girl from Suits, and I was surrounded by world leaders, humanitarians, prime ministers, and activists I had such a deep and long-standing respect and admiration for, and I was invited to pull up a seat at the table. I was so overwhelmed by this experience. I think I even saved my little paper place card that said my name on it. Just proof that I was there and proof that I belonged.”
Most people can empathize with Meghan’s experience of struggling with nerves and wondering if she even deserved to be there.
“I was so nervous, and I doubted myself, and I wondered if I was good enough to even be there,” Meghan recalled. “And what I was doing in the world, albeit important and meaningful as far as I saw it but was I deserving of having a seat at this table? But One Young World saw in me what I wanted to see fully in myself.”
Meghan really wanted to drive the point home that One Young World helped her realize her own potential.
“They saw in me just as I see in you the present and the future,” Meghan explained. “And I reiterate that point because oftentimes, we speak to young adults about the years ahead, about what you’ll do, about what you’ll have to adopt, to fix from previous generations. And also, what legacy you will leave.
“But too often, we neglect the point that you’re doing it now. You’re here, in this present moment — this is where it’s all beginning. I am incredibly humbled not to just stand before each of you, but to stand beside you. Your time is now. The important work can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Queen Rania Offered Wisdom Through One Young World
Rania is another world icon who delivered an elevated message of hope through the London-based organization.
The education advocate and human rights leader spoke at One Young World’s summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2023. Visiting refugee camps throughout Jordan, Greece, and Bangladesh and working as UNICEF’s first eminent advocate for children, Rania has been doing her part to pave the way for peace. The royal isn’t afraid to address hard-hitting issues in the financial, public health, and climate crisis sectors.
“Young people like you already understand the power of collective action. And the work you are doing as One Young World ambassadors is proof that determined people can have impact,” she said. “Every project you undertake, in a way, is its own peace process. Each is cause for just a little bit of awe. A hope kept flickering for a better tomorrow. A miracle in the making.”
While Rania acknowledged it wouldn’t always be easy, the optimistic queen said it would be worth every minute.
“As you gather as One Young World, here’s what I want you to remember: To make lasting progress against the problems we face, we must devote not only every ounce of our strength, but every ounce of our time,” she added. “And there will be moments when that feeling of awe casts a shining light over everything, and gives us the fulfillment we need to fight another day.”
The Summit has been supported by a slew of royal dignitaries over the years: In 2018 Queen Máxima of the Netherlands opened the Summit in The Hague, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway were also early supporters.
The Work Continues
One Young World co-founder Kate Robertson says the organization aims to find the most inspiring people to present to youths. This year’s summit, which will take place Sept. 18-21 in Montreal, will once again unite youths from over 190 countries and feature speakers including Margaret Atwood, Dame Jane Goodall, Professor Sylvia Earle, Cher, and United Way Worldwide CEO and President Angela F. Williams, with more speaker announcements due soon.
“This was the concept, that we would find people like that who brought a special thing to the table,” Robertson says of speakers such as Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, and Mohammad Yunus sharing their message on behalf of One Young World.
“Those people really matter. So it’s really trying to elevate the position of young people to say, ‘The world sees you and sees you as being just as important as anyone.’ But what has been gratifying over the years was seeing with these people who are giants how much One Young World mattered to them.”
While the summit is only four days, Robertson emphasizes the work never actually stops. “It’s constant,” she confirms.
