Today Johannesburg will welcome 1,250 young leaders from 190 countries as the One Young World Summit 2013 kicks off with its Opening Ceremony at the FNB Stadium.
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The representatives of the world’s youth are being joined by a host of One Young World Counsellors: global figures who are committed to promoting youth issues. Counsellors attending the Opening Ceremony include Kofi Annan, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Bob Geldof, Lily Cole, Ahmed Kathrada and sports stars Ashwin Willemse and Boris Becker.
Soccer City – the stadium where the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was played – will host not only the One Young World participants but also 8,000 students from schools in Soweto. The students will all have the opportunity to meet with One Young World delegates and ask them questions about their countries which range from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
Key-note speeches will be delivered by Kofi Annan, Sir Bob Geldof and Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Soweto Gospel Choir and South African soul-sensation, Lira, will also perform.
One Young World Ambassador and TV talk show host, Katlego Maboe will act as the master of ceremonies, helping co-founders David Jones and Kate Robertson welcome the world during the Flag-Laying Ceremony. The Ceremony will see delegates present their countries’ flags to the One Young World Counsellors, symbolising that world coming together to work towards positive change.
The Summit will wrap up on Saturday after a whirlwind of panels, Plenary Sessions and workshops that will address Education; Global Business; Human Rights; Leadership & Government; Sustainable Development, and Youth Unemployment.
