Belfast will host One Young World Summit 2023
More than 2,000 young people from over 190 countries around the world will experience “something new and very different” when they descend upon Belfast in 2023, according to Sir Bob Geldof.
Following a competitive Host City Bid Process, which included eight candidate cities from across five continents, Belfast has been confirmed as the Host City for the 13th annual One Young World Summit in May 2023.
The global forum for young leaders, One Young World’s mission is to create a better world, with more responsible and more effective leadership. This is achieved by identifying, promoting and connecting the world’s most impactful young leaders, from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact.
Delegates at the annual One Young World Summit are joined by influential political, business and humanitarian leaders – the One Young World Counsellors – including Sir Bob Geldof, President Mary Robinson, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Duchess of Sussex and Sir Richard Branson, amongst many other global figures.
Addressing delegates at the virtual launch of One Young World Belfast 2023 today, One Young World Counsellor Sir Bob Geldof said:
“I love the fact that One Young World 2023 is in Belfast because there’s so much that people in this city can talk about to these younger people: about processes that made two completely different cultures and societies function together; about discovering there is another way of doing things; that there is a future and that talking through subjects actually works.
“Belfast brings to this global conference an experience, an outlook, a perspective, a deep culture, and something new and very different that they won’t have got at One Young World 2021 in Munich this year or Tokyo next year.
“You bring something real and vital and possible. You bring a successful society that still has to negotiate every day with each other to drive forward. They’ve never had that and it’s invaluable.”
Welcoming One Young World Belfast 2023 the First Minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster said:
“I am pleased and proud that Belfast will be hosting this exciting and transformative event which brings together young leaders of the future with those more established on the world stage. It provides an important opportunity for a powerful and productive dialogue across nations and generations and will empower our inspirational young people to be the change they want to see.”
The deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“One Young World Belfast 2023 is fantastic news for the city and beyond as we look forward to welcoming thousands of young people from right across the world.
“It is so important that we hear the voices of our young people and the One Young World event will provide a platform to share perspectives on how we can bring about positive change locally and globally.”
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey said the timing of One Young World Belfast was significant, coinciding with the city’s ambitious new cultural strategy and an unparalleled programme of immersive cultural activity during the year 2023.
“We will proudly showcase to over 2,000 young people from more than 190 countries around the world that Belfast is brimming with talent, potential and youthful optimism - and energy that is driving our city’s resurgence and regeneration,” he said.
“The fact that these young people will take such hugely positive experiences of Belfast home with them will create a long-lasting, global legacy for our amazing city. We’re confident that One Young World will inspire and generate opportunities for our young people, both now and for future generations.”
One Young World Belfast 2023 will be delivered and matched-funded by a range of private and public sector partners and sponsors – including Belfast City Council; Conference Partners International; Connected Citizens; Department for the Economy NI; Department of Finance NI; Education Authority NI; Tourism Northern Ireland; Visit Belfast and ICC Belfast. Opportunities to sponsor and provide in-kind support for One Young World Belfast 2023 will officially be launched in the coming months.
The One Young World Belfast 2023 strategy is led by an Advisory Board and Organising Committee of business leaders from across a range of sectors – co-chaired by Dr Howard Hastings OBE, Managing Director of the Hastings Hotels Group and Conor Houston, Director of Houston Solutions and Founder of Connected Citizens.
