A star-studded list of global leaders from business, politics, fashion, science and sport will be giving their support to the world’s young leaders at the One Young World Summit 2013 that opens on Tuesday.
The major figures will act as counsellors at the event, working with the 1,300 young leaders from mor ethan 180 countries to address solutions to challenges across fields including education, global business, human rights, sustainable development and transparency.
Lily Cole will be in Johannesburg for the One Young World Summit
One Young World Counsellors play a crucial role at the Summits, addressing delegates and leading plenary sessions tackling the core issues voted for by delegates.
New Counsellors for this year’s Summit include 25-year-old model, actress and social entrepreneur Lily Cole, a champion of humanitarian and environmental causes. Cole is also the founder of an innovative social networking platform that encourages people to offer skills and services to one another free of charge.
Also joining this year’s lineup is Boris Becker, who at 17 became the youngest ever men’s Wimbledon champion, and Francois Pienaar, who captained South Africa to the Rugby World Cup in 1995 at the age of 28.
The current list of confirmed Counsellors include:
(In alphabetical order by surname)
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and managing director of soleRebels
Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General
Boris Becker, former tennis World No.1 and youngest ever Wimbledon champion
Fatima Bhutto, author
Kathy Calvin, President and CEO, United Nations Foundation
Lily Cole, model and actress
Ron Garan, astronaut
Bob Geldof, activist and musician, creator of Live Aid aged 33
Arianna Huffington, founder, Huffington Post
Antony Jenkins, Global Chief Executive, Barclays
Ahmed Kathrada, former political advisor to President Mandela
Elio Leoni-Sceti, CEO, Igloo
Trevor Ncube, publisher, South AfricaMail and Guardian
Francois Pienaar, former South Africa rugby union captain
Paul Polman, Global CEO, Unilever
Hans Reitz, founder, Grameen Creative Lab
Doug Richard, founder, School for Startups
Carole Stone, Chairman, Advisory Board, YouGov-Cambridge
Natalia Vodianova, model and philanthropist
Muhammad Yunus, founder, Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
One Young World Summit 2013 will be the first held in Africa, following previous events in London, Zurich and Pittsburgh. Last month Dublin was announced as host city of One Young World Summit 2014.
David Jones, co-founder of One Young World and Global CEO, Havas, commented:
“One Young World has always been fortunate to have the committed support of some of the world’s most inspiring, influential and generous leaders.
“We are both honoured that so many existing Counsellors are returning for One Young World Summit 2013, and to be able to announce others who will be making their debut in Johannesburg in October.
“The input, mentoring and leadership of Counsellors is a key part of ensuring that One Young World achieves its core aim – helping this incredible and unique generation of young leaders achieve its ambition and potential."