#oyw2015

[sppceu]

OYW 2015

By Radka Pudilova,  SPP Alumni (MPA’15)

Radka  at OYW2015

A week ago, the most international gathering after the last Olympics happened.

I usually tend to avoid clichés but when you attend a gathering of young people from over 190 countries and speakers including Kofi Annan, Nadya Tolokonnikova, and Muhammad Yunus, it is hard to get rid of them completely.

This year’s One Young World Summit was hosted in Bangkok and was closely tied to the upcoming climate talks in Paris (#CallOnCOP campaign) as well as the newly introduced Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provided an island of free speech in a country where people are sent for an “attitude adjustment” when their actions are perceived as a threat by the country’s junta. The young Thais certainly took full advantage of the offered free space and confronted their leaders and other speakers with questions and remarks on democracy, corruption, education, human rights, and accountability.

Mohammad Yunus addressing the audience and calling for rethinking economy.

They were not the only brave young people taking central stage. In each of the six plenary sessions a speaker delegate was selected presenting his or her cause. My personal favorites? Noam Shouster talking about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJngm-YmEOo), Lina Khalifeh on self-defense and female empowerment in the Middle East (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdGonZBMRQM), and Hussain Manawer in Rising Stars session (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eccSodoQ2uA from 10:50 cca.).

Bangkok covered in posters and billboards advertising the event 

OYW is simply the place to be. It is the best networking chance one can ever have – if you are looking for people working on issues such as human trafficking or just want to know more about corporate social responsibility, your contacts will be there. If you are looking for new ideas to implement, people to challenge your worldviews, or if you simply need to regain motivation – you will find what you need. The Summit is overwhelming, fast-paced, and demanding. For public policy students, professionals and enthusiasts it is a must.

Kamolnan Chearavanont, talking about Thai government's failure regarding human trafficking

You can watch recordings of the session at One Young World’s Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/OneYoungWorld/videos .

Feel free to contact me if you want to know more! (pudilova_radka@alumni.spp.ceu.edu)

[zaynadaconde]

Just a ribbon from a thai delegate in the closing ceremony of One Young World 2013... #OYW #OYW2015 🌍➡🌏 She's done her best to bring the premier global young leader summit to Bangkok, and she made it perfectly #BKK 👍 This true story taught me that "there is nothing that we can not achieve, just do your best" #thanks #Pearly #BMA

[youngkingsolomon]

Our humble 3 Step proposal to President Buhari to help Nigeria live up to our obligations come Paris COP next month #OYW #OYW2015 #SustainableNigeria I'm humbled. (at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre)

[zaynadaconde]

It's already 4 days until that day we met. From stranger to Friend. Thanks for another of my experiences. #oyw #OYW2015 #BKK #volunteer #Exhibition #myteam #missya (at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre)

[zaynadaconde]

We are Exhibition team ✌✌ #OYW2015 #OYW #BKK (at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre)

[zaynadaconde]

What can I help you? What meeting are you attending? Do you want coffee or tea? Anything is okey? All the question I ask, I do really care #oyw #OYW2015 #volunteer (at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre)

[zaynadaconde]

The biggest awesome #oyw opening ceremony is coming on this evening at the royal park (Sanam-Luang). Welcome you guys again to the Land of Smile and hopefully, you will have the perfect time here in #BKK. Especially, the thai food and beverage are super ready for everyone to taste and fall in love with. #OYW2015 #Exhibition #Food #Beverage #ME (at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre)

[zaynadaconde]

Welcome all the youth leader to Bangkok, Thailand for attending One Young World Summit 2015 #oyw #OYW2015 We, on behalf of Bangkok people, OYW Ambassador and OYW Volunteer, guarantee you that the most perfect beautiful summit already been ready to welcome you amd impress you all #bkk #oywvolunteer (at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre)

[zaynadaconde]

Countdown to One Young World Summit 2015 at BANGKOK !! Just 11 days left... welcome to the city of smile. 🌏 let's make the world be one, one young world 🌏 #OYW2015 #oyw #Bangkok #seeyou (at One Young World Bangkok)