Dublin’s Docklands will be a busy place next year as the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and the National Convention Centre will host the One Young World Summit alongside Croke Park.
Dublin beat some serious competition including Edinburgh, Hong Kong and Singapore to host the gathering that brings together young people, aged 18 – 30, who have demonstrated leadership potential to debate and formulate solutions for pressing issues the world faces.
“Dublin City and its people will be the perfect host for the 2014 One Young World annual summit,” said the outgoing Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise O Muiri, likely making reference to Dublin’s improved infrastructure such as the Luas, the new extension to the Bike Scheme and Dublin’s reputation for excellent hospitality. “These young people are our future, and hosting such a significant and inspiring summit is of key importance not only for now, but for the future.”
The 2014 summit will examine a number of broad topics including education,
global business, human rights, leadership and governance. The summit acts like a miniature version of the United Nations, with young delegates from across the world debating and formulating policy positions with high profile counsellors such as Bob Geldof or Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey – who last year spoke about the importance of leadership in decision-making.
“I am not surprised Dublin was chosen. We have world class conference facilities in the Docklands with great supporting infrastructure. It will be a great opportunity to showcase the new Dublin in our regenerated Docklands to young leaders from all over the globe,” said Alan Robinson, the CEO of the Docklands Business Forum.
It’s unclear at this point what economic impact the conference will have on the Docklands particularly, but Fáilte Ireland have estimated the economic impact of the conference overall could stand at €3 million. For the 2012 conference, held in Pittsburgh in the United States, VisitPittsburgh estimated the conference pumped $5 million into the local economy through hotel bookings, an increase in local spending and transportation.
The summit gives young people a chance to stand next to world leaders who are influential in making governing decisions. In previous years former US President Bill Clinton spoke about the three biggest challenges facing young people today. Global inequality, global instability and a lack in growth within leading western economies.
“Every topic that can impact on a young person and their lives will be discussed,” says Marie Duffy, the site Editor for youth information website Spunout.ie. “Having a vibrant conference like One Young World is fantastic,” she says.
Latest figures by the Youth Council of Ireland suggest that over 61,000 young people were signing on the dole at the end of April 2013 and 45% have been signing on for a year or more.
The summit will give young people a chance to engage with and rekindle some faith in the political process.
For more information log onto www.oneyoungworld.com
Photos courtesy of One Young World.
By Liam Cahill
