United Nations Foundation and One Young World Announce Partnership to Increase Engagement Around the Sustainable Development Goals

Today, on International Youth Day, the United Nations Foundation and One Young World, the world’s premiere youth leadership forum, took to Snapchat to announce a unique partnership focused on supporting the implementation and success of the Sustainable Development Goals (also known as the “global goals”).

Adopted by UN member states last year, the global goals encourage countries to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The United Nations Foundation’s partnership with One Young World will link together the networks of these two organizations at their respective events through 2017. The purpose: to galvanize the next generation of influencers to support existing initiatives and to inspire new initiatives around the global goals.

The partnership was revealed publicly today in a video montage on Snapchat’s Stories that also signaled the launch of One Young World’s Snapchat channel. The video will remain on both of the organizations’ accounts for 24 hours.

By looking primarily to youth activists to raise visibility and awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, this alliance takes a bold new approach to public engagement. It also marks the joining of a distinct group of supporters, partners, and networks that share a global perspective. Through this partnership, the United Nations Foundation will recognize youth activists and influencers who are leaders in tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges.

“One Young World is our chosen partner for this initiative because of its established network of young people who are active and vocal on the issues addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Aaron Sherinian, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, United Nations Foundation. “These are the leaders and influencers of tomorrow who are already connecting for global good today.”

This partnership officially launched in May in Tucson, Arizona, at the One Young World Environment Summit, which empowered 500 young leaders from around the world to address environmental issues and drive positive change. The partners will next come together at the One Young World Summit in Ottawa, Canada, on Sept. 28, 2016, when young leaders will explore innovative solutions for pressing global issues.

Kate Robertson, Co-Founder, One Young World added: “Too often young people are viewed as the apathetic, naïve and inexperienced class. Yet look closer, and you’ll find not only leaders in the making but young leaders already leading. It’s no coincidence that the world’s most ground-breaking and life changing innovations have been created by people in their twenties.

“One Young World brings together young leaders innovating for a better future from across the world, and never before has there been a more important time for action. Our collaboration with the United Nations Foundation is very much in line with our mission.”

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About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual donors. Learn more at: www.unfoundation.org.

About One Young World International 

One Young World International is a new division of One Young World, the premier global forum for young leaders. It will host a series of expert events throughout the year, gathering 500 young leaders to discuss pressing global issues. The first event was specifically themed on the environment and took place at Biosphere 2 in Tucson, Arizona in May 2016. 

About One Young World

One Young World is the principal global forum for young leaders ages 18 to 30. Established in 2009, One Young World hosts an annual summit attended by 1,300 delegates from 196 countries. No youth-dominated event represents as many countries, outside the Olympics. One Young World is a unique platform for young leaders to network with peers from every country and sector and to share ideas for developing solutions that address urgent global issues.

Following the summit, One Young World Ambassadors go on to deliver initiatives in their countries and communities, often collaborating with other One Young World Ambassadors to develop projects on a global scale. Over 8.9 million people have been impacted by the work of One Young World Ambassadors since 2010, with 2.7 million being impacted in 2015. Unlike any other event, the One Young World Summit gives delegates the kind of media platform afforded ordinarily only to those who lead countries and corporations.

For more information, visit www.oneyoungworld.com.