Desmond Tutu to address One Young World

Now in its second year, One Young World is reportedly the world's first global youth leadership summit, which brings together delegates aged 25 and under (a "young Davos") from around the world, combining the social power of the internet with the energy and ideas of global youth to address the most challenging issues of today. The summit will be held in Zurich on 1-4 September.

Archbishop Tutu joins other leading figures including Muhammad Yunus, Sir Bob Geldof, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Fatima Bhutto to act as counsellors to One Young World ambassadors, as they address some of the most challenging issues facing the world today.

Wael Ghonim, the Google executive credited with spearheading Egypt's revolution and Oscar Morales, the creator of the One Million Voices against FARC Facebook campaign, have also been confirmed as counsellors. They will draw attention specifically to the role of social media and Internet technology in driving revolutionary change.

"Young people are changing the world"

This year, over 1200 young leaders, representing 181 countries, will come together to discuss their vision of the world that they will inherit. Roughly, 30 young South Africans will be representing the country at One Young World 2011.

Unlike any other event in the world, One Young World gives young delegates the kind of media platform and access to world figures ordinarily afforded only to those who lead countries and corporations. The summits facilitate global debate around the ideas and resolutions of the delegates and the consequent initiatives and action are monitored and recorded.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said, "I was inspired by the energy, ideas and dynamism of the wonderful young people I met in London last year and I am delighted to be attending the second gathering of these individuals in Zurich this year. Young people are changing the world in which we live at an incredible pace and it is important that we listen to the young leaders of tomorrow and encourage them to address the problems in the world today."

Since the 2010 summit the One Young World ambassadors have been effecting change on a global level - including the presentation of The Missing Millennium Development Goal to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and launching the first African Student leaders Summit as well as over 100 environmental and education projects around the world.

For more information, go to www.oneyoungworld.com.