Thailand will host the Summit in 2015, when 1,300 young leaders will gather in Bangkok, before the baton is passed to Ottawa for the 2016 Summit.
Bangkok and Ottawa beat off strong competition in the bidding process, which also included submissions from Hong Kong and Kobe, Japan.
The successful cities will welcome young people from almost every country in the world – in a gathering that brings together more nations than any other major event with the exception of the Olympic Games.
The successful bid from Bangkok set out a vision for a spectacular One Young World Summit, including a flotilla procession down the Chao Phraya River and water and light shows at iconic landmarks such at Wat Phun, with the Closing Ceremony held at the Royal Palace at Sanam Luang, a venue usually reserved for the Royal family.
The Bangkok big team was led by One Young World Ambassador Pearly Ingkakul along with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thai Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Thai Airways and other key figures from the Bangkok business community.
Ottawa’s selection will see the main Summit sessions take place at the Ottawa Convention Centre, located on the Rideau Canal, and The National Arts Centre will host the Opening Ceremony. Performers, musicians and local residents will line a blue carpeted walkway through the city to welcome the delegates with the Closing Ceremony held in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of History. Delegates will explore Ottawa, taking part in special workshops at the National Gallery and the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health.
The bid was submitted by Ottawa Tourism, supported by the Government of Canada, Mayor Jim Watson and Canadian businesses. One Young World Ambassador Antoine Pouliot also played a crucial role in rallying fellow Ambassadors behind the bid.
Alongside delegates the host cities will welcome the One Young World Counsellors who have in recent years included: Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan; activist and musician, Sir Bob Geldof; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus; founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington; Sir Richard Branson; Unilever CEO Paul Polman and Barclays CEO Antony Jenkins.
One Young World co-founder Kate Robertson said:
“With every One Young World Summit we hope to push the boundaries of what is possible, to ensure that we continue to be the premier gathering for young leaders globally.”
“We were honoured to see the outstanding ambition of the host city proposals from all cities but Bangkok and Ottawa went above and beyond in outlining their plans, which capture the spirit of One Young World."
“We are confident that they will do justice to the hard work that has been put in by previous host cities, who have all had the unique opportunity to share their international, diverse and youth-driven cities with the world."
SOURCE One Young World
