Year-Long Countdown Begins For Planning of 2012 One Young World International Leaders Summit in Pittsburgh

The co-founders of One Young World, the premier global forum that brings together young leaders to discuss global issues and develop solutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century, officially passed the baton for hosting the 2012 Summit to the city of Pittsburgh Wednesday with a ceremony held in Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office.

Pictured from left: One Young World
co-founders David Jones and
Kate Robertson; Mayor Luke Ravenstahl; 
Greg Babe, president and CEO, 
Bayer Corp.; Sy Holzer, president, 
PNC Bank Pittsburgh. (PRNewsFoto/One Young 
World Pittsburgh Partnership)

The baton passing event also kicked off the year-long planning count-down to the Oct. 18-22, 2012 Summit. Planning for the event will be spearheaded by the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership, a consortium of local companies, non-profits and community organizations that first worked together to secure Pittsburgh's designation as host city, and now will help ensure a successful U.S. event. Efforts will also be guided by a newly announced Corporate and Community Executive Committee and Young Leaders Committee, helping shape conference plans and secure support for the Summit.

"Pittsburgh is the right venue for the third annual One Young World Summit." Ravenstahl said. "There are a lot of lessons to learn here. We are a city transformed – re-making our steel region into a center of medicine, technology, science and finance."

David Jones, co-founder of One Young World and global CEO of Havas and Euro RSCG, said it has been clear throughout the bid process that "Pittsburghers are passionate about their city – from the world-class cultural and education institutions here – to the sports teams and community events.

"The city's reinvention reflects its energy and vision, and serves as an ideal backdrop for the passion of One Young World, which gives a voice to today's young leaders who are driving positive change for our global community."

Jones was joined by One Young World Co-founder Kate Robertson, group chairman of Euro RSCG, who had previously visited Pittsburgh during a scouting trip and commented on the passion of the city.

"The Pittsburgh community is full of heart and has a legacy of collaboration among groups to accomplish common goals," Robertson said. "This collaborative spirit is represented through Pittsburgh Partnership leadership committees, who are striving to make our world and local communities a better place by creating a world that reflects our youth's values."

Greg Babe, president and CEO of Bayer Corp., and Sy Holzer, president of PNC Bank Pittsburgh, were named as chairman and co-chairman, respectively, of the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership Executive Committee. The Young Leaders Committee will comprise many members of the Pittsburgh delegation who attended the 2011 Zurich Summit in early September.

"The Young Leaders Committee relies on the valuable learning and firsthand working knowledge its many members acquired at the second annual Summit," Babe said. "They've been sharing ideas since they returned about what inspired them and enhancements they can contribute to the summit next October here in Pittsburgh."

Holzer added, "Pittsburgh's vitality and young spirit will be reflected in next year's summit. In collaboration with One Young World, Pittsburgh starts planning today to welcome the world with open arms."

The Young Leaders Committee was represented at the Baton Passing event. Juli Kundu, staff associate for UPMC, who attended One Young World 2011, said, "The experience at the One Young World Summit was inspiring and life-changing, and it is a wonderful opportunity for Pittsburgh and the U.S. to serve as host to the diverse and dedicated young global community next year."

Founding members of the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership are: The Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, VisitPittsburgh and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Bayer USA Foundation and Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) are also members of the Partnership.

Information about the Partnership's efforts and opportunities for support of the 2012 Summit can be found by "liking" the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership on Facebook, following @OYWPittsburgh on Twitter and visiting the website at http://oneyoungworldpittsburgh.com.

Affectionately dubbed by CNN as the "Young Davos," One Young World is a global young leadership development forum, which convenes the best and brightest young leaders in their 20s from corporate and non-profit sectors around the globe to address and identify solutions to the same issues that world leaders tackle every day – including global business and health, the environment, a changing media landscape and interfaith dialogue. The delegates pass resolutions during the Summit, and return home with steps to implement them.

In September, during the second-annual Summit held in Zurich, Pittsburgh was announced as the host city for the 2012 event, and is expected to host as many as 2,000 emerging leader delegates and world-renowned counselors. Counselors at the Zurich event included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Norway Crown Prince Haakon, singer and songwriter Josh Stone, celebrity cook and nutrition activist Jamie Oliver, and Google Executive and 2011 Time 100 Most Influential People Wael Ghonim. For more information, visit http://oneyoungworld.com.

SOURCE: One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership