The One Young World Summit is an annual gathering of young leaders. The 2026 edition takes place in Cape Town from 3–6 November 2026. It is meant to connect young leaders with global decision-makers and let them exchange ideas and collaborate on global challenges. The summit draws young leaders, entrepreneurs, activists and policymakers from more than 190 countries. The organisation was co-founded by South African-born advertising executive Kate Robertson. The first summit was held in February 2010.
Participation is not uniformly paid for by attendees. Not every participant receives full funding, but One Young World and its partners offer scholarships and sponsored places for selected young leaders. Scholarships usually cover registration, accommodation and, in some cases, travel. They are awarded through partner organisations, sponsors and the One Young World Foundation. The organisers also describe a local legacy component. It focuses on youth unemployment, with a programme backed by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation to support young South African entrepreneurs attending the Summit.
For residents, the issue is how municipal money is used for major events. Councils often weigh the economic and reputational benefits of hosting international events against direct spending on local services. They also consider who can access the opportunities. Amending a council resolution to add funding and pay the event organiser usually raises questions about transparency, selection criteria and value for money. With the summit about to take place, these questions bear on how local young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, get access to it.
