With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility – to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings. And, if I’m lucky enough, to inspire
then Meghan Markle now HRH Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex was a global leader prior to joining the royal family. Prior to joining the royal family Meghan was a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur and she is most famous for being UN advocate for women in political leadership. Raised to be a global citizen, Meghan has long used her global platform to advocate for others. Whether with UN Women or One Young World or World Vision the former Meghan Markle made it a point to use her platform for good.
Surrounded by today’s generation of impactful young leaders, The Duchess of Sussex attended the 10th Annual One Young World Summit Opening Ceremony at the @RoyalAlbertHall in London along with 2,000 young leaders from 190+ countries. This is her third time in attendance as a counsellor for these extraordinary young leaders from around the world, and her first time attending as a member of The Royal Family and Vice President of The @Queens_Commonwealth_Trust. Her Royal Highness was a counsellor for OYW in Dublin in 2014 as well as in Ottawa in 2016.
When I was asked to be a Counsellor at One Young World my response was a resounding ‘yes’. One Young World invites young adults from all over the world who are actively working to transform the socio-political landscape by being the greater good. They are Delegates who are speaking out against human rights violations, environmental crises, gender equality issues, discrimination and injustice. They are the change.
the then Meghan Markle now HRH Duchess of Sussex on the TIG
Duchess Meghan continues to champion the causes such as empowering emerging leaders and youth leaders. It is this authentic quality that so many like about the Duchess. She is still championing the same causes she did before she was a princess. Offering a hand up and a hand held to emerging. Lifting emerging leaders as she climbs .The Duchess again joined world leaders and activists to celebrate the youth of today as they tackle some of the world’s greatest problems. She was proud to attend as Vice President of The Queens Commonwealth Trust and to continue her long-standing commitment to this very important summit. After all leaders produce leaders.
In order to empower others you have to be secure in yourself. Meghan does not fear sharing the spotlight with other leaders. She knows what she brings to the table; the insights and the perspectives that contribute to positive outcomes in local communities. How many royals would share the spotlight with others?
One Young World focuses on championing leaders who deliver solutions to some of the world’ pressing problem. They recognize that leaders need to be nurtured and mentored by those with a proven track record of achievement. Counsellors and Panel participants at One Young World include the following: former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, CEOs of Barclays, Unilever & Wikipedia, Mark Pollock, Boris Becker, Dame Ellen MacArthur, James Chau, Bob Geldof, and the former Meghan Markle now Duchess of Sussex. This the reason that OYW attracts mentors with real achievement. You cannot get into this gathering of the minds simply by being so and so child or have this or that pedigree. In England in particular people get recognition simply for breathing because they were related to William the Conqueror.
One Young World represents the meeting of the minds. Leaders gather together to talk about solutions. This summit is not simply enough to be born great you have to actually achieve greatness. The young leaders gathered there form powerful collaboration and together they solve problems.
