‘Hope Is the Antidote’: Ella Robertson McKay’s Formula for Global Change

From the climate crisis and growing inequality to regional conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and beyond, grave global issues are top of mind for the leaders of One Young World, an international nonprofit that unifies and energizes up-and-coming change-makers.

At the organization’s Montreal Summit, Managing Director Ella Robertson McKay watched as more than 2,000 young leaders from 190 countries with a powerful message: Good intentions alone aren’t enough — hope coupled with action is the catalyst for change.

Robertson McKay believes this distinction makes all the difference.

“Optimism isn’t enough. You have to have hope, which is really the active part of it. Hope is the antidote to all of it — to war, to climate change,” Robertson McKay explains. “When you feel hopeful, you feel you can do something, and in turn, doing something makes you feel hopeful and optimistic. It’s a virtuous cycle.”

This hope organically ignites a contagious passion for change, according to Robertson McKay.

“You have a cause that you really care about, and your passion is infectious,” Ella Robertson McKay said during a TEDx Talk. “Skills as well as passion are desperately needed in causes. So whether you’re a nurse, you’re an engineer, you’re great at TikTok, you’re a really good listener, all of these things are so useful. Find your community, add your skills. And bear in mind that not every activist has got to be that front-line person.”

While behind-the-scenes people are needed too, Ella Robertson McKay urged, “Whatever you can do, bring those skills and dedicate them in a focused way.” 

Indigenous Voices Take Center Stage

Robertson McKay initiated the summit’s first-ever Indigenous Youth Day, bringing together representatives from more than 60 Indigenous nations and more than 30 countries. 

“Over the course of the day, attendees participated in panel discussions and workshops covering topics including environmental stewardship and climate change, culture and language, intergenerational trauma, and land, water, and ocean rights,” stated One Young World’s 2024 summit report. 

The program highlighted diverse priorities across communities.

“It was a real privilege to work with local Indigenous communities in Quebec and to learn from them,” Ella Robertson McKay remarks. “I think that everyone who worked on this project learned a lot. We’re really grateful to the Indigenous communities within Quebec whose lands we were on and who took time to help us do our work there, which is in a very complex landscape.”

The summit brought together emerging talent with established names like The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood and activist David Suzuki. “One of the core components of One Young World is intergenerational dialogue,” Robertson McKay says. 

“That’s why we bring together experienced individuals who have wisdom and lived experience to guide young leaders, who bring energy, innovation, and new technologies. Our goal is to unite these groups and foster collaboration.”

Robertson McKay has set ambitious goals for One Young World’s future, including achieving 50% scholarship representation by 2030. “The One Young World program equips young leaders with the platform and skills to drive important change in their efforts to create a better, more sustainable, and inclusive world for everyone,” she says. “We are excited to listen to and learn from the inspiring young leaders from this cohort at the One Young World Summit 2025.”

One Young World’s Ambassadors Making Major Changes

Promise Mabena is a One Young World ambassador who founded Esther’s Crown, a nonprofit that strives to achieve food security and mental health well-being for all, focusing on women and children. The South African humanitarian also recently took a course through One Young World on official development assistance, which is geared toward supporting the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

“I have successfully gained insights into the complexities of international aid and developed the skills to analyze and participate in my development initiatives effectively,” Mabena posted on LinkedIn. “Thank you OYW for this opportunity.”

Tyra Omeir, founder of The Christmas Box Project — an organization that pairs children in need with books, toys, personal hygiene products, and other useful items — shared her experience working with One Young World in a video on LinkedIn.

“Before I went to One Young World, I thought I was doing all of these things on my own, that I was isolated, that I could see solutions to different problems, and that actually that was a weakness,” Omeir stated. “And me, constantly knocking on doors. I was like, ‘This is a little too much. I think I need to dial it back.’ But actually, being part of this community where people are so invested in changing the world around them is inspiring to me, and it gives me new ideas.”

Maria Kolesnikova of Kyrgyzstan is another One Young World ambassador making her mark. She serves as the chairwoman of MoveGreen, a Kyrgyz environmental nongovernmental organization, and has been recognized as a United Nations Earth Champion for her work in environmental protection and advocacy.

“It’s up to children and the young generation to decide which kind of world they want to live in,” Kolesnikova told the United Nations Environment Programme. “That’s why it’s very important for us to educate them on how to act, what to do. Positive change starts from one person — it can start from you.”

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