The city of Ottawa is on the shortlist to host a prestigious international youth conference in 2016. The competition is fierce, but if we win, we would be the first Canadian city to host "One Young World". Today, the city rolled out the red carpet for organizers from England, here for a site visit. They draped “One Young World” signage over the Rideau Street walkway, stationed folks in strategic spots to chant “One Young World” and even hoisted the “One Young World” flag today outside Ottawa city hall.
"We believe Ottawa is a great fit for one young world as we champion youth participation in our city,” Mayor Jim Watson said, after he raised the light blue flag.
If you haven't yet heard of "One Young World" the folks with Ottawa Tourism are hoping you soon will. We are in the running to host the conference in 2016, up against Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kobe, Japan.
"One Young World is becoming the most important summit for young people,” says Ella Robertson, the Bid Director with One Young World, a UK based not-for-profit organization that was established in 2009. “We bring together 13-hundred participants, ages18 to 30 from 196 countries, with people like Bill Clinton, Arianna Huffington, Koffi Annan and Desmond Tutu, to discuss the most important leadership issues of the day.”
Ottawa will have 4 days to convince the One Young World organizers that our city has what it takes.
“We're trying to show we have a bright, young, engaged community,” says Noel Buckley, with Ottawa Tourism, which has led the bid on this, “we have the appropriate infrastructure needed, the appropriate hotels, the convention center, off site facilities and an international airport.”
Ottawa's new convention center would be the jewel in the crown. And so, they pulled out all the stops today with a welcoming committee, gourmet food and the town crier. Estimates are the conference would mean 5-thousand room nights and millions of dollars but the biggest bonus is the international exposure.
Ursula Belanger is with the Ottawa Convention Centre, "If Ottawa gets this convention we're bidding on, it would be our business card for years to come. The whole world wants this kind of business and for future leaders to come to their city and be in the city for us to showcase our city and put it out there, is making a big impression in the world.”
Organizers will make their decision by mid-July. Their initial impression is favorable.
“It’s such a warm community and the general enthusiasm for the summit is outstanding,” says Robertson.
