Senator John Kerry to Address Inaugural Summit of One Young World in London

NEW YORK, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator John Kerry is the latest addition to the list of distinguished politicians, scholars and business people who will address more than 1,000 young people from around the world at the One Young World Inaugural Summit in London beginning on Feb. 8.

The delegates, who will represent more than 100 countries and were selected for their exceptional leadership potential, will gather in London for the Opening Ceremony at London's historic Old Billingsgate. At the ceremony, they will be introduced to the One Young World counsellors, who will guide and advise them during two days of plenary sessions on the biggest issues facing the world: the environment and its protection, interfaith dialogue, the role of global business, the changing power of the media, global health and politics for a positive future. Delegates will vote on the One Young World resolutions at the sessions, to be held in the Excel Centre, site of the recent G20 meeting.

Welcoming Kerry's involvement and noting his passionate actions for reform in a variety of areas, David Jones, One Young World co-founder and global CEO of Havas Worldwide, said: "Senator Kerry represents the finest of the American creed as well as respect for the world's citizens. He embodies the best of his generation's commitment and hasn't lost his youthful ardor for a better planet and community.

"Senator Kerry is a change agent and an inspiration for young people, especially because this generation of young people is dramatically different than any generation that has gone before it; the digital revolution has given them unparalleled access to information and unprecedented power to effect major change. I'm extremely excited to see what resolutions they come up with and their subsequent impact in the world. If the world's leaders can't make the right decisions, maybe the world's young people can help them."

Kerry will be joining counsellors who include Desmond Tutu, Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus, Kofi Annan, Oscar Morales (founder of One Million Voices Against FARC), Nick Haysom (director of political affairs at the United Nations), Harald Ludwig (co-chairman of Lionsgate Entertainment), Tony Fernandes (founder and CEO of AirAsia), Elio Leoni-Sceti (global CEO of EMI Music), Richard Sambrook (director of BBC Global News), Zhang Deguang (former deputy foreign minister of China), Carole Stone (managing director of YouGovStone), Alejandro Toledo (former president of Peru), Santanu Das (founder of TranSwitch Corp.) and Martin Davidson (chief executive of the British Council).

One Young World aims to give young people of leadership caliber a high-profile platform for their views. The counsellors are united in their belief that young people should have the right to influence world leaders on the legacy for future generations regarding many of the problems of global importance the world faces today.

Requests for interviews with the counsellors or co-founders David Jones and Kate Robertson, Euro RSCG group chairman, should be made through Marian Salzman and Eric Edge. Requests for accreditation to attend and observe the summit should go to http://www.oneyoungworld.com/press/registration/.

About One Young World

One Young World (www.oneyoungworld.com), nicknamed Young Davos by some media outlets, is the world's first global youth leadership summit. Bringing together several hundred delegates age 25 and under from the world's 192 countries, One Young World combines the social power of the Internet with the energy and ideas of global youth to address the most challenging issues of today. Founded by David Jones, global CEO of Havas Worldwide, and Kate Robertson, Euro RSCG group chairman, One Young World focuses on plenary sessions at which delegates are guided by a group of international luminaries including Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldof. The inaugural London summit on Feb. 8-10, 2010, will be open to the entire globe and people of all ages through online streaming and real-time updates.

About Havas Worldwide

Havas (Euronext Paris: HAV.PA) is a global advertising and communications services group. Headquartered in Paris, Havas operates through its two worldwide networks, Euro RSCG Worldwide and Havas Media, which are headquartered in New York and Barcelona, respectively, and through a number of independent agencies renowned for their creativity, such as Arnold Worldwide Partners. A multicultural and decentralized group, Havas is present in more than 75 countries through its networks of agencies and contractual affiliations. The group offers a broad range of communications services, including traditional advertising, direct marketing, media planning and buying, corporate communications, sales promotion, design, human resources, sports marketing, multimedia interactive communications and public relations. Havas employs approximately 14,400 people. For more information, go to www.havas.com.

SOURCE One Young World