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| Abel Williams Cheayan flying the Liberian flag on stage during the opening ceremony of the One Young World Summit. Liberia is found in West Africa |
“Sawadi Krop” means a
greeting from a male and “Sawadi Ka” greetings from a female in Thai. The awesome One Young World Summit 2015 was hosted in Bangkok, Thailand. You will be greeted this way by the cheering
people of Bangkok upon your arrival in their city of culture and overwhelming
friendship. Young Leaders from 190 plus countries among
other great world leaders including Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the
United Nations, gathered to discuss the world pressing issues to identify
solutions for Governments to act upon them. Key topics of concern
to be discussed at the One Young World (OYW) Summit by the young ambassadors included:
climate change, current Syrian refugee crisis, government, peace and conflict. Correspondingly, also discussed, were the course
of actions expected to be taken on these issues by each and every One Young
World Ambassador following the conclusion of the Bangkok Summit.
Climate change is a
key topic of most interest that is considered the world’s prime concern and
needs to be addressed by World Leaders.
The OYW call on COP speeches were selected to allow the young
ambassadors from each of the 190 plus countries at the summit to present a
climate change “call” ahead of the global climate change conference currently
being held by World Leaders in Paris.
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OYW, NGO working group met for special partnership discussion
Abel shared with others OYW ambassadors about his work in Liberia and
Leadership experience as young leader during the One Young World Summit
hosted in Bangkok.
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Abel Williams Cheayan
is the President of NRRI and a Mandela Washington Fellow. He represented Liberia at the One Young World
Summit in Bangkok, where he proudly served as Liberia’s flag bearer. During
the summit he presented his “call” via COP speech on behalf of the Republic of
Liberia. Abel’s “call” on COP speech not only highlighted the unsafe threat
Liberians face from sea erosion as result of Global Warming, but he also used
his speech to call on World Leadership to take appropriate actions now, without
promises toward tomorrow.
Abel is recognized for
his decisiveness when it comes to international advocacy, and being involve in actions
that alarm the World’s problems. During
2014 OYW Summit, hosted in Dublin, he inspired other OYW Ambassadors to “call”
on their Governments and the International communities to unite for strong
action to end Ebola in West Africa.
This year he was
listed among Huffpost’s One Young World 21 top talented leaders. Leaders who are making positive impact around
the World. This recognition came as result of NRRI (organization he proudly leads)
tremendous effort in helping communities in Liberia preventing themselves from
Ebola during the intense period of the Ebola crisis.
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Kofi
Annan former United Nations Secretary General
speaking
at the opening ceremony of the One Young
World Summit held in
Bangkok, Thailand, November 2015 |
Abel remarks that being
in Bangkok was one of the most motivated, learning and diverse culture
endorsement part of his leadership experience. “I am inspired by the young
people of Bangkok, Thailand. The youth is hardworking, and engage in long days of
volunteer services with so much passion and love. I have never seen young people being so
passionate about volunteering, Bangkok is a great place to be, and a
nation of youth." Abel’s six day experience in Bangkok was filled with
summit activities and free time was used to experience the diverse society and
people from Thailand.
Abel stated in his
report to NRRI “I bet none of us One Young World Ambassadors ever wanted the
summit to come to its conclusion. However, it all needed to come to an end.”
The OYW Summit was a week-long gathering organized to mentor, empower and
create opportunity for young leaders to voice concerns and develop solutions on
global issues, and to also connect with each other and sharing experiences. The
summit’s young delegate speakers made the event all fascinating and
exciting. Regardless of religion, color or background One Young World is a
platform available to make your voice heard as a young leader.
After the summit the biggest question was “What
will you do next?” The World is looking
up to One Young World Ambassadors in every corner of the globe for the one
thing they can do is to contribute to make changes and positive impacts.
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Abel and Jim Watson, current Major of Ottawa Canada,
met during the OYW Summit. Major Watson was among other great leaders who attended the OYW Summit hosted in Bangkok, and his city Ottawa will be hosting the 2016 OYW Summit |
The 2016 OYW Summit will
be hosted in Ottawa, Canada. Looking forward to new, motivating and learning
experiences in this great city.
After the Bangkok
summit; Abel aims not only to continue work within Liberia West Africa, but his
desire is to also spread awareness about the One Young World Summit and
its ideology to inspire and empower young people. By January to May 2016, Abel
will partner with other OYW Ambassadors around the World to reach out to
students and faculty members in various Universities to pass on awareness encouraging
young emerging leaders in these Universities to join the One Young World
program.
About NRRI
The Natural Resources Research Initiative
(NRRI) is involve in negotiation with governments and major actors for the
inclusion of young people into the decision making process of Liberia's natural
resources to prevent potential conflicts and associated environmental human
rights abuses. The organization was founded in 2012, and its vision is
now being replicated into other West African Countries. NRRI work has contributed to the Liberia
society through its various programs including the “Action Prevents Ebola”
project that was introduced as result of the Ebola crisis. After major
battle against Ebola NRRI is now lobbying to support Ebola affected orphans
enrolled into school through it Ebola Orphans Scholarship Funds.
