Our Young Health Programme (YHP) Impact Fellows are chosen for their dedication, expertise, and the meaningful contributions they are making within their communities. This year, 24 inspiring individuals who are driving positive change in health equity, environmental impact on health, and the establishment of resilient health systems in local communities, were invited to join the YHP Impact Fellowship. Hailing from various corners of the globe, they convened at the One Young World Summit in Canada alongside with 13 Canadian Eureka Fellows. There, health experts and activists from around the globe worked together to empower the next generation of changemakers.
The conference has been mind-blowing; I have met amazing people.
Dr. Adewumi Babatunde
2024 YHP Impact Fellow, Nigeria
Even Ambitious Young Leaders Seek Validation of Their Purpose
YHP Impact Fellows originate from diverse backgrounds and encounter a range of challenges and obstacles, including addressing the effects of climate on health, advocating for indigenous communities, and enhancing health outcomes for marginalised populations. By coming together for the first time at the One Young World Summit, they discovered the significance of their shared experiences and purpose.
Many agreed that health innovation and activism can be lonely. Often with little more than a simple idea and a passion for change, they drive forward, taking the lead and inspiring others to join. However, at some point, they’ve all questioned their purpose or direction, felt alone in their vocation, or struggled to recover from rejection.
At the One Young World Summit, they found they were not alone. Far from it.
Here at One Young World, I can find likeminded people, those that share the same vision, working towards the same mission and it feels like I can now work towards greater impact.
Astha Sharma
2024 YHP Impact Fellow, Nepal
Sharing Ideas and Stories: Inspiring Transformation
Annually, the One Young World Summit creates a community of young leaders, all driven to improve health and social impact toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Optimistic, daring and stimulating; this year’s delegate speakers included indigenous voices, climate and ecology activists, AI experts, advocates for global peace and health equity champions.
Although they were inspired by political, business, and humanitarian leaders, our Fellows found meeting other Fellows to be equally motivational. ‘Some of the most profound messages I heard were through informal conversations with other delegates,’ said Alisha Ahmed. And as Devi Pathak commented, ‘in a digital world, making connections in person is invaluable.’ The opportunity for deep discussions and diverse perspectives led to powerful connections that were mutually supportive. Discovering there were young leaders like themselves doing similar work but in another continent led them to feel their achievements were not just a drop in the ocean but part of a movement for global transformation – they were on a shared mission.
I was continuously reminded to think globally, and to continue to learn from others with lived experience and amplify their work.
Alisha Ahmed, Canada
2024 YHP Impact Fellow, Canada
Validation of the Fellows’ work has boosted their ambitions
Along with powerful networks of young people, ideas partners are formed and collaborations flourish ensuring the sharing of new ideas and innovations. Many Fellows returned home having already arranged opportunities and collaborations, ready to put into practice what they have learned. Dr. Adewumi Babatunde, who works in the field of breast and cervical cancer screening told us he was planning to bring together more foot soldiers to help him – how else was he going to screen all the women in Nigeria? ‘Don’t be frightened of failure and don’t be frightened to try,’ was his key learning from the summit.
Every day the challenges are growing and it’s our responsibility to do more of what we are doing, because the challenges are huge.
Ajay Mittal, India
2024 YHP Impact Fellow, India
The Fellows agreed that the challenges they face may seem overwhelming at times, but what each of them is doing makes a difference to other people’s lives. Participation in the One Young World Summit reaffirmed the significance of their work, signalling that they are being recognised and observed, even when they may not realise it. Importantly, many recognised that the experience has inspired them to think bigger and bolder. ‘When it comes to amplification… our connections with each other are what help make us stronger, and I can continue to learn and grow as a change maker,’ said Alisha Ahmed.
One of the things that I learnt, is not that I was going to the One Young World Summit to find my voice, but that I already had a voice and now I know how I’m going to use it.
Dr Eliezer Lappots-Abreu
2024 YHP Impact Fellow and Lead2030 Winner
Dominican Republic
