Reflecting on One Young World: Driving Societal Change

Mohammed Aboukhachab is a senior associate in Deloitte’s Infrastructure and Real Estate team who recently represented Deloitte UK as their official delegate at the One Young World (OYW) summit. In this blog he tells us of his personal experience at OYW.
 

Why One Young World (OYW)?
 

I’ve never liked the term ‘corporate social responsibility’. It implies a separation between business and social impact. I believe they are inextricably linked: businesses cannot thrive in societies that fail. We must leverage our resources to solve the world's pressing challenges.

OYW embodies this belief. This annual summit empowers young leaders to tackle issues like inequality and conflict. It recognizes that while young people may not represent 100% of today's workforce, we represent 100% of the future. One Young World equips us with the skills to navigate the challenges that await, building a better tomorrow, today.
 

Deloitte at One Young World

At Deloitte, purpose drives everything we do. This is exemplified by our significant presence at One Young World, where we had our largest cohort yet with 70 delegates and ambassadors representing 30 nations. Australia’s delegate, Samantha Maxine Santos spoke about her Deloitte sponsored initiative MicroGRAVITY, focusing on making STEM education more accessible to disadvantaged communities (a cause close to my heart). This is just one of the initiatives contributing to our commitment to empower 100 million lives by 2030.  It was Van Zorbas, Chief Global Purpose Officer for Deloitte, who said “purpose and profit can co-exist, and we are on the path to making Deloitte a purpose-led firm.”

My own passion for social change is deeply personal. Growing up in a 3-bed flat that housed 9 people, relying on free school meals, and attending a state school, my background challenged conventional notions of "corporate eligibility." But I broke down those barriers. Now, my purpose lies in bridging the chasm between the corporate world and communities like the one I come from. This aspiration led to my selection as a OYW delegate – an opportunity to catalyse change, forge equitable opportunities for individuals from similar backgrounds, and champion their aspirations. I aim to serve as an example that every person can bloom, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Youth Voice at the Table

“Emerging leaders must have a seat at the table” – Angela F. Williams

At OYW, a powerful message resonated: our generation inherits the mantle of solving global challenges we did not cause, from climate change to inequality. Yet, a crucial question arises: are senior leaders truly listening to the voices poised to shape the future? As Felipe Paulier, the UN's youngest-ever senior appointee stated, “young people are not just tomorrow's leaders – we are leaders today.”

There requires a two-way commitment. We, the youth, must step forward, raise our voices, and contribute to solutions now. Senior leaders, in turn, must actively platform these voices, ensuring they reach the highest levels of decision-making. Bridging this generational gap through collaboration is not just an aspiration, but the cornerstone of a brighter future.

Taking Action

OYW was a watershed moment for me. It taught me that ignoring social challenges jeopardizes the ecosystem businesses need to thrive. Our global reach, resources, and expertise at Deloitte equip us to accelerate social impact. Yet, true change hinges on individual action at the grassroots level. Ask yourself: in what ways can you make a difference? What world do you envision for the next generation that ensures the ecosystem they require exists?

Remember, life is more than just work, it is about actions we take to leave the world in a better place than what we found it in!