BMW GROUP @ ONE YOUNG WORLD SUMMIT montreal 2024.

One Young World (OYW) Summit Montreal 2024

Numerous delegates from the BMW Group.

Rethinking and actively reshaping the future is already firmly established in the consciousness of the BMW Group – with a particular focus on fostering young talent. That’s why, in 2016, we became a partner of the non-profit that organises the One Young World Summit. Since then, more than 200 BMW Group employees have taken part in our young leadership development programme and are now One Young World ambassadors. This year our international delegation once again included young leaders who have already been working intensively, creatively and successfully on changing the world around them. Also part of the delegation were external scholarship holders from NGOs and the political sciences. The summit was an opportunity for them all to grow their networks and ideas and realise their visions. As well as looking far beyond their usual horizons, they were able to broaden their thinking and find out more about other participants’ diverse ideas.

Collaboration is a superpower.

“Looking at you all, I can see you already have all the superpowers we need: you have different backgrounds, experiences and skills. You have the desire to accelerate change. But there’s one superpower that’s missing, that will unleash our full potential: the superpower we gain by joining forces, forging new partnerships and collaborating as a strong team,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Board Member for HR and Real Estate, encouraging the OYW delegates in her speech to the plenary. Accompanying the BMW Group delegation to Montréal, she supported them as a mentor. In a joint presentation Horstmeier and the delegates explained how the BMW Group fosters education and talent, citing activities in South Africa as a real-life example.

It’s more than a school, it’s a home.

The BMW Group has been operating a car plant in South Africa for more than 50 years and also supports the country in other ways, such as at the Lethabong Secondary School just outside Pretoria. Speaking in Montréal, head teacher Mmaphefo Malope offered a glimpse behind the scenes at her institution, which to pupils is more than just a school: for them it is a home. “We are changing the world little by little, by giving kids a chance. And it’s all thanks to the support of private donors and NGOs, but also of organisations such as UNICEF and businesses like the BMW Group. Public-private partnerships are essential – because the need is huge. But the government doesn’t have funding for all the social challenges our country is facing. At the heart of our efforts is education, of course, because education is like oxygen,” explained Malope, whose aim is to increase the share of pupils leaving her school with a qualification in their pocket to 100 percent.

Cooperation with UNICEF.

Just outside Pretoria, the BMW Group has created a unique learning ecosystem involving a preschool at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, a nearby elementary school and then Lethabong Secondary School. On graduating from school, students can also continue their education or enter vocational training. To make this opportunity available to as many children as possible, the BMW Group has forged a close partnership with UNICEF. “Education is more important than anything,” said Megan Gilgan, Deputy Director of Outreach and Engagement with UNICEF, who was also in Montréal supporting the BMW Group’s delegation. “We want generations of children to find their place in the economy and society. BMW already has a strong presence in the Pretoria area, and that was why we joined the project. But then we thought, let’s do this on an even broader basis.” Among her key aims are improving STEM education, providing support for girls as women remain underrepresented, and last but not least offering education for parents. “Our project is a good example of what we can achieve when strong partners pull together and collaborate with outstanding local experts. Together, we can unleash the full potential of many children in our community and give them a proper chance at life. And even more importantly: we want every child to know that there’s someone out there who cares for them. There are people out there who believe in them and their talents,” was Horstmeier’s closing remark.

Just Transition.

The BMW Group delegation had also invited participants to a workshop at the summit. Titled Just Transition and co-hosted by the delegation’s very own Koketso Ranaka and Nee Yen Tia, the event explored how a just and fair transition can maximise economic opportunities for climate protection while still keeping a close eye on the challenges. The workshop and its participants collected ideas and looked at how employees, partners and businesses can make a difference.

the 5 focus topics at the One Young World Summit 2024.

The workshop and activities of the BMW Group were part of the Indigenous Voices focus topic – but there were also four more that participants had prepared for in the months leading up to the One Young World Summit 2024 in Montréal. Climate & Ecological Crisis focused primarily on protecting global water systems, while the focus topic of Artificial Intelligence explored how humanity could use AI to positive effect. With Health Equity, the spotlight was on the fight against sex inequality, and on the all-important issue of Peace and Security, the summit explored ways of supporting young people as they strive for lasting peace.

One Young World Summit – at home in Munich in 2025.

For the BMW Group and its delegates, the One Young World Summit 2025 will be a home affair: after 2021, the summit will be back in Munich a second time. Participants will convene at the International Congress Centre from 3-6 November. The opening ceremony will be held in the Olympic Hall.

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