It was a privilege to introduce One Young World Delegate Sydney A Montgomery at the Education Plenary of the One Young World 2025 Summit in Munich, convened under the theme How Can We Spread and Accelerate Access to Education for All. The session brought together an exceptional cohort of delegates from various regions of the world, including scholars, innovators, educators and entrepreneurs, each offering powerful perspectives and proven solutions rooted in their lived experiences on how we can reimagine learning as a shared global public good.

Sydney Montgomery’s story is one of vision, resilience, and impact. As a first-generation scholar, Princeton and Harvard alumna, and founder of Barrier Breakers, she has devoted her career to widening access to higher education and creating pathways for students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. Her leadership reflects a rare synthesis of academic excellence and lived empathy, transforming her personal journey into a platform for inclusion.

The Education Plenary created a meaningful space for delegates, to share their experiences and pitch their insights, supported and mentored by their One Young World Counsellors, while providing a vital forum to examine how the principle of education for all can be realised in practical and lasting ways. Every delegate spoke with commendable clarity and conviction about the importance of mentorship and purpose in shaping education systems that truly serve every learner. Their reflections demonstrated how knowledge, when accessible, becomes a foundation for fairness, opportunity and social progress.

Through the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, I have long believed that education and health are deeply interdependent, twin enablers of equity and dignity. Engaging with so many extraordinary young leaders at One Young World demonstrated that the future of both depends on our collective commitment to connection and inspiration.

 

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