From 18-21 September 2024, Philippa Nilsson, Executive Director of Maiya School, participated in the One Young World Summit held in Tiohtià:ke / Montréal, Canada. As a Z Zurich Foundation Scholar, Philippa joined 29 other young leaders from around the world who were selected for their impactful work across the Foundation’s three pillars: climate resilience, mental well-being, and social equity.

Held at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal, the summit brought together over 2,000 young changemakers from more than 190 countries. Delegates had the opportunity to engage in four days of world-class speeches, panels, and workshops led by globally recognised figures across business, politics, and social impact sectors.

The Z Zurich Foundation’s support enabled Philippa to represent Maiya School, an Australian-registered NGO focused on education for Rohingya refugee girls in Bangladesh. Through the summit, Philippa deepened her understanding of strategies to accelerate access to quality education and social equity for marginalised communities. The scholarship also provided a platform to exchange insights with fellow scholars and international delegates tackling systemic issues in their own contexts.

Philippa returns to her work with renewed inspiration and practical tools to further Maiya School’s mission of ensuring safe, inclusive, and transformative learning opportunities for Rohingya refugee girls. As part of the Z Zurich Foundation’s global network, she will continue to connect with peers and access mentorship and capacity-building opportunities that amplify the long-term impact of her work.