Trinity alumnus, Francis Beechinor-Collins, was selected to attend the One Young World Summit 2019 by his law firm, Clifford Chance.
Francis, who left Trinity in 2012, is training to be a solicitor at the Magic Circle law firm, Clifford Chance, and is due to qualify in March 2020. Every year Clifford Chance selects a number of delegates to attend the One Young World Summit.
The Summit acts as a forum for young people from over 190 countries to come together and accelerate the resolution of some of the world’s biggest threats, such as climate change and extreme poverty.
In his application, Francis focused on the importance of businesses taking environmental action and how more and more companies are showing an increased awareness of the threat of global warming.
There were many fascinating speakers in attendance, including the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, the environmental activist, Jane Goodall, and the former Unilever CEO, Paul Polman. JK Rowling also attended as a surprise speaker, representing her charity, Lumos, and discussing how orphanages can perpetuate child abuse and family separation.
Francis commented that: “This was an excellent opportunity to represent my law firm, as well as network with young people from other large companies, non-governmental organisations and charities. I came away inspired to take action against the global threats we face. Being in a Q&A session with someone like Muhammad Yunus, who forged the idea of microfinance, suddenly made solving big problems far more tangible and realistic. I left feeling that helping to stop climate change or alleviate poverty is something I could actually do, rather than just aspire to do.”
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