The Pankaj Award to End Conflict to attend The One Young World 2026 in Cape Town

Regent Global has committed $250,000 to celebrate and accelerate the impact of young leaders who are preventing and resolving conflict around the world.

The world is watching in fear as a new era of conflict spreads, multiplies, and deepens, driven by identity, ignorance, and inequality. 

Established institutions and actors are perpetuating its causes rather than solving them. Meanwhile, the consequences are devastating for many of the most vulnerable communities around the world. This Award has been launched to recognise the young leaders who are tackling conflict at its roots and creating unity within and between communities torn apart by divisions.

Regent Global and One Young World will identify ten young leaders as finalists for the award, based on their demonstrated impact:

• Providing solutions to end or prevent conflict at a local, national, or regional level

• Increasing awareness and understanding between communities through dialogue and education

• Preventing the outbreak and escalation of violence within and between communities

• Empowering and protecting the rights of marginalised and oppressed groups

• Implementing sustainable peacebuilding measures to prevent the re-emergence of conflict

From the ten finalists, an independent expert judging panel (to be announced at the 2026 Global Unity Dinner hosted by Regent Global on 26 June) will select the inaugural winner of The Pankaj Award to End Conflict. 

Background

Professor Selva Pankaj and Dr Tharshiny Pankaj arrived in the UK as teenagers and refugees, fleeing the civil war in Sri Lanka. When they met in 1996, they bonded over shared values, a passion for education and a deep desire to give back. They proceeded to found Regent Global, through which they have led more than 25 years of educational innovation and excellence.

Deeply influenced by the personal impact of the Sri Lankan Civil War, and observing the rapid escalation of longstanding conflicts and the emergence of new ones, Selva and Tharshniy are proud to launch this award and funding programme that will help young leaders rebuild unity in communities, foster peace in the face of division, and end conflict.

What is One Young World?

One Young World was founded in 2009 by David Jones and Kate Robertson. We are a UK-based charity that gathers together the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change. 

We stage an annual Summit where the most valuable young talent from global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organisations are joined by world leaders, acting as the One Young World Counsellors.

Delegates participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, networking and workshops. All delegates have the opportunity to apply to give keynote speeches, sharing a platform with world leaders with the world’s media in attendance. As well as listening to keynote speakers, delegates have the opportunity to challenge world leaders, interact and be mentored by influencers. Delegates make lasting connections throughout the Summit, celebrating their participation at social events and the unforgettable Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

After each Summit, the delegates, who are then known as One Young World Ambassadors, work on their own initiatives or lend the power of the One Young World network to those initiatives already in existence. Of those in employment, many returns to their companies and set about creating change from within, energising their corporate environment.