Mel Young
Edi Stark talks to Mel Young, one of the world's leading social entrepreneurs.
Edi Stark talks to Mel Young, one of the world's leading social entrepreneurs.
Originally a journalist by trade, it has been his mission not to report the story but to change it, which he has achieved with phenomenal success. The co-founder of the Big Issue in Scotland, now Chair of SportScotland, pioneered the Homeless World Cup in 2001 which still has its global HQ in Edinburgh. The idea was simple: a ball could change lives. The goal is to eradicate homelessness.
In 2003, the first world cup tournament was held in Gaz in Austria. Now over 70 countries take part annually and throughout the year, thousands of homeless people are helped to kick-start a new kind of life by doing what they love. In 2016, the Unites States Sports academy presented him with the Jackie Robinson Humanitarian award, previously held by sporting superstars like Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods and Andre Agassi. In the same year the Pope invited him to the Vatican.
But, as Mel Young tells Edi...none of this is for personal glory. His mission is to change the world.
