Melati Riyanto Wijsen
Founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags & YOUTHTOPIA
Melati Wijsen, a full time changemaker and movement builder, embarked on her mission to protect our planet and its oceans before she even became a teenager. In the 10 years of starting Bye Bye Plastic Bags (BBPB) with her sister Isabel, their organisation has successfully mobilised over hundreds of thousands of individuals across Bali and beyond, distributing 11,000 educational booklets and empowering youth everywhere to lead by example. Melati believes that education is key and today focuses her energy on building YOUTHTOPIA to become the go to learning platform for Changemakers. Her inspiring journey is depicted in the documentary film "Bigger than Us," directed by Flore Vasseur and produced by Marion Cotillard. The film is about Melati’s global adventure to find like-minded peers who can inspire her and show her even more innovative ways to create change!
Keynote Lecture 6 – Innovators Series – Innovative Youngsters (Video Presentation)
This presentation offers a comprehensive perspective on the engagement of youth in the battle against single-use plastics, drawing from a wealth of expertise and insights gleaned from the BBPB journey. It places a special emphasis on weaving the theme and message of “Innovative Youth” into the fabric of this important initiative. It delves into real-life experiences and the hurdles faced during the journey, drawing from the combined experiences of BBPB and YT. This presentation will also shine a light on the obstacles and challenges that often arise when working with young individuals, providing valuable insights into how to overcome these hurdles. Additionally, it addresses the crucial matter of volunteer management, offering a problem statement that delves into the intricacies of coordinating and guiding a diverse group of passionate volunteers towards a common goal.
