Hi, I'm Melati Riyanto wijsen
My journey as a changemaker started at 12 yrs old when I founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags with my younger sister and best friend, Isabel. Since 2013, we have been leading the movement driven by youth and we’ve also created the people movement One Island One Voice and the social enterprise, Mountain Mamas. I’ve had the opportunity to speak on global stages such as TED and the UN headquarters in New York. I graduated high school a year early because I couldn’t wait to get started as a real “full time” changemaker. And wow, since graduating high school in 2018, my life has been nothing but an adventure.
From CNN Heroes to Forbes 30 under 30, I traveled the world and filmed my first feature film: Bigger Than Us, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to be nominated for a CESARS.
Through the experience of the film, I discovered my love for hosting and navigating through other peoples stories. Recently, I co-chaired the World Economic Forum GPAP committee, sat on the inaugural Expert Advisory Panel for the Earthshot Prize and more recently I’ve started a new series hosting conversations with young changemakers from around the world with YOUTHTOPIA.
my focus today:
In 2020 on the stage of the World Economic Forum in Davos, I launched my new company, YOUTHTOPIA, which is all about youth empowerment through short and meaningful peer to peer programs. I truly believe that young people can accelerate change, but sometimes we don’t know where or how to start. YOUTHTOPIA is created to be the go-to platform for young people to learn how to become a changemaker.
Things I’m
really proud of
My latest TED Talk about youthwashing
Bigger Than Us the film
"Us Kids may only be 25% of the worlds population, but
we are 100%
of the future."
HOW IT ALL STARTED
When I was 12yrs old, I knew of no limits. Seeing the growing problem of plastic pollution just meant one thing: it had to stop. And what could I do to contribute to that plastic free future? I didn’t want to wait until I was older, so together with my 10yr old sister we started a petition, built a team (of friends) and here we are today! Take a look at one of my favorite videos:
past engagements
I love travelling, meeting new people and speaking to inspire the young and young-at-heart!