Melati Wijsen

Melati Wijsen

Pioneering Environmental Advocate, Social Entrepreneur & Founder of YOUTHTOPIA

Core Intelligence Domain: Sustainability
Location: Bali, Indonesia | Languages: English, Indonesian
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Melati Wijsen is a globally recognised environmental activist, social entrepreneur, and a leading voice for youth-driven systemic change and sustainable foresight. Initiating her changemaking journey at the age of 12, she has become an authoritative figure in global climate dialogue, advising multinational corporations, NGOs, and global policy frameworks on integrating purpose-driven ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies. Her proprietary approach centres on empowering the next generation of leaders to transition from passive awareness to measurable, frontline action.

From Grassroots Activism to Global Policy Reform

In 2013, Melati co-founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags with her younger sister, an initiative that quickly escalated from a local youth movement into a globally recognised environmental campaign. Her relentless advocacy, strategic lobbying, and mass mobilisation culminated in a historic milestone: the official ban on single-use plastics in Bali in 2019. Since then, the movement has expanded to over 50 locations worldwide, setting a benchmark for youth-led environmental policy reform.

Scaling her vision for global youth empowerment, Melati founded YOUTHTOPIA, an educational platform dedicated to equipping young changemakers with the skills required to drive impact. Through peer-to-peer learning and practical workshops, YOUTHTOPIA has cultivated a global community of frontline activists, bridging the gap between grassroots initiatives and institutional education, and providing corporate leaders with insights into Gen Z expectations.

Global Recognition and Advisory Roles

Melati’s strategic insights into sustainability and generational engagement have earned her prominent seats at the world’s most influential tables. She has delivered a globally acclaimed TED Talk with millions of views and has spoken at the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the UN Climate Change Conferences (COP). Her authoritative stance on environmental stewardship has been recognised globally; she has been named one of TIME’s Most Influential Teens, featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, and honoured as a CNN Heroes Young Wonder.

Beyond her direct activism, Melati has co-chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) committee, advising global leaders and enterprise stakeholders on circular economy frameworks and plastic waste eradication.

Core Speaking Topics

• The Power of Youth-Led Systemic Change: How Gen Z and young changemakers are redesigning global sustainability standards and why corporations must actively engage them.
• Purpose-Driven Leadership & ESG Strategy: Actionable frameworks for integrating genuine environmental accountability into corporate governance and brand identity.
• From Passion to Policy: The strategic journey of Bye Bye Plastic Bags, illustrating how grassroots mobilisation can force legislative change and community transformation.
• Building a Circular Economy: Eradicating plastic pollution and transitioning towards sustainable, circular business models for long-term corporate resilience.
• Education for the Future: How YOUTHTOPIA is transforming traditional education by empowering youth with practical, real-world changemaking skills.

Key Takeaways

• Actionable Changemaking: True sustainability requires moving beyond corporate dialogue into measurable, policy-shifting action on the ground.
• Generational Synergy: Corporations and governments must actively integrate the perspectives of young leaders to remain relevant, innovative, and resilient in the face of modern climate challenges.
• Resilience in Advocacy: Sustained environmental progress demands persistent lobbying, robust public-private collaboration, and strategic community mobilisation.
• Purpose as Strategy: Embedding environmental responsibility into the core DNA of an organisation is no longer an optional philanthropic effort, but a fundamental requirement for long-term commercial viability and brand trust.