On Nov. 19, the Alliance Française de Manille hosted an Opening Event to rejoice the arrival of the Plastic Odyssey Expedition within the Philippines, uniting the French-Filipino community in support of this impactful initiative. Having sailed across three continents and visited over 20 countries, Plastic Odyssey’s laboratory ship has now docked in Manila to proceed its mission of addressing plastic pollution in essentially the most affected areas and empowering communities with sustainable solutions.
This exclusive event brought together environmental advocates, educators, and key stakeholders to highlight the worldwide fight against plastic pollution. Guests were introduced to Plastic Odyssey, a pioneering initiative committed to reducing plastic waste through a worldwide network of local recycling projects.
This system was led by Xavier Leroux, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Manille; and Kevin Charuel, Managing Director of CCI France Philippines. Warm opening remarks were delivered by Rémy Tirouttouvarayane, Deputy Head of Mission on the Embassy of France within the Philippines; and Marie-Maylis Charlat, President of the France Philippines United Motion Foundation (FPUA), setting the tone for a night dedicated to collaboration and sustainable innovation.
Plastic Odyssey: A Global Initiative Raising Awareness and Sharing Sustainable Solutions
Throughout the event, Simon Bernard, President and Co-Founding father of Plastic Odyssey, delivered an inspiring presentation on the worldwide initiative’s mission to combat plastic pollution through revolutionary recycling technologies and academic campaigns. He showcased how the expedition has been transforming plastic waste into worthwhile resources, fostering a worldwide network of local recycling initiatives, and galvanizing communities to adopt sustainable practices.
Santosh Paramel, Asia Pacific Operations Director and Vice-President of the Delfingen Foundation, elaborated on their collaborative efforts with Plastic Odyssey. He highlighted their direct support in establishing two micro-factories within the Philippines, designed to empower local communities with practical recycling solutions for tackling plastic waste effectively.
Youth for Dagat: Empowering Filipino Youth to Combat Plastic Pollution
The event also saw the launch of the “Youth for Dagat” program, a school-based initiative geared toward empowering Filipino youth to take motion against plastic pollution. Spearheaded by the France Philippines United Motion Foundation (FPUA), this system emphasizes environmental education, equipping students with practical tools to grasp and address the harmful impacts of plastic waste. Alexandra Acedillo, FPUA Project Coordinator, underscored this system’s mission to nurture a brand new generation of environmental advocates by fostering grassroots engagement and promoting actionable solutions.
Funded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Youth for Dagat program forms a part of the Embassy’s Blue Nations initiative, which seeks to strengthen collaboration between France and the Philippines on maritime and climate issues. It also serves as a preparatory step for the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, reaffirming the commitment of each nations to environmental sustainability and ocean preservation.
Constructing Connections and Showcasing Impact
The evening concluded with a networking cocktail, providing participants the possibility to interact directly with the Plastic Odyssey crew. Attendees were also treated to a special screening of the Plastic Odyssey documentary, offering an in-depth exploration of the expedition’s transformative work worldwide.
This opening event marked a big milestone in fostering cross-cultural partnerships to deal with one in every of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. By bringing together key stakeholders and revolutionary solutions, it set the stage for meaningful collaboration and motion toward a sustainable future.
For more updates on the Plastic Odyssey Expedition and the Youth for Dagat program, stay tuned to their social media channels below:
Plastic Odyssey
IG: @plasticodyssey
FB: https://www.facebook.com/plasticodyssey/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plasticodyssey/
Philippines United Motion Foundation (FPUA)
IG: @francephilippinesunitedaction
FB: https://www.facebook.com/francephilippinesunitedaction/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/france-philippines-united-action/
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