On Nov. 19, the Alliance Française de Manille organized an Inaugural Event to commemorate the arrival of the Plastic Odyssey Expedition in the Philippines, bringing together the French-Filipino community in support of this significant initiative. Having journeyed across three continents and toured over 20 nations, Plastic Odyssey’s laboratory vessel has now arrived in Manila to further its mission of tackling plastic pollution in the most impacted regions and empowering localities with eco-friendly solutions.
This special event gathered environmental champions, educators, and vital stakeholders to highlight the worldwide battle against plastic pollution. Attendees were familiarized with Plastic Odyssey, an innovative initiative dedicated to minimizing plastic waste through a global network of local recycling endeavors.
The agenda was directed by Xavier Leroux, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Manille; and Kevin Charuel, Managing Director of CCI France Philippines. Thoughtful opening statements were made by Rémy Tirouttouvarayane, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France in the Philippines; and Marie-Maylis Charlat, President of the France Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA), setting an atmosphere for an evening focused on collaboration and sustainable innovation.
Plastic Odyssey: A Global Initiative Raising Awareness and Sharing Sustainable Solutions
During the occasion, Simon Bernard, President and Co-Founder of Plastic Odyssey, presented an uplifting talk on the global initiative’s goal to confront plastic pollution through groundbreaking recycling technologies and educational initiatives. He illustrated how the expedition has been converting plastic waste into precious resources, building a global network of local recycling projects, and motivating communities to embrace sustainable practices.
Santosh Paramel, Asia Pacific Operations Director and Vice-President of the Delfingen Foundation, detailed their joint efforts with Plastic Odyssey. He emphasized their hands-on support in establishing two micro-factories in the Philippines, aimed at empowering local communities with effective recycling solutions to address plastic waste challenges.
Youth for Dagat: Empowering Filipino Youth to Combat Plastic Pollution
The gathering also heralded the launch of the “Youth for Dagat” initiative, a school-oriented program aimed at empowering young Filipinos to take action against plastic pollution. Led by the France Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA), this initiative emphasizes environmental education, equipping students with practical tools to comprehend and tackle the detrimental effects of plastic waste. Alexandra Acedillo, FPUA Project Coordinator, highlighted the program’s objective to cultivate a new generation of environmental advocates through grassroots involvement and promoting actionable solutions.
Supported by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Youth for Dagat initiative is part of the Embassy’s Blue Nations program, which aims to enhance cooperation between France and the Philippines concerning maritime and climate matters. It also acts as a preparatory step for the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to environmental sustainability and ocean conservation.
Building Connections and Showcasing Impact
The evening wrapped up with a networking cocktail, offering participants the opportunity to interact directly with the Plastic Odyssey crew. Attendees enjoyed a special presentation of the Plastic Odyssey documentary, providing a deep dive into the expedition’s transformative efforts around the globe.
This inaugural event represented a noteworthy milestone in cultivating cross-cultural collaborations to tackle one of the globe’s most urgent environmental issues. By uniting key stakeholders and innovative approaches, it laid the groundwork for impactful cooperation and actions toward a sustainable future.
For more information on the Plastic Odyssey Expedition and the Youth for Dagat initiative, follow their social media channels below:
Plastic Odyssey
IG: @plasticodyssey
FB: https://www.facebook.com/plasticodyssey/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plasticodyssey/
Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA)
IG: @francephilippinesunitedaction
FB: https://www.facebook.com/francephilippinesunitedaction/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/france-philippines-united-action/
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