What if there was a platform for all of us to learn from each other? What if we could work collectively to accelerate change? YOUTHTOPIA is the go-to learning platform for young changemakers, to learn from each other and accelerate change. A place for all young changemakers to find community and uplift each other. What is meant by that? In this article, we will tell you all about it.
Every young person can be a changemaker, but not everybody knows where to start. YOUTHTOPIA came to life with the vision of accelerating positive change through the leadership of youth. In November 2020, YOUTHTOPIA opened their doors in Bali. Inside their recycled shipping containers, they have a working team of 7 full-time staff. This team is a group of passionate and determined individuals who come from all over Indonesia. It is founded by Melati Riyanto Wijsen, a 21-year-old full-time changemaker and movement builder. She founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags when she was only 12 years old, and since then, Melati has spoken on world stages such as TED and the UN. She has also recently co-chaired the World Economic Forum GPAP committee. On top of that, she had her film ‘’Bigger Than Us’’ premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival. For someone her age, you can definitely say she has already accomplished quite a lot.
‘’YOUTHTOPIA stands for; action, empowerment, positivity, disruption, creativity, equality, inclusivity, critical thinking.’’
So why does YOUTHTOPIA exist?
In the years that Melati spoke to over 1 million students from all over the world, there was 1 question that always came back; ‘’How can I do what you do?’’.
As Melati found that the current curriculum often does not provide the tools and the skills that a young person, trying to change into a more sustainable, right and justice future, needs. So to provide the answer to the question that kept coming back to Melati, she started YOUTHTOPIA, with the hope to one day bring frontline knowledge onto the screens of millions around the world.
With their Circle of Youth, they created a network of 185 young changemakers, under the age of 25, sharing free peer-to-peer training for other rising youth. They create content from all over the globe, such as masterclasses, workshops, mentorships and live conversations. So if you are someone who wishes to make a difference in the world, their free training can provide you with all the skills you need to start your journey as a changemaker.
YOUTHOPIA’s learning platform went live in April 2021, and since then they have recruited 2500 users to date. They are constantly working to improve their platform and gain more users. Over the past couple of years, YOUTHTOPIA has reached 250.000 people all over the world, and they have successfully trained 500 youth in person and offline. They secured partnerships with UN, National Geo, WWF and WEF schools, and they are on their way to reaching even more.
Finally, YOUTHTOPIA is the transformative learning environment for young changemakers who want to hasten the process of progress. This innovative platform was established by Melati Wijsen out of the desire to provide young people with the tools and abilities that are sometimes lacking in our conventional curriculum. YOUTHTOPIA connects a network of young changemakers through their Circle of the Youth program, providing free peer-to-peer training through master courses, workshops, mentorships, and live chats. YOUTHTOPIA has reached thousands of people worldwide through relationships with important organizations including the UN, National Geographic, WWF, and WEF schools, empowering 500 adolescents through in-person and offline training.
YOUTHTOPIA is not just a platform; it is a movement, a catalyst for change. Together, as young changemakers, they believe that they can create a world where voices are heard, ideas flourish, and actions shape the future they envision. YOUTHTOPIA beckons us all to join hands, embrace our potential, and forge a path towards a better tomorrow—one that we can proudly call our own.
