By Honorary Reporter Mohammad Aksol Muntaha from Indonesia

Photos = Bye Bye Plastic Bags and Youthtopia

Sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen are well-known environmental activists from Indonesia for their Bye Bye Plastic Bags Movement, which promotes eco-friendly products. 

On Nov. 14, Korea's first lady Kim Keon Hee visited the facility Youthtopia in Bali and met the sisters, showing her business card wallet made from a military tent and a bag made from a coffee pouch. 

As an Honorary Reporter from Indonesia, I wanted to know more about this visit to Youthtopia. So I held an email interview with Melati Wijsen on Dec. 22, excerpts of which are below.

Melati Wijsen (up) and Isabel Wijsen (down) were featured on Forbes Asia magazine.

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Melati Wijsen, 22, and a resident of Bali, Indonesia. I am an activist who founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags and Youthtopia along with my younger sister Isabel. I was included on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list and had a chance to speak at a TED conference.

Describe Bye Bye Plastic Bags and Youthtopia.
Bye Bye Plastic Bags is a non-governmental organization and movement launched in 2013 and run by youth to get Bali to stop using plastic bags. Meanwhile, Youthtopia is a learning platform for all of youths who want change but don't know how or where to start.

Melati (fourth from left) and Isabel (fifth from right) Wijsen and their team pose for a group photo with Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee (fifth from left). 

What messages did the Korean first lady have for you?

She praised our work and shared her opinions that young people today are smart and passionate and can think outside the box. She was highly interested in Youthtopia and Bye Bye Plastic Bags engaging youth in Korea more closely.

Melati Wijsen talks to first lady Kim Keon Hee about plastic waste management. 

What did the first lady have to say about making changes in the environment?
We talked extensively about the many programs of Bye Bye Plastic Bags and Youthtopia. She was particularly interested in waste management and helping change people's mindsets about plastic usage. She was also impressed with our program English for Trash, in which we work with students and schools in a community for them to help a weekly cleanup in exchange for an English class. 

How did it feel to see the first lady use a business card case and bag made from recycled materials?
We really admired her choice of wearing something sustainable as it sent a strong message. She inspired us by showing how she uses her influence to highlight eco-friendly solutions and innovation.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.