EndPlasticSoup was at the Manila Presidential Conference

The Manilla Presidential Conference from 26-28 November, Rotary’s largest Asia-Pacific Conference was a great success with 18,000 participants.
Worldwide this was the largest convention after the Rotary International Convention (Houston 4-8 June 2022).
The focus was on: ‘Growing local economies’ & ‘Protecting the environment’. Our RI president Shekhar Mehta confirmed: “This RPC was outstanding”.

The conference theme has been tackled through 4 concept arcs — Business for Good, Environment for Good, Sustainability for Good, Technology for Good.
A special arc has been provided for Future of Rotary. Each arc has been filled with keynotes and breakout sessions.

EndPlasticSoup was present at five sessions during the online event:

1. Townhall presentation ‘Business for Good’ by Wytzia de Savornin Lohman – EndPlasticSoup

Wytzia is co-founder of EndPlasticSoup, explained our initiative and called upon the clubs in Asia-Pacific to join EndPlasticSoup.

2. Keynote speaker ‘Environment for Good’ and ‘Sustainability for Good’ by Dr. Janet Kabeberi-Macharia – United Nations Environment Programme

Janet is our Ambassador for Kenya and talked about Building Sustainable & Equitable Use of the Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region. Janet explained that designing climate interventions requires an understanding of the gender-differentiated impact of climate change, with women and the youth emerging as more vulnerable sectors. She has shared practical ways to prevent environmental degradation, issuing a call to action grounded in the work being done by Rotary Clubs. In this way, she emphasizes how we should all find ways of living and working that can sustain an equitable future for all.

3. Fireside Chat ‘Environment for Good’ by Gert-Jan van Dommelen – EndPlasticSoup

Gert-Jan is co-founder of EndPlasticSoup and in a dialogue with Joaquin (Jackie) Rodriguez of RC Manilla and moderator Ambaree Majumder – Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, he explained the evolution of the EndPlasticSoup initiative and its success.
On the one hand, EndPlasticSoup leverages the power of the global Rotary network and innovation to combat plastic waste; on the other hand, Gert-Jan addressed the priority for awareness, education, legislation and the role the next generation can and should have to protect our environment.

4. Breakout session ‘Future of Rotary’ by the youth leaders of Bye Bye Plastic Bags from Bali, Indonesia: co-founder Melati Wijsen, Gracia Amadea Winata and Lim Hui Ying

Bye Bye Plastic Bags has inspired attendees with how they built a global movement to promote environmental conservation. In Bali, BBPB has gone above and beyond, also creating sustainable livelihoods, empowering women, and uplifting communities.
BBPB has built on their experience to create Youthtopia, a global community of youth changemakers who inspire and learn from each other.

5. Breakout session ‘Future of Rotary’ by Marcella Hansch, CEO of Everwave in Germany

Marcella Hansch explained he technological and ecological inspiration behind her organization, Everwave. Everwave aims to prevent plastic from entering our waterways, and inspire and educate citizens to become aware of the threat to our oceans and rivers.