Plastic Odyssey Expedition arrives in Manila and launches ‘Youth for Dagat’ program with France Philippines United Action
On Nov. 19, the Alliance Française de Manille hosted the Opening Ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the Plastic Odyssey Expedition in the Philippines, bringing together the French-Filipino community to support this impactful initiative. Having traversed three continents and visited more than 20 countries, the laboratory ship Plastic Odyssey has docked in Manila to continue its mission to tackle plastic pollution in the most affected areas and empower communities with sustainable solutions.
This special event brought together environmental activists, educators, and key stakeholders to highlight the global fight against plastic pollution. Visitors were introduced to Plastic Odyssey, the first initiative committed to reducing plastic waste through a global network of local recycling projects.
The program was led by Xavier Leroux, Executive Director of the 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 at the Embassy of France in the Philippines; and Marie-Maylis Charlat, President of the France Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA), set the tone for a night dedicated to collaboration and sustainable innovation.
Plastic Odyssey: A Global Initiative to Raise Awareness and Share Sustainable Solutions
During the event, Simon Bernard, President and Co-Founder of Plastic Odyssey, gave an inspiring presentation about the purpose of the global initiative to fight plastic pollution through new recycling technologies and educational campaigns. He showed how the trip was turning plastic waste into valuable resources, promoting a global network of local recycling programs, and encouraging communities to adopt sustainable practices.
Santosh Paramel, Director of Operations for Asia Pacific and Vice President of the Delfngen Foundation, explained in detail their efforts in cooperation with Plastic Odyssey. He emphasized their direct support in establishing two small factories in the Philippines, designed to empower local communities with effective recycling solutions to effectively deal with plastic waste.
Dagat Youth: Empowering Filipino Youth to Fight Plastic Pollution
The event also saw the launch of the “Youth for Dagat” program, a school-based program aimed at empowering Filipino youth to take action against plastic pollution. Led by the France Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA), the program emphasizes environmental education, equipping students with practical tools to understand and deal with the harmful effects of plastic waste. Alexandra Acedillo, FPUA Project Coordinator, emphasized the goal of this program to raise a new generation of environmentalists by encouraging grassroots engagement and promoting effective solutions.
Sponsored by the Embassy of France in the Philippines, the Youth for Dagat program is part of the Embassy’s program called Blue Nations, which aims to strengthen cooperation 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, confirming the commitment of both countries to environmental sustainability and ocean conservation.
Building Connections and Demonstrating Impact
The evening ended with a networking cocktail, giving participants the opportunity to connect directly with the Plastic Odyssey team. Attendees were also treated to a special screening of the documentary Plastic Odyssey, which provides an in-depth look at the revolutionary work of this global journey.
The inaugural event marked a milestone in fostering cross-cultural partnerships to address one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. By bringing together key stakeholders and innovative solutions, it sets the stage for meaningful collaboration and action towards a sustainable future.
For more information about the Plastic Odyssey Expedition and the Youth for Dagat program, stay tuned to their social media channels below:
A Plastic Odyssey
IG: @plasticodyssey
FB:
LinkedIn:
Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA)
IG: @francephilippinesunitedaction
FB:
LinkedIn:
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