Author Patty Dreier is excited to announce a new collaboration with Youthtopia, a global organization of young people helping to build a brighter future through environmental and social action. Dreier’s book, Empowered: One Planet at a Time, will soon become available on the Youthtopia website for Gen Z to have access to obtaining the book as a resource to help them build their knowledge and skills for action.
The goal of Youthtopia is to “become a ‘go-to’ online and a physical HQ for young changemakers.” It is guided by The Circle of Youth, young people from around the world to “recognise, highlight, and showcase as an example for more of our generation to take a stand.” The organization was founded by Melati Wijsen from Bali who began at age 12 with an environmental action project joined by her younger sister, age 10: They would address concerns about plastics washing ashore on the beaches of Bali. Together, they built alliances, gathered signatures, and inspired the Bali government to prohibit single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, and polystyrene. Their organization became known as Bye Bye Plastic Bags which spread to over 30 countries. After that success, Melati launched Youthtopia with a focus on striving to achieve the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development goals.
“What an inspiration! Youthtopia is building essential capacities among our world’s young leaders. I wrote Empowered to inspire and equip young adults to take action as leaders on environmental and social issues. It was incredible to receive a message from one of Youthtopia’s leaders this morning offering to promote my book to the growing network of rising leaders and to say they ‘wish we had been connected earlier to be part of it.’ I find it amazing how we are using the same language….like we are mirrors of each other in this movement to empower young people from all corners of our world to stand up for their planet and themselves,” said Patty Dreier. “I am so glad we found each other. I can’t wait to see where this partnership leads.”
Empower