Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan
on Youth Ocean Advocacy and chasing your Career Dreams
“Water has influenced the ways I strive towards my goals. Spending countless hours in the water ever since I was a toddler, taking my first baby steps on the shores of Bali, and growing up in the world of competitive swimming – that’s what shaped me into the person I am today. Whether it is the mindset, the whole-hearted commitment to being laser-focused, or the appreciation towards a hard-fought journey, being in and around the water has shown me that there is a world beyond the ground we stand on.”
For Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan, the experience of being in a body of water, a force “so powerful and yet so calm”, is simply irreplaceable. Swimming opened her eyes to new perspectives on the marine environment as a whole. From a competitive swimmer’s point of view, there is always something you can do better every day to lead you where you want to be. This is exactly what she preaches in her work. Changing our daily habits, knowing that “we have so heavily exploited nature’s gift to humanity: water.”
Coming from Indonesia, a beautiful archipelago overflowing with biodiversity, she sees her Indonesian heritage as a source of motivation. Being born in a country that is heavily dependent on the ocean as a source of livelihood, Brigitta has channelled her efforts into leading innovative environmental education initiatives to foster meaningful ocean protection in Indonesia and beyond.
Brigitta is a National Geographic Young Explorer, winner of the Ocean Awards Young Initiative by Blue Marine Foundation, and a member of EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council, representing a global network of young ocean advocates driving efforts to protect and restore our ocean planet.
She is an EE 30 Under 30 by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and a keynote speaker, sharing her work and story on world stages including the United Nations Ocean Conference.
In 2021, she launched 30x30 Indonesia, a movement igniting community engagement to advance marine protected areas in her country and support the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30).
Not an easy journey, not even for a youthful and determined spirit:
“I think that age, gender, and other intersecting identities as a whole, determine our experiences in carving a career path. There is always a degree of prejudice – people may overlook your capabilities because you are young or simply because you do not have access to certain resources. These can be barriers between where you are now and where you aspire to be, which can often be a source of suffering for many people who refrain from pursuing their dream careers.”
Read Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan's answers for Inspirators and chase your career dreams!
Thank you, Brigitta, for being a Young Ocean Lover!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan
Company / Institution: EarthEcho International; 30x30 Indonesia
Title: Youth Leadership Council Member; Founder; National Geographic Young Explorer; Ocean Advocate
Website: https://explorer-directory.nationalgeographic.org/brigitta-maria-andrea-gunawan
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigittagunawan/
Country of origin: Indonesia
Country you currently live in: Australia
Your personal definition of Regeneration: Regeneration is the budding of hope and new life for the future we envision.
Main driver that keeps you going: Our vision and mission to engage communities and build a durable ocean conservation movement is a strong driver. Even more so, I am inspired by the hard work and determination of people on the frontlines – youth, Indigenous communities, local heroes, and experts who are working tirelessly towards a better world.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Discipline.
The trait you most value in others: Respect.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Enjoying nature, the outdoors, and the golden hour! Sports (swimming, running, biking, scuba diving).
The #inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
Dr. Asha de Vos
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: Write down clear goals and keep striving to achieve them!
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you:
Greenwashing. Sustainability should be more than just the keywords attached to claims by companies/brands. It should be backed by authentic action.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: Now, more than ever, we need young people to lead the change we want to see.
Movies or Documentaries you would watch all over again: Chasing Coral.
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Lisbon, Portugal (UN Ocean Conference).
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: There is a lot of progress, hope, optimism, and rising awareness for the future of sustainability – we must keep the momentum going to achieve the SDGs.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: None!
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Optimism. Hope. Vision.
Your own quote that will inspire us:
