Young Indonesian environmental activist Brigitta Gunawan is revolutionizing marine literacy by utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) technology to provide immersive and powerful conservation education experiences.
Gunawan, who focuses on marine conservation, is one of five new Young Leaders selected for the Generation17 global initiative, a partnership between Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) dedicated to accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Diverseas: Bridging the Gap with VR
Through her foundation, Yayasan Permata Biru Hayati, Gunawan developed an initiative called Diverseas, which leverages VR technology to deliver 360° educational experiences.
This innovative approach allows students and communities to virtually explore underwater life and the beauty of coral reefs, thereby deepening their understanding of critical marine ecosystems. Gunawan believes this immersive experience is crucial for driving change.
“My first snorkeling experience seeing the beauty of the coral reefs firsthand made me realize that our environmental preservation mindset must shift from ‘one day’ to ‘day one,'” said Brigitta Gunawan.
By creating powerful content that generates emotional awareness, she aims to show the public what is truly happening in the ocean. She uses the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as a ‘complete studio’ in the field to capture the high-quality visuals needed for the VR headsets used in the Diverseas program.
A Commitment to Global Goals
Gunawan’s conservtion journey began at a young age. At 17, she founded 30×30 Indonesia, a non-profit organization focused on environmental education and direct marine conservation experiences. This movement aligns with the global target of protecting 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030, as well as Indonesia’s commitment to conserving 30% of its national marine territory by 2045.
Her inclusion in the Generation17 cohort provides her with technological resources and access to a global network of experts and advocacy organizations like the UN, helping her to expand her mission.
“The future of environmental sustainability is determined by equal access to technology. Through this collaboration with Samsung and the UNDP, I aim to reach and empower more communities across Indonesia to participate in protecting nature,” Gunawan concluded. Source : https://rakyatnesia.com/
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