A 30-seconds YouTube video clip and a brilliant idea from a Filipino citizen is what it takes for Jonathan Eric Defante’s rise to prominence for he was selected as one of the three people named as 2011 United Nations Citizen Ambassador.
Jonathan Eric Defante was a graduate of the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines. He graduated with a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering and currently working in the United Arab Emirates. Two of his mentors were Engr. Glenn Avendano and Engr. Ballado.
The young Mapua alumnus was also a CISCO instructor at his Alma mater during the school year 2009-2010. He had also conducted lectures and laboratory modules for fourth year students at the Malayan High School of Science.
The idea of Jonathan Eric Defante had caught the attention of the panel of judges who were conducting the online competition which is one of the activities for the upcoming celebration of the 2011 World Humanitarian Day. The contest was held from August 8 to September 15 was organized by the UN Department of Public Information.
The video submitted by Defante who’s YouTube user name is jericz021 “One bottle, one life” was chosen out of more than 600 entries from different countries worldwide. Defante will joined the two other winners from South Sudan and Guatemala. They will have a chance to present their recommendation to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at the UN Headquarters, New York City.
On his speech Defante was quoted as saying “Every year, more than 75 percent or about 2.7 million tons of plastic bottles end up in land fills. The message across the globe about recycling is not strong enough” said Defante. He believed that the communities can be organized into a cooperative for sustainable development.
The Filipino well carry thte title as “Honorary Citizen Ambassador to the United Nations for two years. He will received also a customized HD mini flip cam courtesy of UN Foundation. The idea of the “Eco Bricks” will surely be a useful idea the could help change the world.
Here is the video of Jonathan Eric Defante that gave him the title as 2011 UN Citizen Ambassador:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcF1MDHbF2o[/youtube]