Vienna, Vienna, Austria
I didn’t wait for permission to change the world. At 11, my mother picked up the camera, and I used my voice to fight plastic pollution. It has been an adventure with lots of ups and downs, but it was real, and it was from those mistakes that I grew. I am the living testimony that youth don't want to just perform for a grade; they want to master life's challenges, learn from failure, and build real capability for success. They want to experience life and claim their seat at the table, which is where the real adventure begins. Today, I am a Global Systems Communicator bridging the gap between Gen Z purpose and systemic institutional action. Systems Impact: Reefs to Glaciers The Marine Catchments (Byron Bay, Australia): Filmed citizen science across the Great Barrier Reef, connecting schools, communities, and sustainable tourism. The Alpine Peaks (Austria): Documented melting glaciers to bridge the gap between universities, tourism boards, and governments on energy and mobility. High-Level Trust & Institutional Credibility Waterway Governance: Youth advocate with the ICPDR, filming transboundary river data across 14 nations (Joint Danube Survey). Global Summitry: Reached 1.5M+ students via documentary Plastic Alarm. Youngest plenary speaker at Asia Pacific Cities Summit (90 mayors, 1,500 delegates). Corporate Alliances: Collaborated with global brands like Adidas and Atlassian on youth engagement. Educational Evolution: Designing and directing immersive school residencies (e.g., St. George's Montreux, AIS Vienna) via GENNOW & Elite Changemaker. Signature Gigs & Speaking Topics 🎤 Gen Z & The Future of Work: Attracting and inspiring the youngest workforce. 🌱 True Systems Thinking: Connecting ecosystems, schools, and governments. 🧠 Youth Mental Health & Agency: Turning climate apathy into strategic leadership. 🏫 The Education Evolution: Cross-continental, age-tailored curriculum design. Let's Collaborate Available for keynotes, consulting, partnerships, and residencies (Vienna, Berlin, Sydney & Worldwide). 📩 Bookings: [email protected] 🌐 Explore: www.elitechangemaker.com | www.plasticfreeboy.com
I love speaking sustainability through public speaking at conferences and schools. I feature in films made my mum a professional filmmaker, who is also my manager.
I am creating content with my mum, who is a professional filmmaker. She produced a 22 min documentary called 'Plastic Alarm' (22min) featuring me as Plastic Free Boy, educating and inspiring kids from 3 - 18 years old in schools about the problems and the solutions of plastic pollution. We believe that learning for life in schools has a positive effect on the children's education and mental state and most important on the environment. We continue making films to include curriculum into our films and share them with kids in schools through school visits, e-learning and speaking at events designed by companies and organisations, who target school kids for empowerment.
Arlian Ecker was invited to speak at the prestigious Day of New Ideas event in Vienna, hosted by Adidas and Anything But Ordinary (ABO). This event brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to explore new ideas and trends shaping the future of business and society. Arlian, known for his work as a global youth changemaker, was invited to present his impactful educational project aimed at empowering students in schools worldwide to become active participants in creating a sustainable future. During his speech, Arlian focused on the importance of youth leadership and agency, emphasizing that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but also key drivers of change today. Drawing on his experience mentoring and inspiring students across the globe, Arlian highlighted how Adidas and its fitness app, Runtastic, can play a transformative role in equipping young people with the tools and resources to create their own changemaker projects. He underscored the need for businesses like Adidas to support and foster youth-driven initiatives that merge sustainability, physical health, and mental well-being. Arlian presented a vision where Adidas could partner with schools to provide students with access to resources, training, and platforms that enable them to design and implement sustainability projects that also promote physical and mental health. He discussed how students, when empowered with leadership skills, could use their voices to inspire their peers and communities to take action on environmental and social issues. Arlian’s presentation at the Day of New Ideas event was a powerful example of how youth-led initiatives can be integrated into corporate strategies to foster a more sustainable and healthier future. His message resonated deeply with the audience, positioning him as an influential voice in both the education and corporate sustainability landscapes.
Arlian Ecker was invited to present at the Day of New Ideas event in Vienna, organized by Anything But Ordinary (ABO), in collaboration with Adidas. The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore fresh ideas and solutions for a sustainable future. Arlian was invited to speak about his global educational initiatives and the impact of youth leadership in driving change. During his presentation, Arlian emphasized the importance of empowering young people with the agency to create their own changemaker projects, particularly in the areas of sustainability, physical health, and mental well-being. As a global youth advocate, Arlian shared how his work has inspired students worldwide to take leadership roles in their communities, driving projects that address urgent environmental and social challenges. Arlian focused on how partnerships between organizations like Anything But Ordinary, Adidas, and educational institutions can foster youth-led initiatives. He proposed that Adidas and its fitness app, Runtastic, could play a pivotal role in supporting students by providing them with the tools, resources, and platforms to develop projects that merge sustainability with health and wellness. His vision outlined a future where businesses actively support the agency of students, enabling them to lead projects that not only improve physical fitness but also address the broader issues of environmental and mental health. Arlian’s collaboration with Anything But Ordinary reinforced his belief that youth-driven innovation is essential for creating a sustainable and healthy future. This event with ABO allowed Arlian to further his mission of inspiring young people to become changemakers, while also encouraging corporations to invest in youth leadership as a means to create long-lasting, impactful solutions for a more sustainable world.
Speaker at Global Leadership Day at Atlassian
Arlian Ecker was invited to speak at the prestigious Atlassian Ship It Day, an event dedicated to celebrating innovation and collaboration among the company’s leaders and employees. Arlian, recognized for his work as a young changemaker and environmental advocate, was hired by Ogilvy PR ANZ to speak at the event on behalf of their Generation DO initiative, which focuses on empowering youth to lead positive change for the planet. At just 17 years old, Arlian's invitation to speak at a major business event like Atlassian Ship It Day was a significant milestone in his career. His speech emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into business practices and how the next generation of leaders, particularly young people, are shaping the future of environmental responsibility. Arlian's unique perspective as a youth voice in the global sustainability movement made his message resonate deeply with the Atlassian leadership team, as well as employees from diverse roles within the company. Arlian's presentation focused on the power of young changemakers and the impact they can have when empowered to lead initiatives for environmental and social good. By sharing his journey—starting as a 11-year-old activist advocating for ocean conservation—Arlian highlighted the significance of youth-driven innovation in solving global challenges. His insights encouraged the business leaders in the room to consider how they can integrate sustainability into their corporate strategies, not just as a business imperative but as a means to drive long-lasting change. This event marked a pivotal moment in Arlian’s career, showcasing his ability to speak to and inspire not only young audiences but also major global companies. His participation in the Atlassian Ship It Day reinforced his role as a respected youth representative and changemaker, illustrating that young people can play a key role in influencing large-scale organizations to adopt sustainable practices.