“The problems we face are global but they demand local solutions as well as international cooperation.”
Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General, Macalester College Class of 1961
Seesalt impact
Welcome to SEESALT's Social Impact hub.
Each story represents more than a project—it's a testament to what's possible when passionate young leaders combine grassroots innovation with global collaboration. From tackling plastic waste in Ghana to revolutionizing agriculture in rural communities, from preserving wetlands in China to empowering education in underserved regions, our consultants are proving that sustainable change begins with bold action at the local level. As we enter 2025, this space becomes our living archive of impact.
Discover how our consultants are bridging the local and global, creating solutions that resonate with their communities and the world.
Yilun Wang: Bridging Nations Through Youth Diplomacy
August 2025 | Kobe, Japan
Our SEESALT Terra consultant Yilun Wang (Macalester College '28) represented China at the 2025 Trilateral Youth Summit, joining 48 exceptional students from China, Japan, and Korea to address regional challenges under the theme "Designing the Future for All Generations." This selective summit, held from August 1 to 8 in Kobe, Japan, represents one of East Asia's most significant youth diplomacy platforms, bringing together the region's most promising young leaders to tackle shared challenges.
During the week-long summit co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from China's and Korea's foreign ministries, Yilun served as an active contributor in one of four specialized committees addressing the region's most pressing issues. These intensive working sessions covered humanities exchange and youth education, sustainable development and disaster relief, economic cooperation with technology and regional revitalization, and health solutions for aging societies. Each committee was tasked with developing concrete policy recommendations that could be implemented across the three nations.
Yilun's participation went beyond mere attendance. He engaged in rigorous debates, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and cross-cultural negotiations that required balancing national perspectives with regional cooperation goals. The summit's structure demanded participants to think critically about how demographic transitions, climate change impacts, and economic uncertainties affect not just their home countries but the entire East Asian region. Through these discussions, Yilun helped shape proposals that acknowledge both the unique challenges each nation faces and the shared solutions that regional cooperation can provide.
Beyond formal sessions, Yilun engaged with government officials, visited the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo, and built cross-cultural friendships that exemplify SEESALT's mission of bridging local action with international impact.
Impact: Through Yilun's participation, SEESALT strengthens its presence in East Asian youth diplomacy, demonstrating how young leaders can shape regional cooperation and address shared challenges across borders.
This experience showcases how SEESALT consultants serve as active architects of change on the global stage, turning dialogue into action for sustainable futures.
Read More stories from the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
Matthew Volfson: From Campus to Community - Building Ghana's Circular Economy
August 2025 | Ghana & Washington, DC
SEESALT consultant Matthew Volfson exemplifies how young leaders can create immediate, tangible impact. This summer, Matthew orchestrated a groundbreaking recycling and entrepreneurship initiative in Kokrobite, Ghana, that engaged 350-400 youth participants, launched 17 youth entrepreneurs, and brought together investors, government officials, and community leaders.
Working with local entrepreneurs Chris Sesa and Solomon, Matthew's initiative processes 30 metric tons of plastic monthly, creating a sustainable business model that transforms waste into wealth. The project gained endorsements from two Kokrobite chiefs, support from Members of Parliament, and attracted interest from major corporations, including Danone, Nestlé, and MODEC Ghana.Matthew's approach demonstrates SEESALT's philosophy in action—connecting grassroots innovation with institutional support. His work has garnered interest from the Atlantic Council and Development Finance Corporation. The initiative has already spawned plans for replication in August and November 2025, while building a growing network of informal sector entrepreneurs who are creating shelves, lamps, and other products from recycled materials.
"Visionary leaders find opportunities wherever they go," reflects SEESALT founder Zhijun He, who has been mentoring Matthew through this journey. Matthew's "blitzkrieg model for development" proves that rapid, multi-sector engagement can create lasting change when driven by local collaboration and youth energy.
As Matthew continues to pursue opportunities with UNICEF Youth Advisory, Ashoka Fellowship, and challenges related to the circular economy, his work in Kokrobite stands as a blueprint for how young changemakers can transform communities through sustainable entrepreneurship.
Follow Matthew's journey and support the Kokrobite recycling initiative as it expands across Ghana, transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities for young people.
Zonglin Zheng: Leading Innovation from Latin America to the World Stage
2025 | Washington, DC & Chicago
SEESALT is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Zonglin Zheng, SEESALT Consultant from Mexico and President of VerdeVision, a transformative voice in youth climate action. This year, Zonglin has demonstrated exceptional leadership on multiple global platforms, reinforcing SEESALT's commitment to nurturing young changemakers who bridge innovation with impact.
Representing SEESALT at the 2025 World Bank Youth Summit, Zonglin led his team to achieve 3rd place globally in the Innovation Lab, competing against the world's brightest young minds. His team's solution addressed critical development challenges through innovative approaches that combine technology, sustainability, and community engagement. This achievement highlights not only Zonglin's strategic thinking but also his ability to mobilize diverse teams toward ambitious goals under intense pressure.
Beyond his summit success, Zonglin earned the valedictorian award in the prestigious University of Chicago's Monetary Policy and International Finance Program, demonstrating his deep understanding of the global economic systems that underpin sustainable development. This rigorous program, known for attracting exceptional students worldwide, provided Zonglin with advanced insights into how financial mechanisms can drive climate action and social change.
As President of SEESALT-VerdeVision, Zonglin is revolutionizing climate education through his innovative project Ecopia, an online multiplayer climate activism simulator targeting Latin American youth. Drawing on his six years of living in Mexico and his fluency in Spanish, Zonglin understands the unique challenges and opportunities that the region presents. His experience as a Roblox project manager, where he led over 20 students to win a national award worth 10,000 RMB for a cultural gaming project, positions him perfectly to create engaging digital experiences that inspire real-world action.
Previously serving as Regional Contact Person for Southern Europe at Youth and Environment Europe (YEE), Zonglin has built extensive networks across continents, facilitating collaboration on environmental initiatives. His United World College education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he earned an impressive 40 out of 42 on the International Baccalaureate diploma while leading campaigns to reduce plastic waste and promote renewable energy, shaped his global perspective on sustainability challenges. Currently pursuing a degree in Economics and International Studies at Macalester College, Zonglin embodies SEESALT's mission of empowering young leaders to address global challenges through local innovation.
P.S. You may also see the other 6 SEESALT Consultants, including Zhijun, Yuyan, Siyao, Jefferey, Ibrahim, and Ngugi, in the picture!