Our Ambassadors

Country Examples per Year

Moldova

  • Ambassador Icon Oxana Zaporoniuc

Oxana Zaporoniuc, a WIPO IP Youth Ambassador from the Republic of Moldova, developed an innovative packaging design for fragile glass bottles that minimizes the use of materials, enhancing ecological sustainability. Her design features a smart lock-in function, ensuring product protection while allowing consumers to view the glass container without opening the package. In 2023, she registered her industrial design with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) and aims to license it for commercial use. As a Youth Ambassador, Oxana will promote IP education among young creators and innovators in her country and region, inspiring the next generation to leverage IP for their creative and entrepreneurial endeavors.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2024/news_0023.html

After protecting my intellectual property (IP), I feel more confident and safer as an innovative creator, and that’s worth it. The process of registering my industrial design turned out to be easier than what I thought it would be. Many novice university students don’t know what IP is, but it is so important for them to learn about it, and it is so helpful to apply for protection.

Oxana Zaporoniuc Innovative Designer and WIPO IP Youth Ambassador from the Republic of Moldova

Peru

  • Ambassador Icon Ms. Dayana Meléndez

Dayana S. Meléndez Vargas, an eleven-year-old writer and equestrian from Huambo, Peru, was appointed as a WIPO IP Youth Ambassador in 2023. She authored and illustrated "The Adventures of Dayana and Her Horse, Guapo," a story inspired by her victory in a local horse race. Her work promotes gender equality in sports and IP awareness. Supported by her community and Indecopi, Dayana registered her creative works, highlighting the importance of IP protection. As an ambassador, she advocates for IP education among young creators in her region.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2023/news_0045.html

IP is very important to me, as a writer, and as a member of the Huambo community, because it is very comforting for me to know that my creativity is something that can be protected. I want to learn more about IP in school, because I want other children in my community to know about it too.

Ms. Dayana Meléndez Peruvian Writer and Illustrator

Philippines

  • Ambassador Icon Yzhae Marrione Capuno Villaruel
  • Ambassador Icon David Elijah Corsini C. Atup
  • Ambassador Icon Josefino Nino O. Ligan
  • Ambassador Icon Chesyne Danielle Galura Pepito

Nino, Chesyne, David, and Yzhae stand as shining examples of innovation and altruism in the Philippines, earning the prestigious WIPO IP Youth Ambassadorship. Their recognition stems from their remarkable contributions to their communities through inventive solutions, all while embodying the principles of intellectual property (IP) rights. As part of this esteemed cadre of ambassadors, they will champion the importance of IP among young creators and innovators, leveraging their experiences to inspire and educate others. Empowered by the tailored IP education provided by the IP4Youth&Teachers service, Nino, Chesyne, David, and Yzhae are poised to lead a transformative journey, advancing the role of IP in driving positive change within their region and beyond.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ip-advantage/w/stories/wipo-academy/how-is-ip-fueling-future-innovators-in-the-philippines

My biggest challenge was finding the materials and tools, but my robotics programming coach, let me use her laboratory and tools so I can build the cane with the materials my parents covered. It would have been impossible without this support.

Yzhae Marrione Capuno Villaruel Inventor (Philippines)

It would be really useful to have IP included in curriculum as it would be helpful knowledge for someone with ambitious ideas for the country.

David Elijah Corsini C. Atup IMAHE Inventor (Philippines)

In the Philippines, the incomes of many households depend on the health of the oceans, so micro-plastics are hazardous to both our health, the economy and the ecosystem.

Josefino Nino O. Ligan IMAHE Inventor (Philippines)

We want to make sure that IMAHE is cost effective and affordable, so it can to be accessible worldwide to address this issue of global concern, and more importantly to help the Philippines prosper because the environment has an economic impact on the country.

Chesyne Danielle Galura Pepito IMAHE Inventor (Philippines)

Romania

  • Ambassador Icon Călin-Tudor Topan

Călin-Tudor Topan, a 15-year-old Romanian painter, was appointed as a WIPO IP Youth Ambassador in 2022. He is recognized for his unique and award-winning art, having won the 2020 special edition Autumn Colors international painting competition and placed second in the National Icoana sufletului de copil competition. Understanding his IP rights has empowered him to protect and present his works. As an ambassador, he promotes IP education among youth in Romania and the Central European and Baltic States.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2022/news_0013.html

It would be very helpful to young painters like myself to have an IP lesson in school, because being knowledgeable on what copyright is would definitely help when building a career in the arts.

Călin-Tudor Topan Romanian Painter

Oman

  • Ambassador Icon Neeam Al Harrasi

Neeam Al Harrasi, WIPO's first IP Youth Ambassador for Oman and the Arab region, is a young inventor who developed a biodegradable plastic using local materials like rice water and fish scales. Her innovation won first place in Oman’s Cognitive Development Competition in 2019. Neeams work emphasizes sustainable solutions to plastic pollution and highlights the importance of IP protection. She actively promotes IP education among youth through WIPO Academy's IP4Youth&Teachers Initiative.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2022/news_0010.html

The best part about innovating at school is working in a group, because it breeds innovative ideas since each group member has a different way of thinking.

Neeam Al Harrasi Omani Inventor

Georgia

  • Ambassador Icon Tamari Tateshvili

Salome Tateshvili, Tamari Tateshvili, and Saba Zedginidze, co-founders of the GoGeoGo app, have been appointed as IP Youth Ambassadors for Georgia by WIPO. The app assists tourists with navigating the transport system in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia, and has won multiple awards, including first place in the Technovation Challenge and third place in the Millennium Innovations Awards. Their achievements underscore their innovative contributions to tourism and IP awareness among the youth in their region.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2021/news_0023.html

If you have a good idea, don’t give up on it. Start now, write it down and make a plan. People will encourage and discourage you, so you just need to be self-motivated at the end of the day. With access to a computer and internet you can achieve anything.

Tamari Tateshvili Co-founder of GoGeoGo

Viet Nam

  • Ambassador Icon DO Trong Minh Duc
  • Ambassador Icon TRAN Nguyen Khanh An
  • Ambassador Icon NGUYEN Hoang Phuc

DO Trong Minh Duc, TRAN Nguyen Khanh An, and NGUYEN Hoang Phuc, young Vietnamese inventors, were appointed as WIPO IP Youth Ambassadors for their innovative VIHELM helmet, designed to protect frontline workers against COVID-19. This mobile isolation helmet includes ventilators and comfort features, and their IP is protected by an international patent application and a trademark. Their recognition underscores their contribution to public health and IP awareness in their region.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2021/news_0038.html

We wanted to do something that could help the world deal with COVID-19, and we hope that VIHELM can be used by those who need it for the greater good.

DO Trong Minh Duc VIHELM co-inventor and Team Leader

Sometimes it is good to take in the negative comments... it can help you grow.

TRAN Nguyen Khanh An VIHELM co-inventor

I feel so lucky that something I worked on for so long came true, it really is a great feeling to see your ideas become a reality, even if you are young and have to deal with those who doubt your ideas.

NGUYEN Hoang Phuc VIHELM co-inventor

Peru

  • Ambassador Icon Santiago Mena López

Santiago Mena López, WIPOs first IP Youth Ambassador, is an award-winning writer and Perus youngest author, having published his first novel, "Encogidos," at 14. As an ambassador, he promotes IP education among young people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Santiago emphasizes the importance of IP for protecting and valuing creative works, encouraging young creators, and raising IP awareness through education. His achievements highlight the role of IP in fostering creativity and innovation among youth.

For more details: https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2020/03/article_0003.html

Creativity is linked to the very essence of human nature. Critical thinking or reflection on more profound issues is impossible without creativity. It is extremely important for human progress.

Santiago Mena López WIPO Academy’s First IP Youth Ambassador, Peru