Max Han is the co-founder of Youths United for Earth (YUFE), an award-winning grassroots non-profit mobilising youths for environmental action through storytelling, campaigns, and advocacy. Since 2019, Max has reached over 50,000 people by spearheading initiatives, including Malaysia's first and largest youth sustainability mentorship. YUFE has since engaged UN agencies, the EU, the Central Bank of Malaysia, and now advises Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. Internationally, Max has advocated for environmental rights and climate justice at the UN Headquarters, UN Climate Change, ASEAN, Stanford University, Princeton University, One Young World and more. As a scholar, he is a published chapter author of the book “Lala-land: Singapore’s Seafood Heritage.”

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Currently, Max is drafting Southeast Asia’s first Environmental Rights Declaration under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with UN bodies, diplomats, and marginalised communities.

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Recognised for his work, Max was personally awarded by the UN Messenger of Peace, Dr Jane Goodall, and named by Prestige as one of Malaysia’s 40 most successful, innovative, and influential people. He has received the Princess Diana Award, Tatler’s Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow, and the North American Association for Environmental Education’s 30 Under 30. He is also the first Southeast Asian to be named a Future Nobel Laureate Scholar.

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