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By Tríona Ryan, TEDxYouth@NIS Event Organiser

Collective action comes from a strong community commitment to inclusion. TEDxYouth@NIS is in its 8^th year, a lucky number for us and all the members of the team this year. The event begins each year as a meeting of minds. Student organisers meet with the teacher team to brainstorm concepts, themes, and titles, whilst becoming accelerated experts in the ethos and aims of TEDx events worldwide. All good TEDx talks are either something that’s new and surprising or a with a compelling new argument behind it that challenges entrenched beliefs and perspectives. Over the years, we have had themes and talks that span the innovative, the unique, and the inspirational. Embracing the spirit of the event, this year’s organisers embarked upon an adventure of wordsmithing, colour coordinating, and graphic design, before finally consolidating the 2024 theme, Light The Spark.

And light it, they did. Theme solidified, the team tackled the practical, and seemingly endless list of tasks that precede the event, learning valuable soft skills and organisational strategies along the way.

“Organising TEDxYouth@NIS this year has been an amazing experience,” said Kirsten, from Grade 10, adding that the team was “flexible and understanding, making our teamwork seamless. Our adult leaders guided us with patience and elevated our ideas.”

This resonated across the student organising team. Haju, a Grade 11 DP student also emphasized the collaborative spirit of the event organisation, and the skills developed throughout.

“Being a student organiser of TEDxYouth@NIS was such a meaningful experience. Everything from deciding the theme to designing the logo has taught me so much of what goes on behind the scenes of these amazing events”. Suin, another Grade 11 DP member of the team said that this experience was “enriching and impactful” and notes “the tremendous amount of support from all those involved.”

Veteran team member and co-organiser, Ms. Christel Luo, is passionate about this annual event, working tirelessly to ensure its success.

“TEDxYouth@NIS is truly inspiring. The speakers have shown tremendous dedication, persistence, and a relentless pursuit of bringing the best of themselves onto the stage.”

The entire TEDxYouth@NIS crew are united in their praise and appreciation for the support they receive across the community- from the push to promote the event across all platforms, to the overwhelming audience participation, to the wholehearted enjoyment of the half-time refreshments and networking intermission.

Event organiser, Ms. Tríona Ryan, believes that TEDxYouth@NIS is integral in weaving the tapestry of belonging that makes NIS so unique.

“We live in a time of unprecedented change. Yet some things remain the same. Old friends and new meet at TEDxYouth@NIS each year to listen to what our community feels are ideas worth spreading. Listening to new perspectives allows us to break down barriers to inclusion.”