Can a garden grow more than just vegetables? What if it could grow collaboration, connection and even culture?In this moving and insightful talk, a university gardener-turned-leader shares how an old barn and a few beds of soil transformed into a thriving community one where people formed friendships, built startups, shared values, and healed together. Reflecting on history, student life, and the instinctual human need to co-create, this talk invites us to rethink what makes teams truly work and how gardens might just be the missing piece. Emilio Garcia Padron is a social entrepreneur and community garden advocate, whose journey has intertwined the cultivation of green spaces with the fostering of innovation and team synergy. At 18, he became president of Edible Campus, a society responsible for maintaining an expansive community farm at Lancaster University. Under his leadership, the society grew into the third-largest at the university, receiving the prestigious LUSU Sustainability Award.Through his experiences, Emilio has demonstrated the untapped potential of gardens, proving that they are not just spaces for reflection, but powerful ecosystems for nurturing creativity, collaboration, and sustainable change. His TEDx talk, “Over the Garden Wall: The Importance of Touching Grass,” aims to spread the idea that green spaces are vital for fostering team culture, innovation, and personal growth, offering a fresh perspective on how to make a positive impact in a fast-paced world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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- 18:40One More Day | Ananth Mahadevan | TEDxNM CollegeWhat can a Holocaust survivor’s will to live teach us about purpose? In this moving talk, Ananth Mahadevan draws inspiration from Ella Blumenthal’s story to reflect on his own journey through rejection, tragedy and artistic struggle. From science to global cinema, it's a testament to holding on - one more day at a time. Anant Mahadevan is an accomplished filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor, known for his thought-provoking storytelling and impactful contributions to Indian cinema, blending creativity with social relevance in his work. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:09Sustainability & Me | Preetthika C V | TEDxThe NGP School CoimbatoreSustainability as essential to preserving the beauty of our world. The speaker's project, EduTools At EASE, focuses on bridging educational disparities and promoting sustainable habits among students. Through surveys and creative problem-solving, I developed a prototype aimed at empowering students while minimizing waste. Technology plays a crucial role in making sustainable education accessible, efficient, and eco-friendly.*Takeaway-Sustainability isn't just a global mission — it's a personal responsibility, starting with simple, innovative actions. Preetthika is a passionate advocate for sustainability through education, dedicated to making a difference through thoughtful and practical ideas. She combines her curiosity and deep thinking with leadership and organizational skills to develop meaningful solutions. Preetthika believes that even small efforts can create impactful change, inspiring her peers to rethink waste and resource use.She has a strong interest in public speaking and music her drive to learn deeply and connect meaningfully shapes her approach to both studies and social initiatives.Preetthika ranked among the top 25 students nationwide in the 2023 National Level Sustainability Competition organized by 1M1B (One Million for One Billion) in collaboration with Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd. Through this competition, Preetthika conceptualized “EduTools At EASE,” a project aimed at supplying quality stationery to students in need, leveraging technology to manage and track supplies efficiently. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
