In this compelling talk, Sabeen traces the journey from self-doubt to self-definition, revealing how purpose, perseverance, and an unyielding desire to be seen can turn fear into fuel. But this isn’t just a personal victory; it’s a challenge to every stereotype that tells young women, especially from the Global South, that they must shrink to fit the mold.Through moments of vulnerability, fierce ambition, and fearless risk-taking, Sabeen explores how true power is not inherited; it’s built. Brick by brick. Word by word. And it begins the moment you stop waiting for permission to matter.This talk is a call to anyone who has ever felt overlooked or underestimated: Own your story. Embrace your voice. And never underestimate the fire that lives inside a girl who’s told she can’t — and dares to anyway. Hello! My name is Sabeen, and I’m currently a 2nd year student in LUMS.I’ve been an enthusiastic participant in the public speaking space and have participated in multiple Model UN conferences throughout my Highschool. In February of 2024, I proudly represented Pakistan at the Harvard National Model UN conference in the United States, where I became the first Pakistani to win the esteemed Best Delegate Award. My team also defended the Best Delegation title.After the conference, I had the honour of being invited to meet state officials such as the President and the Chief Minister of Punjab, alongside social leaders such as Mr Babar Ali, the founder of LUMS. Our victory was also publicly celebrated by many news outlets and media organisations including ARY, BOL and PTV.I hold a strong passion for community service which is exemplified through my organisation Shanakht, which hosts podcasts, yearly donation drives and nationwide internship programmes. Through Shanakht we aim to foster discourse, give back to society in a meaningful way, and train the leaders of tomorrow.My experience travelling abroad to an international conference hosting multiple delegations of various nations, and emerging victorious from amongst them, has deepened my passion for sparking public awareness regarding the importance of dialogue, discussion and discourse - particularly for the young, the women, and the marginalised. 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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- 2:37Awakening Festac Town | Benita-Maria Kelechi Opara (rialena_tm) | TEDxFestac TownFestac Town hosted a global Arts and Cultural Festival in 1977 which brought nations together to celebrate culture and diversity. This talk is a reminder of that history and a clarion call to every one affiliated with Festac Town to remember and celebrate their roots and the rich culture they possess. It is a reminder of Festac 1977 and the impact it had in bringing together different cultures and arts, from across nations, which can be done again, in a bigger and better manner. But firstly, the people have to awaken that fire that was once there in 1977.Intro audio: Chillout by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Benita-Maria Kelechi Opara, also known as Rialena, is a first-class graduate of Architecture and an award-winning spoken word artiste with over nine years of experience in poetry and performance. For her, spoken word transcends art - it is a powerful medium for expressing her faith, challenging perspectives and shaping culture. Rialena has performed across diverse platforms and audiences. Her piece “I Have Decided” won the 2024 Ekpebiwo’m Spoken Word Challenge, earning acclaim for its depth and delivery. Beyond poetry, Rialena is a skilled public speaker who has trained over 100 students in the last two years on effective communication and presentation. She is also an experienced event host, an avid reader and researcher, and a contributing writer with a passion for thought-provoking articles. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Architecture at the prestigious Covenant University. Her growing body of work can be explored at https://linktr.ee/rialenatm. 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
