At 14, a simple parkour attempt revealed a life-changing truth: I was living with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes extreme muscle weakness. In this talk, I share my journey from confusion and denial to acceptance and empowerment, showing how invisible struggles can reveal hidden strengths. Through personal anecdotes, medical insights, and lessons in resilience, I explore how facing challenges even silent ones can transform the way we live, learn, and lead. Hande Özcan is a high school student at Üsküdar American Academy with a passion for leadership and global affairs. She founded her school’s DECA chapter, serves on the student council, and is active in MUN. Living with Myasthenia Gravis, she draws strength and empathy from her experience while mentoring others and building her leadership skills. 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

In today’s world, our most valuable resource isn’t gold, oil, or even money it’s attention. This talk explores the rise of the attention economy and how it mirrors a new form of digital feudalism. Just as serfs once worked the fields for lords, we now generate endless streams of data for tech giants, often without realizing it. Through stories, metaphors, and real-world examples, this talk reveals how platforms harvest our behavior, shape our choices, and even manipulate our sense of reality. But it’s not all doom and gloom by becoming aware of these hidden systems, we can reclaim our attention, protect our focus, and decide how we truly want to spend our most finite resource: time. Ela Nur Halil is a 9th-grade student at Üsküdar American Academy. She is enthusiastic about using technology to support underprivileged communities. As a member of her school’s debate club and Türkiye’s national debate team, she is passionate about the intersection of social sciences and data analysis in solving real-world challenges. Beyond academics, she is deeply engaged in tango and playing the piano. 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

What does it mean to truly exist? Are the choices we make really ours, or are we conditioned by culture, society, and circumstance? In this talk, I explore the tension between inherited identity and authentic selfhood. From the invisible forces shaping our behaviour to the subtle manipulations that guide our thoughts, I challenge the audience to question everything they take for granted. By daring to be fully present and free, we can awaken to a life of curiosity, creativity, and authentic emergence becoming, in essence, the 9th Symphony of our own existence. I am a psychotherapist who graduated from California State University, Fullerton. As well as running my own private practice, I have worked with UN Women and staged a show about gender equality. I have also produced a TV show on self-development and am a published writer. 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

Why does Gen Z laugh at tragedy? From memes about pandemics to TikToks about depression, their humor often shocks older generations. But behind the irony and absurdity lies something deeper: survival. This talk explores how dark humor, irony, and memes function as coping mechanisms in an age of constant crisis revealing that behind every laugh is fear, grief, and resilience. Zeynep Küçükmustafa is a 9th grade student at Üsküdar American Academy in Istanbul, where she is deeply involved in academic and extracurricular activities. She currently serves as the president of the World Scholars Cup club and has represented her school in various international competitions. Zeynep is passionate about social issues and is actively engaged in projects like Econofem, which promotes economic literacy in Turkey. She is the new treasurer of the Student Council and also an advocate for marginalized voices through her involvement as the liaison manager in Turkey’s Unheard Voices. In addition, Zeynep participates in the MUN club, bettering her leadership and diplomacy skills while working on global issues. Through these efforts, she demonstrates her commitment to creating positive change and making her voice heard. 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

The nature of careers has changed since the 20th century. Today, technical skills are no longer sufficient. In light of this observation, Jean-Baptiste Morin offers a simple solution for finding a job that suits us. Jean Baptiste is an engineer (ENSTA Brest) and PhD student in career studies at UCO Angers. His professional career began internationally with six years of experience in Asia as Career Manager at ESSEC in Singapore, initiator of responsible innovation projects at a university in Indonesia, and consultant in innovation financing. These experiences have given Jean Baptiste a strong understanding of the business world, in-depth knowledge of the challenges facing higher education, and a keen awareness of innovation. Back in France, Jean Baptiste created the BeHave® model, the result of these years of experience, which gave him a clear goal: to equip students with everything they need to tackle their professional lives. Two educational innovation awards later, with more than 7,000 students supported, Jean Baptiste continues to accelerate the rollout of BeHave today. 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

In her talk, Shireen explores how collective dreams and visionary leadership can spark transformation, reminding us that resilience and purpose shape the future we dare to imagine. She talks about dedicating her life to empowering communities, amplifying unheard voices, and inspiring change through courage and compassion. Shireen Gheba Najib is an activist, mentor, and cancer survivor whose journey embodies resilience and hope. She has dedicated her life to empowering communities, amplifying unheard voices, and inspiring change through courage and compassion. 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