In this powerful and thought-provoking TEDxUniversityofPretoria talk, Adonia Mankou Yanate, an interior designer and founder of Shumukh Design, explores how Africa can redefine progress through architecture that feels deeply African — not just modern on the surface.Adonia challenges the myth that design is neutral, revealing how the spaces we build shape not only our cities but our sense of belonging and identity. From the Great Mosque of Djenné to rondavels and rock-hewn churches, she draws wisdom from centuries of African architecture — sustainable, community-centered, and climate-responsive by design.In a world obsessed with glass towers and imported blueprints, Adonia calls for a return to design rooted in culture, climate, and connection — where architecture becomes both a physical and emotional home for Africans.Her talk is a visionary blueprint for the future — one where African cities stand not as echoes of elsewhere, but as bold statements of identity, resilience, and belonging.#TEDxUniversityofPretoria #AfricanDesign #Architecture #Sustainability #Identity #UrbanDesign #Heritage #FutureCities Adonia Mankou Yanate is a qualified interior designer and founder of Shumukh Design, an emerging interior design studio based in South Africa. With a philosophy rooted in storytelling, cultural relevance, and spatial impact, she is committed to redefining how African spaces are imagined, experienced, and valued. Her work balances modern innovation with the richness of African materiality, heritage, and form, creating interiors that are visually striking, deeply intentional, and proudly connected to the continent’s creative legacy. Adonia’s work and perspective have been featured in African Column, Lioness of Africa, To Build magazine, Afrimaxx on DW (Deutsche Welle), Africa Radio, and showcased at Decorex South Africa. 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

Naga takes us on a journey from Kappad in South India - the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498 - to the vibrant landscapes of North East India, raising a larger question of climate action. In this thought-provoking talk, he shares compelling real-life cases. Through these stories, we witness how communities are moving beyond adaptation to actively creating solutions that protect our planet. Drawing on his rich experience mentoring entrepreneurs across India, he highlights the power of local innovation, grassroots action, and sustainable practices in addressing climate challenges. His narrative reminds us that impact-driven thinking can transform lives while safeguarding the environment. This talk is an invitation to reimagine our role in the climate movement - not as passive seekers of solutions, but as active preventers of crises - and a call to action for youth, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Guided by the belief that India’s strengths lie in its people, problems and technology, Naga continues to mentor entrepreneurs and advise institutions shaping the nation’s social enterprise ecosystem. #ClimateAction #ClimateSolutions #SustainableFuture #GrassrootsInnovation #ClimatePreventers #ImpactEntrepreneurship #ClimateChange #SDGs #ClimateChange #ClimateSeeker #CarbonFootprints Fondly called as Naga Sir, Prof. Nagaraja Prakasam is an angel investor, mentor, and partner at Acumen, and founding Angel - IAN Impact (Indian Angel Network). He co-founded Nativelead Foundation to support rural entrepreneurs and changemakers. An engineer with an MBA, he worked in the US tech industry for over a decade before returning to India. Through his book Back to Bharat, he shares stories of grassroots innovation and sustainable living. He believes rural communities, with their simple, low-carbon lifestyles, deserve fair carbon credits for protecting the environment. His vision shows how valuing rural wisdom can shape a truly sustainable future for India. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of loneliness, social media, and health which warrant further scientific investigation. Several claims currently lack sufficient scientific support. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfDr. Iza Correll asserts that loneliness is not just painful, but life-threatening. It increases all-cause mortality rates and is now recognized as a major public health concern. As founder of OVI Children’s Hospital, Kenya’s first and only long-term pediatric care facility for abandoned and critically ill children, she has seen how the emotional pain of isolation can be harder to heal than the most advanced cases of disease.In her TEDx talk, Why We Are Lonely, Iza combines scientific research with moving stories from her work to show how loneliness has evolved from a biological signal into one of the most urgent crises of our time. A Doctor of Medical Science specialized in global health, US PA-C, UK Hall of Fame inductee, and the youngest recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship, she brings both passion and lived experience to the stage, challenging audiences to see connection as a biological need. Dr. Iza Correll is the founder of OVI Children’s Hospital, Kenya’s 1st and only long-term pediatric care facility of its kind. OVI provides free care for children with terminal illnesses or debilitating conditions who have been abandoned or rescued from environments unable to meet their needs. Patients receive 24/7 medical treatment, daily therapies, and the love and comfort every child deserves. The hospital’s model is built to make children feel safe and valued, focusing on healing bodies but also on mending broken hearts. Iza’s mission is to create a world where no child feels alone. She leads a growing team expanding their hospital system across Kenya.Iza holds a Doctor of Medical Science degree in global health, is a dually licensed US Physician Associate & Kenyan Clinical Officer, UK Hall of Fame Inductee & the youngest recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship, an honor she shares with President Jimmy Carter and Michael J. Fox. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of brainwaves, technology, and neurodiversity. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfIn this TEDx talk, Dr Yvonne explores how neuroscience and creativity can come together in powerful ways. Using a brainwave device, she demonstrates how thoughts and emotions can be translated into real-time sound and visuals, turning mental states into living works of art. This talk challenges the idea that art requires years of training or traditional tools — showing instead that creativity is already alive within each of us. Beyond art, this technology also opens new possibilities for people who struggle to speak, move, or communicate, giving them a new way to express themselves. It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence, authenticity, and seizing the chance to express who you are in the moment. Dr. Yvonne is a Childhood Neurodevelopment Specialist and Fellow of the International Board of Functional Neurology, specializing in treating neurodevelopmental disorders. At Neuroactivehub, she uses functional neuroscience, music, and digital arts to improve brain health and treat conditions like post-concussion syndrome. She also practices at Brainhub Sydney and YC Chiropractic & Exercise Therapy, offering chiropractic care to support brain performance and neurodevelopment. .Dr. Yvonne holds a postgraduate diploma in childhood functional neurodevelopment and a Master’s degree in Chiropractic from Macquarie University. Dedicated to helping children with autism spectrum disorders, she incorporates the Mellilo Method and functional neuroscience principles in her practice. She is also passionate about mentoring emerging professionals in her field. 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

Polyamory is an authentic way to demonstrate love and experience connection with multiple partners. In polyamory, we can express a variety of desires, develop community, and form meaningful relationships. This talk explores the benefits and challenges of polyamory and the possibilities of open relationships in our current society.Dr. David Pascale Hague earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2015. He is an assistant professor in Counseling Psychology and is the Director of the Community Mental Health Clinic in the College of Education. Dr. Hague teaches ethics, practicum, and psychopathology courses for master’s and doctoral students. He is a licensed psychologist in Kentucky, maintains a small private practice, and sits on the board of the Kentucky Psychological Foundation. Additionally, he is the current liaison for LGBTQIA issues with APA Division 31 (State, Provincial, and Territorial Associations). Dr. Pascale Hague’s clinical and research interests focus on working with sexual, relationship, and gender minority groups.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

Jarryd Atkinson is currently studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education at the ACU, majoring in Religious Education and Geography, he holds the position of Youth Ministry Coordinator at Saint Ignatius College.Jarryd has a deep fascination with storytelling in all mediums, and believes that the narratives we co-create and share vicariously have the power to totally define who we are, and how we are, in this world.This talk will explore how companionship – in its rawest, etymological sense – adds necessary depth and meaning to our lives, sets the foundation for richer, more authentic relationships, and provides a blueprint for how we ought to engage with our neighbours and the stranger. Jarryd is a teacher at St Ignatius College Geelong. 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