This talk explores the “power of food” and how our daily choices around meals shape both physical and mental well-being. Drawing on her experience as a registered dietitian, the speaker shares memorable stories from working in elder care, supporting patients with eating disorders, and learning from her own grandparents’ longevity and lifestyle. She highlights how food is not only about nutrition, but also about memory, connection, and happiness. Through examples from Japanese food culture and school lunches, she demonstrates how small, mindful investments in food—just a few extra minutes a day—can enrich health, strengthen communities, and lead to a more fulfilling life. 本トークでは「食の持つ力」について、日々の食事の選択が心身の健康にどのように影響するかを考えます。管理栄養士として高齢者施設での経験、摂食障害を抱える方の食生活改善、そして103歳と94歳の祖父母から学んだ食と長寿の秘訣などを交え、食がもつ栄養だけでなく「記憶」「つながり」「幸せ」を生む力を紹介します。さらに、日本の食文化や学校給食を例に、日常の中で食を大切にする小さな習慣が、未来の健康と豊かな人生につながることを伝えます。 【出身・Hometown】神奈川県/Kanagawa Prefecture大手グループの食品会社で、商品の旨味、塩味、甘味などの味覚のバランスを加味した美味しさの研究を行い、メニュー提案、商品企画を行う。 その後、高齢者施設で、コスト削減を視野に入れた効果的な栄養管理を行う。現在は、独立し、高齢者や、術後の機能回復・維持を目的としたデイサービスの栄養サービス導入のアドバイザー、都内の国家公務員系の病院の病院食の導入のアドバイザー、経営者層向けの仕事のパフォーマンスの上がる栄養相談、飲食店向けの美味しさの研究をベースにしたレシピ提案を行う。 同時に、順天堂大学大学院医学研究科にて、健康長寿のプロジェクトにも栄養面より参加。今回は栄養の観点から人生における重要性を訴えかける。 After working in product development and taste research at a major food company, she managed nutrition in elderly care facilities. Now independent, she advises day services, hospitals, and executives, and develops recipes for restaurants. She also contributes to a healthy longevity project at Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine. Today, she is going to appeal the importance of meals in life from the perspective as a dietitian. 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 Talk argues that Romania's history has fostered a culture of distrust and a "we can't do it" mentality, which prevents progress and change. It then uses the successful community-driven effort to build a hospital for children—born from a tragic failure of the public system—as evidence that choosing to believe and working together in strong local communities is the only way to drive real, lasting change in the country. Oana Gheorghiu is a remarkable example of personal transformation and deep civic engagement. After leading the Romanian operations of a French company, she chose to dedicate her energy and experience to a greater cause: the common good.In 2012, together with Carmen Uscatu, she co-founded the NGO Dăruiește Viață, making a decisive contribution to shifting paradigms within Romania’s healthcare system. Under her coordination, the construction of the first independent pediatric oncology hospital in Romania was launched. This groundbreaking project, funded entirely through donations and sponsorships, serves as a beacon of hope for Romanian society.Active, determined, and deeply empathetic, Oana fights not only against bureaucracy but also for reminding people that civic involvement is a transformative force. Her voice remains powerful, credible, and mobilizing, whether on stage at a conference or out in the streets among people. 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

For Nitya, storytelling takes many forms — through code, dance, song, and words. She believes growth happens in the present, not in waiting for the “perfect” moment. Nitya’s message centres on mastering your mindset and embracing a mindshift that turns challenges into opportunities, unlocking your full potential through the Power of Now. Storytelling is an art that connects us all. For 20-year-old Nitya Chatla, it comes alive in the code she writes, the dances she performs, the songs she sings, and the stories she shares. Whether listening or speaking, Nitya thrives on connection. Her journey is full of challenges, growth, and the everyday moments that shape us all as she navigates life with curiosity, ambition, and heart. As a third-year Software Engineering student at Victoria University and a proud Indian woman, Nitya embraces the power of now - believing growth happens in the present, not while waiting for the “perfect” moment. Her journey is rooted in fine-tuning the art of mindshift, the belief that shifting your perspective can transform challenges into opportunities. Her message is simple: master your mindset, gaslight yourself (in the best way), and unlock your full potential. 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

Meg has spent her life answering the question, “Why do you care?” with “Why don’t you?” She believes our future depends on collective effort, not just a passionate few, and urges everyone to start caring and acting now. Meg works to amplify unheard voices, from leading protests to bringing youth perspectives into major organisations. Through her TEDx talk, she hopes to inspire unity and action in this critical moment for our world. All her life, people have asked Meg Lange, “Why do you care?” and her response continues to be “Why don’t you?” Meg believes that our world and our future depend on more than just the efforts of a passionate few, and that we need unification and collective effort; we need people to start caring. She is excited to speak with the TEDxYouth Audience about how precious this moment is, and how we need to use it to join together and start caring for our world.Meg is an advocate for a future where we are all equal. An activist and advocate in every part of her life, she is constantly seeking opportunities to give a voice to the voiceless and to uplift those voices that society tries to silence. From organising protest actions to injecting youth voice into large organisations and projects, she fights to make a change. 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

After facing her own mental health challenges, Abby is using her TEDx talk to challenge the idea that “being strong” means staying silent. She believes mental health is a shared responsibility and that real change begins now, through how we talk, listen, and support one another. Abby Plom is a seventeen-year-old student at Pākuranga College in Tāmaki Makaurau, where she is also proud to be Head Girl. She is the Chairperson of her local Youth Council, a football player, and someone who loves forcing her friends to care about politics, and curling up with a cup of tea and a good book.But amidst all that, she was also quietly dealing with her own mental health struggles and grief. And through it all, she kept being told the same thing: “Be strong.”There’s this illusion that “being strong” is always helpful — but often, it’s just another way we push people to stay silent. Another way we avoid sitting with discomfort. Another way we make people carry their pain alone. That’s why Abby is stepping onto the TEDx stage — to challenge the belief that mental health is a personal burden. It’s not. It’s a collective responsibility, and we all have a role to play in creating a culture where support is second nature, not a last resort. This message ties directly into this year’s TEDx theme, “The Power of Now.” Because change doesn’t start someday — it starts right now, with how we talk, listen, and show up for each other. 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

With Egyptian whakapapa and roots in Dunedin, Jomana is passionate about creating access to learning and opportunity for all, especially rangatahi. Jomana is a second-year university student studying law and politics at Ōtākou Whakaiku Waka | University of Otago. She is passionate about access to opportunity and learning for all people, especially for rangatahi. Her whakapapa is Egyptian, and she was raised in Ōtepoti, Dunedin. Among other things, she loves writing, learning and music, but she loves all those things more when she gets to share them with people. She is excited to speak on this year’s theme and to connect with other incredible speakers. 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