A river never forgets its path: What history and indigenous knowledge can teach us about flood-related disaster preparedness. Focusing on the once mighty River Ravi, activist and artist Abuzar Madhu gives historical and literary evidence to show why "listening" to rivers and submitting to their might is the only way developing nations can avoid flood related disasters that are increasingly impacting communities due to accelerated climate change Abuzar Madhu is a Pakistani performing artist, writer, and activist based in Lahore. He is a founding member of the "Ravi Bachao Tehreek" (Save Ravi Movement), an organization dedicated to protecting the Ravi River from pollution and advocating for its rights. Madhu uses his art, including theatrical performances and storytelling, to raise awareness about environmental degradation and the importance of preserving natural resources. He also highlights the connection between human lives and the environment by collecting folklore from communities living along the riverbanks. 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 on climate mobility, Mehak confronts the uncomfortable truth that displacement due to climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. With clarity and empathy, she reframes the narrative; not as a crisis to resist, but as a transformation we must learn to adapt to. Her message is both urgent and hopeful: adaptation is not surrender, but survival, and it demands reimagining how we live, move, and belong in a changing world. Mehak Masood, a respected Environmentalist and Climate Change Scientist, earned her "Master of Environment" from The University of Melbourne on the Australia Awards Scholarship in 2018. With 15+ years' experience, she led environmental, sustainability, and climate change efforts at Government of Pakistan, UN, USAID, GIZ, The British Council, IUCN, DAI, Interloop, Artistic Milliners and the University of Melbourne. Presently, as National Project Officer, Climate Change in UN-IOM Pakistan, & she also founded Green Women Pakistan. Her global recognition includes representing Pakistan at the Mosaic International Leadership Programme, completing the Climate Reality Project Training by Al Gore, and presenting a green social entrepreneurship project to HRH King Charles. 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

Climate change policy is often obscured by unrealistic outlooks. Osama Rizvi’s talk offers a grounded perspective on energy transitions, urging practical steps to cut emissions while ensuring equitable growth for the Global South. Osama is an international energy and economic analyst with a special focus on political economy of climate change and asymmetry of carbon emission. I am a regular panelist at Sky News, TRT World, CNBC and a partner at World Times International. As the South Asia Chair for the Society for Low Carbon Technologies and an analyst at the U.S.-based Primary Vision Network, his work focuses on energy transitions, climate change, and global commodity markets. 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

Alexia Borg est entrepreneure, coach certifiée d'état, journaliste, tout en étant une présentatrice marquante, redéfinissant le secteur des ressources humaines dans les médias. Elle a travaillé pour des chaînes télévisées telles que Le Figaro TV et BFM Business, ainsi que pour le magazine Forbes France. Célèbre pour son approche humaniste et prospectiviste, elle est suivie par près de 35 000 personnes sur LinkedIn. Elle anime régulièrement des conférences visant à vaincre la solitude professionnelle et personnelle, tout en aidant les individus à se dépasser et retrouver confiance en eux. Alexia est, par ailleurs, ambassadrice de l'association Action Solitude, en France et à l'international. Elle figure également dans le "top 20 des femmes entrepreneures à suivre en 2025" selon le New York Weekly Magazine. Alexia BORG est entrepreneure, coach certifiée d'état, journaliste, elle est également une présentatrice marquante, redéfinissant le secteur des ressources humaines dans les médias. Elle a travaillé pour des chaînes télé telles que Le Figaro TV et BFM Business ainsi que pour le magazine Forbes France. Célèbre pour son approche humaniste et prospectiviste, elle est suivie par près de 35 000 personnes sur LinkedIn et anime régulièrement des conférences visant à vaincre la solitude professionnelle et personnelle, tout en aidant les individus à se dépasser et retrouver confiance en eux. Alexia est ambassadrice de l'association ActionSolitude, en France et à l'international. Elle figure également dans le "top 20 des femmes entrepreneurs à suivre en 2025" selon le New York Weekly Magazine. 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

À 14 ans, Wassim se lance sur YouTube par curiosité, mais la création de contenus devient rapidement une passion. En deux ans, il réunit plus de 5 000 abonnés. Pourtant, par peur du regard des autres, il abandonne, laissant derrière lui sa communauté et mettant sa passion de côté. En 2023, il décide de reprendre avec une nouvelle approche : des vidéos d’analyse sur l’actualité du football et un podcast, "Trajectoire", où il échange avec des personnalités inspirantes qui tracent leur propre chemin. Son objectif est clair : une fois diplômé, il souhaite vivre pleinement de ses passions et assumer enfin son rôle, celui qu’il aurait toujours dû oser jouer. À 14 ans, Wassim Bouchiouane se lance sur YouTube par curiosité, mais la création de contenus devient rapidement une passion. En deux ans, il réunit plus de 5 000 abonnés. Pourtant, par peur du regard des autres, il abandonne, laissant derrière lui sa communauté et mettant sa passion de côté.En 2023, il décide de reprendre avec une nouvelle approche : des vidéos d’analyse sur l’actualité du football et un podcast, Trajectoire, où il échange avec des personnalités inspirantes qui tracent leur propre chemin.Son objectif est clair : une fois diplômé, vivre pleinement de ses passions et assumer enfin son rôle, celui qu’il aurait toujours dû oser jouer. 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 if the way we talk about purpose is a lie?At TEDxUniversityofPretoria 2025, Leslie Moloto challenges the popular myth that purpose is something you find. Instead, he offers a fresh, physics-inspired perspective — that purpose is something you construct.Through the metaphor of vectors — representing both magnitude (our energy, talents, and passions) and direction (our values and desired impact) — Leslie explores how aligning who we are with what we want to do can turn potential into movement.Drawing from his experiences as an educator and leadership practitioner, he reminds us that purpose isn’t a moment of revelation, but a process of creation — built through small experiments, reflections, and acts of courage.This talk redefines leadership and purpose as dynamic forces that grow and evolve, showing us how to move not just forward, but forward with clarity.#TEDxUniversityofPretoria #Purpose #Leadership #Physics #Kaleidoscopic Leslie Moloto is an educator and leadership practitioner passionate about reimagining learning in Africa. With extensive experience in teaching, curriculum innovation, and design thinking, Leslie has worked with students and teachers from across the continent to spark curiosity, critical thinking, and agency. He leads initiatives that blend technology, leadership, and storytelling to cultivate future-ready leaders. Beyond the classroom, Leslie is committed to creating spaces where bold ideas and contradictions can coexist, driving meaningful conversations that inspire change. His work reflects his belief that education is not just about knowledge transfer, but about shaping societies that thrive in complexity. 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