Intrigued by a 1936 photograph of a single man refusing to salute Hitler, Luke Burgis spent 15 years exploring why we lose ourselves in groups—even healthy ones. Drawing from philosopher René Girard's theory of "mimetic desire" and his own experience in a Roman seminary with 250 men dressed identically, he reveals three anti-mimetic tactics to help us navigate the tension between belonging and staying true to ourselves. Luke Burgis is a veteran entrepreneur, professor of business, and bestselling author of Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life. He is Founding Director of The Cluny Institute. 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

Community planning consultant Har Ye Kan explores how cities transform challenges into opportunities, drawing from Holland's downtown revival and Singapore's evolution from island villages to modern metropolis. Through the lens of "framework thinking"—a process developed with mentor Bill Johnson—she reveals how communities thrive by balancing visionary leadership with pragmatic action, zooming between big-picture strategy and small-scale details. Har Ye Kan grew up in Singapore and is now a community planning and design consultant based in West Michigan. She is also a wife, a mother, a bridge builder, and a history buff. Har Ye loves learning about different communities and coming alongside them to discover possibilities for visionary and achievable outcomes. 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 a world of constant scrolling, comparing, and seeking validation, many of us are caught in invisible loops. This talk uses the lens of coding to explore how these mental “infinite loops” limit our growth and how awareness can help us rewrite them. Sometimes, breaking free doesn’t mean a revolution; it starts with one small moment of realization your personal exit condition. He is a dynamic and forward-thinking professional currently serving as the Program Manager for Social Impact & Entrepreneurship at WE Hub Foundation, Hyderabad—a government-backed initiative in Telangana. His academic foundation is rooted in a Master’s in Construction Management, which has equipped him with a blend of technical and strategic expertise to excel in diverse leadership roles 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

En esta charla íntima y reveladora, Noah, un joven de 16 años, desarma con honestidad cruda la pregunta que muchos evitan: ¿quién eres?. Con frescura y sabiduría precoz, cuestiona las etiquetas sociales —nombre, edad, profesión— y revela cómo su propia transición de género, los divorcios, mudanzas y pérdidas han sido ladrillos en la construcción de su identidad.A través de anécdotas conmovedoras y reflexiones apoyadas en el psicólogo Tomás Donato, Noah nos recuerda que la identidad no es un destino, sino un viaje. Un llamado a abandonar la comodidad del "soy así" para abrazar la belleza inacabada de reinventarse cada día. Noah Pinilla, tiene 16 años, estudiante, Speaker TEDxPreludioYouth, emprendedora. Le fascina la idea de ayudar a todos los seres vivos, incluidos los humanos. 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 25 years working in sustainability across for-profit, nonprofit, and city government sectors, Dan Broersma has learned what actually works. Drawing from real experiences—like discovering a school's wasteful lighting system while investigating recycling—he reveals six practical steps any organization can take to build stronger, more sustainable programs. Dan, with over 25 years of experience in sustainability, leads the development and execution of community-focused environmental sustainability initiatives. As the City of Holland’s first Sustainability Manager, he helps individuals, organizations, and communities identify and develop sustainable opportunities and policies to benefit and serve the residents of Holland.A published author of the book ‘Practical Sustainability,’ Dan lives in Holland, with his wife and two children. He is passionate about faith, community, and sustainability and firmly believes that all three are interconnected and is passionate about bringing them all together. 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 happens when humanitarianism stops being about humans — and becomes a tool of control, profit, and spectacle?In this provocative and deeply analytical talk, we explore the paradox of New Humanitarianism — a system where compassion is commodified, justice is aestheticized, and suffering becomes a managed industry.Drawing from jurisprudence, critical legal theory, and human rights discourse, this talk dissects how modern humanitarian narratives often mask material interests and political hierarchies under the guise of benevolence. Prof. (Dr.) Ashish Virk is a distinguished legal academic, serving as a professor of laws at the University Institute of Laws, Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana, and as Principal (additional charge) at Panjab University Constituent College, Karyal. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in jurisprudence, human rights, and constitutional law. A PH.D. holder from GNDU, Amritsar, she has authored over 45 publications and two books. She actively mentors’ researchers, contributes to legal academia, and engages in seminars, moot courts, and legal aid projects across 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