Shekhar delivers a compelling narrative on how an inclusive future goes beyond the usual discourse on gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic marginalisation, by focusing on the importance of shifting perspectives on technology and pollution. He argues how we need to redefine inclusivity and innovation by changing our views on waste, unlock their hidden value and bringing innovation directly to areas and people most affected by waste pollution, as well as encouraging these people to turn waste into a resource that creates new economic systems, jobs and opportunities. Shekhar is a Year 10 student at POWIIS. He is deeply interested in public speaking and acting, and has participated in almost every school play and speech competitions at school since his admission. He is also a student leader with a strong belief in empowering others to achieve success on a similar level as he has. 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

Using an unusual delivery combining comedy and audience interaction, Dr. Sheikh warns us about the hidden traps of procrastination and debunks the myth of being only able to achieve when motivated. Instead, he suggests practical methods that can be employed by all to differentiate between real difficulty and procrastination, and to get tasks accomplished efficiently and effectively. Spanning more than twenty years, Dr. Sheikh has an accomplished career teaching Science as well as leading schools in UK, Bahrain, China and Malaysia. Currently teaching chemistry and Assistant Curriculum Leader of the Science faculty at POWIIS, he is a public speaking enthusiast with a knack of presenting usual ideas in an unusual way. He believes strongly in teaching for a sustainable world and has been pivotal to the school's environmental initiatives. He is also a Sixth Form tutor who strives to prepare his students not only for university, but to challenge their worldview and expand their perpsectives to embrace the dynamism of the post-modern world. 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

Many people have rigid life blueprints, going from goal to goal. However, true self actualisation begins when the blueprint changes or falls apart. Mawar shares in her talk through her personal recollection, how self-actualisation is not about who you planned to be, but rather discovering who you are capable of becoming. In the face of grief, Mawar develops her inner resilience, which drove her towards poetry and uncovering her hidden talents and unexpected lifepath in that field. Mawar was a teacher trainer and after retirement, continues to serve in the education field as a librarian at POWIIS. She is also an accomplished poet who has been recognised at various festivals and literary awards around the world. Her works has been translated to Spanish and Turkish, reaching readers across various regions. She has been invited to participate in many literary festivals including Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, Romania, Argentina, and presently Slovenia.She serves as the official translator for the Malim Literary Village at Pangkor International Poetry and Folk Song Festival, Malaysia, and acts as an international liaison, inviting poets from around the world and coordinating international literary exchanges. She is also the Vice President of the Penang Creative Circle, a member of the Penang Arts Council, as well as a member of Poets of the Planet. 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

When students learn the many subjects at school, they always question if they will ever use any of the knowledge and skills learnt. Afzan shares how the content learnt in classrooms are integrated into our lives. More importantly, he emphasizes the importance of how the various subjects shape diverse thinking approaches that stick with us for life. Afzan is currently a Sixth Form student at POWIIS. He is a head student and throughout the years, has won accolades in the debate event of the World Scholar's Cup as well as various public speaking competitions. 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

Drawing from her personal story of being labeled "unadoptable" as an infant, Bethanie Nonami reveals that the AI revolution is not a technical evolution but a human one—challenging us to reject systemic labels and ensure every voice has a place in the digital future. Bethanie Nonami is an AI strategist, speaker, and advocate for more human-centered innovation in the age of artificial intelligence.Her work explores the intersection of technology, identity, leadership, and human potential — helping people navigate a future that is changing faster than most of us feel prepared for.Known for making complex ideas deeply personal and accessible, Bethanie challenges audiences to think beyond productivity and ask bigger questions about trust, access, creativity, and what it truly means to remain human in an AI-driven world. 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

Mauricio en su charla, "Desordenadamente Humano", nos comparte una idea clave: el caos no es un obstáculo, es una oportunidad. Nos invita a actuar sin esperar lo perfecto, porque en la incertidumbre descubrimos quiénes podemos ser. Mauricio Rodríguez es estudiante de Dirección Financiera en la Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro y un apasionado por crear proyectos que generen impacto en las personas. A lo largo de su formación se ha involucrado en iniciativas de liderazgo, emprendimiento e impacto social, participando en programas como Genera, colaboraciones con Luis Mi Negocios y voluntariados como Soñar Despierto.Se caracteriza por buscar retos en ámbitos entre el deporte, la música y la organización de proyectos. 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 su charla “El privilegio de tocar fondo”, Luis comparte cómo las caídas y los momentos de incertidumbre pueden convertirse en el punto de partida para volver a construir y descubrir nuevas maneras de ver el mundo. Convencido de que las ideas más raras y auténticas pueden cambiar al mundo, Luis Vega estudia la licenciatura en Dirección de Empresas del Entretenimiento en la Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro. Es fundador de Distophia Lab, un laboratorio creativo especializado en marketing experiencial y desarrollo estratégico de marcas, donde transforma ideas fuera de lo convencional en experiencias y estrategias que realmente funcionan. 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

Religion has shaped America's history—for both its greatest achievements and its deepest injustices. Drawing on her work as a cultural anthropologist and Dean of Harvard Divinity School, the speaker explores how faith has been used throughout history to justify oppression while also inspiring movements for abolition, civil rights, education, and human dignity. Through stories spanning Frederick Douglass, the First Amendment, and the founding of historically Black colleges, she argues that religion can either divide societies or help build a more just and compassionate future. As America looks toward its next 250 years, this powerful talk calls for leaders who place humanity, dignity, and respect at the center of democracy. Marla Frederick is a leading ethnographer and scholar focused on the African American religious experience. She became the eighteenth Dean of Harvard Divinity School on January 1, 2024.Frederick employs an interdisciplinary approach to examining the ways religion, race, and politics impact our everyday lives. Her influential scholarship is principally focused on the study of religion and media, religion and social activism in the U.S. South, and the sustainability of Black institutions in a “post-racial” world.From 2019 to 2023, Frederick served as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion and Culture at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She served on the Harvard faculty from 2003 to 2019, including as an assistant professor in the Department of African and African American Studies, with a joint appointment on the Committee on the Study of Religion. In 2008, she was named the Morris Kahn Associate Professor and then as a tenured professor in 2010.In addition to her faculty appointments at Harvard, Frederick served in a variety of leadership roles, including as interim chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion, a member of the provost’s academic leadership forum, and as director of graduate studies and chair of the admissions committee for the Department of African and African American Studies.She is the author or co-author of four books, including Colored Television: American Religion Gone Global and Between Sundays: Black Women and Everyday Struggles of Faith. As general editor, she is currently curating, alongside five co-editors, an encyclopedia of the histories of historically Black colleges and universities. She has taught courses on the anthropology of religion; religion, gender, and race; the African American experience; and American evangelicalism.Frederick was the 2008-09 Joy Foundation Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. In 2016, she received a Harvard College Professor Distinguished Teaching Award. She also served as president of the American Academy of Religion in 2021 and has been president of the Association of Black Anthropologists. 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

Karen con su charla, "Vivir en el Gris", propone que aceptar la imperfección permite encontrar crecimiento en la incertidumbre. Karen Becerril Arnaiz es egresada de la Licenciatura en Psicología en y de la Maestría en Psicología Clínica en la Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro. Se encuentra estudiando cursos sobre el abordaje integral en Psicología de la Alimentación y Psiconutrición, así como el estudio de la mujer, explorando la interacción en procesos biológicos, hormonales y psicológicos.Su trabajo se centra en salud mental, desarrollo humano y educación, abordando temas como la ansiedad, el perfeccionismo, la autoexigencia y el valor personal en contextos de comparación social. Su enfoque, desde su experiencia clínica y personal, cuestiona las presiones del éxito y la perfección. 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 this talk, Edward McNeal Jr. explores how controlled discomfort can transform learning and team growth. He shares how intentionally challenging environments build trust, accelerate skills, and prepare individuals for real-world challenges.The audience will discover practical ways to foster deeper connection, resilience, and performance in classrooms, workplaces, and communities.Edward McNeal Jr. is the Corporate Trainer for the Taylor Automotive Family, where he has served for nearly 26 years. He holds degrees in Education and English from Bowling Green State University and Wake Forest University. Ed leads trainings through his company, Brain Empowerment, and teaches youth and adults in both professional and faith-based settings. He is a 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipient and a seasoned Toastmasters competitor. Above all, Ed sees teaching as his life’s calling and finds joy in helping others grow. He and his wife Kim have three children and a beloved shorkie. 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