Dr. Matthew Fairholm explores the difference between management and leadership in public service, urging officials to lead through empowerment rather than control. Using history, metaphor, and principle, he calls for “noble public service” rooted in humility, transparency, and cooperation—where true leadership guides citizens to act for themselves. Dr. Matthew Fairholm is Professor of Public Administration in the Political Science Department and the W. O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership focusing on public administration, leadership studies, and constitutional governance. He has received several teaching and research awards. Before coming to USD he was the Director of Leadership Studies and Development at GWU’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, where he still serves as a Senior Fellow, and before that he worked at the U.S. Department of Energy. His professional outreach involves organizations spanning the public, private, non-profit, and university settings. He has written dozens of technical reports, professional pieces, and peer-reviewed articles that appear in leading journals, and he is the author, with his father, of the book Understanding Leadership Perspectives: Theoretical and Practical Applications (Springer 2009). He also wrote Putting Your Values to Work: Becoming the Leader Others Want to Follow (Praeger 2013). 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 grief wasn’t something to “get over,” but something to understand — even welcome? This talk reimagines grief as a companion rather than an enemy, exploring how loss can become a mirror reflecting the depth of our love. Through poetic language and reflection, it reveals how giving grief words can transform silence into healing. It invites us to see grief as kaleidoscopic — layered, shapeshifting, and profoundly human — where every fragment of pain also holds the light of love. “Grief is not the opposite of love. Grief is love — wearing another face.” #TEDxUniversityofPretoria #Grief #Healing #Poetry #Kaleidoscopic Grace Storm Barnes is a performer, choreographer, spoken word artist, author, and educator whose work explores the intersections of grief, love, and healing through movement, poetry, and performance. She holds a BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre Composition, an MA in Applied Drama, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Drama at the University of Pretoria, where her research, Grief as Poetic Body, investigates mourning as nonlinear, collective, and embodied. Since 2016, Grace has created and toured acclaimed original works including Regression, Slip, Breathe, Wait/Weight, and Grieve, that is how you survive, which premiered at the National Arts Festival in 2024 before touring Cape Town and Ghana. She has also published three poetry collections on love, loss, and grief. Through her practice, Grace crafts multidisciplinary forms that give voice and body to experiences often left unspoken, inviting audiences to reimagine grief as a passage into memory, love, and joy. 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 you stop shrinking yourself to fit into spaces that were never designed for you? In this powerful TEDx talk, Duduzile Mabaso challenges the limits placed on women, dreamers, and change-makers who are told to “tone it down,” “wait their turn,” or “stay in their lane.” Through her personal journey and the stories of trailblazing South African women, she redefines defiance — not as rebellion, but as courage, clarity, and leadership. “Defy” becomes more than a word — it’s an invitation to rise beyond expectations, reclaim your voice, and rewrite the systems that silence potential. Because true transformation doesn’t come from fitting in — it begins when we choose to stand out. #TEDxUniversityofPretoria #Defiance #Leadership #Courage #KaleidoscopicDuduzile Mabaso is a public policy, government affairs, and stakeholder engagement professional with expertise in regulatory affairs, governance, and sustainable development. Holding a Master’s in Political Studies, she develops advocacy strategies, manages partnerships, and advises on policy alignment to drive systemic change.She serves as a Board Member as a Vice Chair of Amnesty International South Africa, championing human rights, youth engagement, and strategic governance. As Founder of the Her Pride Foundation, she leads initiatives on mental health, menstrual equity, and career development for girls in the VAAL.Recognized for her leadership in youth empowerment and gender equality, Duduzile is committed to shaping inclusive policies and sustainable community-driven solutions 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 TEDx talk, Priyaanshoo Shirsat shares his journey from being a 14-year-old beginner in the stock market to becoming one of India’s youngest investment professionals recognized by Moneycontrol. Priyanshoo shirsat is the visionary founder and CEO of Trade Olive India Pvt ltd . A pioneering financial institution company on a mission to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to confidently navigate the world of stock market investing and trading with a magnetic presence both online and off-line Priyanshoo is known for simplifying complex financial concepts and inspiring thousands to take control of their financial futures Veera thriving Instagram community of over 90,000 followers Priyanshoo combines influence with impact building one of the India’s most trusted platforms for stock market Education. His dynamic teaching style and relatable approach have let himself to successfully mentor and educate more and 10,000 students across the country 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

We blame nature for disasters, but the real cause is often our own choices. From floods in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to villages in Jhang, this talk shows how governance, planning, and resilience determine whether hazards become tragedies, or opportunities to adapt. He is the Director of the Center for Disaster Management at UMT, Lahore. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in flood modeling, fluvial transport, and applying spatial technology to disaster management. His work focuses on creating evidence-based policy and decision support systems for climate adaptation in Pakistan. 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

Rhea Haddad est doctorante en psychologie sociale au LAPSCO (Université Clermont-Auvergne) depuis 2021. Ses recherches portent sur la psychologie des foules, et plus précisément sur la manière dont ces contextes collectifs transforment l’experience humaine au quotidien. Elle s’intéresse particulièrement au rôle de l’espace physique partagé dans la formation d’identités émergentes au sein des foules, ainsi qu’à l’impact de ces identités sur les processus de changement social. Rhea Haddad est doctorante en psychologie sociale au LAPSCO (Université Clermont-Auvergne) depuis 2021. 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

Scientific achivements take time. It depends on the intelligence from both men and women. But why the contributions of women are not as recognized as men? Should their achivements be overlooked? Should women's voices be silenced? As a girl who is also interested in technology and science, Ariana Lu wants to redefine the meaning of success, oppertunity, and challenge gender stereotypes. Yilin Lu, also known as Ariana, is a 14-year-old eighth-grade student at BIBA. Her passions include drawing, performing, and playing the piano. This year, she founded her club focused on fashion design and stage performance, where she leads the team in developing designs and setting central themes. She emphasizes the importance of dedication, a value she upholds in all her stage performances.Ariana is also deeply interested in science and technology. She has observed that few women and girls pursue these fields and that their achievements are often overlooked. Through her efforts, she hopes to challenge stereotypes and inspire others to recognize that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to follow their dreams. 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 modern society, we are so focused on rushing forward that we forget to look back. But the past isn't a locked door; it's a tuning fork. When we pause to listen, our present struggles begin to vibrate in harmony with the lessons of history, showing us the way forward. The solution to our future isn't just in front of us—it's echoing behind us. Rachel Han is a 15-year-old ninth-grade student who enjoys writing, crafting, and traveling in her free time. She is currently working on a project to construct a memorial site for the ancient Chinese scholar Han Fei in Zhumadian, Henan Province. Rachel has a deep passion for history and has written numerous speeches on the subject. She believes that history is a continuous journey of turning, pausing, and resuming, with the past always by our side. This perspective resonates strongly with the theme of TEDx, inspiring her to share her thoughts with a wider audience. Through her speech, Rachel hopes to offer a fresh perspective, challenge stereotypes, and reveal the warmth and significance of history. 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

Matthieu Pouget est PhD en arts du spectacle, formateur, comédien et metteur en scène. En tant que formateur il travaille sur le théâtre appliqué pour une utilisation du théâtre dans des espaces non théâtraux avec des structures universitaires et scientifiques comme l'École des docteurs, l'Université de Toulouse, L' Ut2j, le CNRS, le Quai des Savoirs, le concours Ma thèse en. 180 secondes, ainsi que pour des collectivités et des entreprises. Il fait partie du Science Comedy Show Cie Théâtrale de vulgarisation scientifique. Matthieu Pouget est PhD en arts du spectacle, formateur, comédien et metteur en scène. 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

At crucial moments in life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, filled with doubts: Which path is the right one? Should we follow our instincts or rely on reason? In this thought-provoking speech, Steven will guide us into the art of "choice". I will combine real cases and unique insights to share how to find direction in confusion, how to maintain clear thinking in complex decisions, and ultimately how to grasp the initiative in shaping our lives. Steven Zhang Mingcheng is a 15-year-old ninth-grade student with a passion for business competitions, basketball, and cycling. He is a member of BIBA's Chess Club, the EBC Club, and actively participates in debate and academic competitions such as NHSDLC, Zonghengbei Debate Competition, MEC, Asdan All-Star, and WSC. Steven has always been fascinated by how people make decisions. Observing teachers, parents, and leaders, he is captivated by those who remain calm and make clear judgments under pressure. Through his TEDx experience, Steven hopes to share his perspective on decision-making from the viewpoint of his generation, offering unique insights to audiences of all ages. 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