The Distance Between Being Seen and Being Heard | Esohe Ekunwe | TEDxTanke
We've been taught to celebrate "a seat at the table" as the ultimate win for inclusion. But what happens when you're in the room and no one is listening? Drawing from her experiences in national policy-making and global forums, Esohe challenges the superficiality of performative inclusion. She argues that presence is not power and that true inclusion demands more than just visibility; it requires the authority to influence decisions and shape outcomes.With poignant stories about being tokenized as a youth representative and leading an initiative that unintentionally excluded others, she reveals that genuine progress lies not in who is invited, but in who is empowered to lead. This talk is a powerful call to move beyond optics and confront the uncomfortable truth that inclusion without power is merely an illusion. Esohe Ekunwe is a Systems Development Architect and Gender and Digital Inclusion Strategist reimagining how policies, technologies, and development programmes serve women, youth, and historically excluded communities.As Chair of the Green and Digital Economy Committee of the European Union Youth Sounding Board Nigeria, she contributes to national policymaking through a youth-led, equity-focused lens. Her work has equipped over 5,000 women, girls, and youth with digital and financial skills. A Future Awards Africa winner and dedicated trainer and mentor, Esohe believes inclusion must be structural - built into the very fabric of institutions, not just spoken about. 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
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